Tyler Herro has rebounded from a difficult season to become the NBA’s leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, and he said the trials of last season inspired him, writes Wes Goldberg of The Miami Herald. Herro made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2019/20, helping the Heat reach the NBA Finals. But that was followed by a short offseason and then a second season where nothing came as easily.
“If last year didn’t happen I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at right now,” Herro said. “I just took it as motivation to get myself better, mentally and physically.”
Miami made Herro its starting point guard at the beginning of last season, but he only held the job for 14 games before being sent back to the bench. A few months after being hailed as a rookie sensation, he was frequently mentioned as trade bait, with rumors lasting throughout the summer. With a more standard offseason to work on his game, Herro improved his play-making and now handles that role for the second unit.
“It’s a lot mentally to try to block the noise out,” Herro said. “I knew that I would eventually get to an offseason where I could relax and decompress and get myself back to where I wanted to be.”
There’s more from Miami:
- Duncan Robinson credits former NBA guard J.J. Redick for helping him stay confident when his shot wasn’t falling earlier this season, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Robinson was feeling pressure to deliver after signing a $90MM contract, but Redick told him to relax and keep shooting. “He’s seen it all in this league, offered me some words of encouragement,” Robinson said. “His advice stuck. I talked to Redick. I talked to a bunch of people. I’m fortunate to have a lot of people in my corner willing to lend a word and ear, whatever I need.”
- On Friday, coach Erik Spoelstra used Markieff Morris as the backup center in place of Dewayne Dedmon for the second time this week, Jackson observes in the same piece. Caleb Martin understands that other players have to help on the glass when the team employs a small-ball lineup, saying they need to show “pride on the perimeter to get more rebounds. We’ve got to do more jobs as wings to try to help the bigs.”
- Spoelstra would like to give P.J. Tucker some rest before the playoffs, but the veteran forward isn’t on board, Jackson adds. “Every time I’ve suggested it, he’ll just laugh in my face,” Spoelstra said. “Sometimes he’ll scowl at me. With the schedule right now, I don’t think we have to [rest him]. We’ll see when we get there.”
Really is time to move off Robinson quickly this offseason. I’d also really consider trading Lowry aswell. I can either his production dropping off dramatically or another injury really making that deal look terrible.
I’d suggest,
Kyle Lowry and a second for Julius Randle
and
Duncan Robinson and a protected first for Colin Sexton in a sign and trade
Knicks need a point guard that can run the offence and help the young guys. Kemba was supposed to be that guy but he isn’t and he will be moved on.
Cavs, Sexton won’t be starting with Garland and LeVert looking good especially Darius taking his game to another level. They need a sharpshooting wing that can defend and Duncan Robinson gives them exactly that plus they get a first round pick.
For the Heat, line up Sexton Oladipo Butler Randle Bam and a bench of Strus/Vincent Herro Martin Tucker Yurtseven/Dedmon.
I know I know Lowry is key to this team and so is Robinson but if you can’t get it done now you won’t in the future with this team. Lowry is 35, Tucker is 36, UH is 41, Butler is 32 yes you have Herro and Bam on the come up but the two time lines are just to far apart unfortunately. Lowry and Robinson are collecting to much money and you need to look in other ways moving forward that can help you progress further.
I think Colin Sexton could be a perfect fit in Miami with Butler and those boys. He plays really physical, in your face, can shoot really well, can play on or off ball, and has potential to get even better. Would be a huge get.
Julius Randle exactly the same thing. He’s been often criticised in NY under Thibs this season. It looks like he’s just wants to win and not deal with everything extra in NY. He’s one of the best in his position and would make a great big man tandem with Bam. He can pass, he can shoot, he can dribble, he can post you up, he’s physical and he gets rebounds. He would suit Minaj and playing his role behind Butler and Bam. Would drop 20-10-4 regularly, wouldn’t have to deal with the media as often and can walk his way into the playoffs every year.
Going forward you may lose a couple more games next year with new members taking time to gel but you’d be a lot younger and filled with a lot more potential.
So just get rid of as much as possible of the little space the Heat have on the floor. Sounds like smart decision making
Get rid of the space?
I’m guessing your talking about three pint shooting?
Lowry is shooting 35% from three and Robinson is shooting 37%.
Sexton is a career 38% from three shooter and Randle is a 33% shooter obviously being a big man it’s not going to be as good but it’s still alright. Just last season he shot 40% from three.
If spacing is your concern then that’s Jimmy Butlers fault, Hes shooting 2 attempts from deep and this season is only connecting at 19%. Victor Oladipo he’s also just return back from injury and is currently shooting 22% from deep, which is way down from his career average of 35%.
Yes the shooting and spacing takes a hit but so be it. This team as currently constructed won’t get them the title and as they get older they get further and further away. They need to bring in some younger and fresher legs.
Sexton and Randle would be great additions at a low cost
Robinson has shot 40% from 3 for 45 games…he had a rough first 12 games, but has been fine if you look at his last 25, 35, 45 games, and has been better in every other area as well
Most of Butler’s attempts came in just a couple of games, so I dont really care about his percentage, but ya, he obviously doesnt shoot it, so you need gius around him who do, but most importantly…
Those trades would leave the Heat with too many guys that need the ball in their hands, as well as lack of shooting around them. This takes 1 of their biggest issues and makes it a lot worse, while admittedly helping a bit in 1 of their weaker issues at the 4
Also not a fan of Herro/Sexton together
Regardless, a lot to potentially happen between now and when free agency starts. The roster might look drastically different next season, and it might make sense to trade Robinson and/or Lowry for certain reasons, but especially with Robinson, I’m not moving him unless the roster does drastically change, and it depends on what that looks like
“Great additions” “at a low cost”
Man, u don’t know jack about the Heat
We wouldn’t take Randle if he was gifted and we don’t give up on players in less than a season
I’ll give u credit for ratcheting this thread up with your bs views
Riley will definitely be trading this off season. Though Robinson spreads the floor, they need to upgrade at forward… they get Randle off of a down season, but would have to think about trading Lowry… they do have Strus, in Robinson’s spot…. Sexton coming off injury, would rather pay Herro, not maxing out Sexton, Cavs don’t want to pay him….
Morris at the 5 isnt a revelation. I’ve been talking about it since they signed him, in the small sample of games he played, and while he was injured, as well as his first game back. I was happy to see them not mess around with Morris in multi-big lineups in the 1st half, and just go directly to him at the 5, in that matchup. That’s necessary against teams like Milwaukee, where they have issues against lineups with Portis or Giannis at the 5…as I’ve said, Morris can still play some at the 4 in certain matchups, but in reality, he is much better used as a small ball 5, if they’re going to use him
I also still dont get how we can continue to ride the narrative that Duncan Robinson has been bad all year. Only way to say that with a straight face is not paying attention beyond the first 12 games of the season
This is by far the best Herro has been. Not only has he finally passed the positive box plus/minus line, he is approaching the +1 range, which is a very significant upgrade from where he was previously. These last 16 games are a big reason why, but he has shown glimpses and stretches throughout the season
It’s not that’s he’s been bad all year it’s just he hasn’t been good. All his stats are down, points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. His shooting percentages are both down and that’s coming off the back of giving him a pretty sizeable contract.
He definitely started poorly and has managed to turn it around but you’d think for 15mil a season on a roster with championship aspirations you’d get more than 11-3-2
He has been better in every other area this year, and the shooting has been more normal when you take out those first 12-22 games. Percentages are also down throughout the league, so that is something to also consider.
I also should mention, again, that there are many times where he is being chased off/run off screens by 2-3 people, so even when he isnt knocking down shots, he is creating so much space, which is super important for Butler and Bam. If anything, I wish he would shoot more. You wouldn’t see Klay Thompson pump faking on some of the looks he doesnt take
The Heat are the #1 seed in the tough East. Every team goes thru some adversity. Considering most counted out the Heat after last yr. I’d say they are fine. And with a vet team. They know what’s ahead. And what needs to get done. Out of top 6 teams in East. Heat have best conference record. And best home record. Heat are true contenders.
Interesting how Victor Olidipo performs down the stretch and how he performs in playoff rotations… can he play more than 15 minutes, play back to back games… As a combo guard can he get his 3 pt stroke back? He always attacks the rim and tough on D historically… If the Heat have confidence in him, they will resign him, extend Tyler, resign Caleb Martin… and make trades in the off season… Need a starting forward, move PJ to the bench…