Now that the dust has settled, the Miami Heat need Tyler Herro to bounce back from trade discussions and take another leap this season.
After a long summer being in trade rumors, Tyler Herro survived the Damian Lillard trade. The hope going into the season is that he’ll be able to put the speculation behind him and, this week, Herro hasn’t shied away from answering questions about his place on the team. In fact, you could even say he seemed in good spirits.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from his media day availability.
Tyler Herro has a plan for how to improve his game: “More drives, more free throws, more 3s.”
But does he expect to start at point guard after the Heat tried and failed to land Lillard and Jrue Holiday in recent days?
“I haven’t really thought much about playing point,” Herro said. “We have a lot of guys who can play different positions. A bunch of guys can handle a bunch of guys can get into the offense.”
For Herro to take another leap, it will come from attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line. If Herro can get to the line at least four times a game, then it will keep the defense on their heels more defending Herro. With Miami’s point guard situation up in the air, Herro will get some reps at the point. Like Herro said, Miami has a lot of guys who can get into an offense.
“I’m in a great mindset,” Herro told reporters. “For myself and for my teammates, I’m ready to roll.”
Herro hasn’t played since April, notably being absent for Miami’s Finals run with a broken hand he suffered in the team’s first playoff game.
“It was very tough,” Herro said of not being able to contribute in the playoffs. “Just being the competitor I am, being a large part of the team, I wanted to be out there.”
With being in trade rumors for the whole summer, It seems that Herro just wants to get back on the court from a long layoff, getting injured during the first playoff game, and missing Miami’s whole finale run. Based on his comments, Herro wants to get back to playing basketball. Herro also said he wasn’t “100% ready” to come back until a month after the season ended.
“I’m not gonna say too much, I know my value,” Herro said. “For the teams that didn’t want me, that’s on you. For the teams that do want me, you’ll see why you want me.”
Sizzle! Comments like this from Herro acknowledge the very real trade conversations that took place this summer and that he aims to use that chatter as fuel.
Miami wanted to trade him as the centerpiece of a Lillard deal, but Portland didn’t want him. The result was a months-long debate about Herro’s trade value. Between that and his absence for the Finals run, his value has never been more polarizing.
You have to feel for Herro who, after his rookie year, has been in trade rumors every summer. Herro seems to have a good attitude and is ready to get back on the court to help Miami win games and remind people how good he is. For Herro, there are a lot of people to prove wrong this season.