Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat remain rightly confident in the young scorer’s knack for lacing the nets.
The 24-year-old shooting guard has enjoyed an All-Star-esque leap this season but has slightly slumped since inarguably the finest 10-game stretch of his career. Herro opened the season averaging 24.9 points on 50.9 percent overall shooting and a 47.9 percent clip on 3s. Doing so made him the fourth player in team history to open a season averaging 24 points and shooting at least 50 percent through 10 games, joining teammate Jimmy Butler (October-November 2021), LeBron James (three times, because of course) and Dwyane Wade (November 2004).
Since then, though? Herro has remained consistently effective, but his game has changed some to ensure Miami’s offense remains afloat. He’s still scoring at an effective clip, but his efficiency has dipped. In some cases, Herro has reacted to new defensive attention by spreading the ball a bit more. During that aforementioned opening stretch, according to NBA.com, he shot 53.7 percent against tight defenses but has seen that mark decrease to 42.3 since Nov. 15. Overall, Herro has actually found better luck when attacking the basket, but his jumper’s efficiency has suffered in recent weeks.
Tyler Herro FG Pct By Shot Type
| First 10 Games | Last 9 Games | |
|---|---|---|
|
Restricted area |
54.5 |
59 |
|
Catch-and-shoot 3s |
50 |
32.7 |
|
Pull-up 3s |
45.2 |
34.9 |
|
Jump shot |
51.2 |
36.6 |
Herro maintains his usual shot diet but continues growing confident in breaking down defenses intent on stopping his offense. He’s averaging 48.6 passes per game since Nov. 13, trailing only Bam Adebayo (51.1) for the team lead. Despite his slight shooting regression, Miami is averaging .311 points per Herro touch in the last nine games — that mark is higher than the likes of Jayson Tatum (.309), Tyrese Maxey (.294) and Damian Lillard (.287) over that span.
Here, in an example against the Phoenix Suns last month, the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year catches the pass on the strong side as four defenders eye him. From there, Herro wiggles himself free and meanders through Phoenix’s defense as Tyus Jones allows Butler to cut to the basket for a timely Herro dime.
On Nov. 18, when Butler returned from a four-game absence following an ankle injury, Herro was met at the top of the key by Caleb Martin of the Philadelphia 76ers with Joel Embiid not far behind. With Butler off in the corner, Herro perfectly timed his teammate’s cut for an easy alley-oop finish.
Later in that same game, Herro catches a pass from Kevin Love before Paul George closes out to contest the potential shot. Miami’s leading scorer read Philly’s scrambling and reacted with a one-dribble look for a wide-open Love 3.
Speaking of 3s, Herro is still comfortably hoisting his attempts often enough to make history. On Sunday, he passed Tim Hardaway (806) for second place on Miami’s list for most made 3s. Duncan Robinson is the franchise’s all-time leader in 3-point makes, with 1,056. Now at 810 and counting, the sixth-year veteran was asked how it feels to inch closer to Heat lore as he continues crafting ways to put the ball into the basket.
“Nothing yet — gotta be No. 1,” Herro said. “I’ll be chasing him for a while …. I know how good of a shooter Duncan is, as well. It does mean something to me to be No. 2, for sure — especially behind a guy like him. With how much 3s he shoots, and how good he’s able to shoot them at a high clip, so very proud to be behind him.”
Entering Wednesday sitting seventh in the East, Miami is still seeking its best extended stretch of play. It ranks 20th in offensive efficiency (111.7 points per 100 possessions), but it grows to 114.8 when Herro, Butler and Adebayo share the court (282 minutes, 7-7 record). Such a figure would tie the Sacramento Kings for a top-seven offense in the NBA, but most basketball teams need five players, so it remains to be seen how Miami will embolden its scoring beyond its top three contributors.
However, as the Heat seek more offense, Butler remains among those readily confident in Herro’s knack for reading defenses and putting points on the board. After Miami’s defeat against Philadelphia several weeks ago, the five-time All-NBA selection offered high praise to Herro in a way only Butler earnestly can.
“He’s a prolific scorer and can score on all levels,” Butler said of Herro. “It’s actually really impressive. … He’s without a doubt one of the best scorers on this team. I’m not gonna say he’s the best, but he can get a bucket — that’s for damn sure.”
There is a sound chance Herro can earn his first career All-Star selection this season. He’s one of 10 guards averaging at least 20 points with a true shooting percentage of at least 60. The others? Lillard, Irving, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Darius Garland, Cam Thomas, Norman Powell and Jalen Williams. Herro would join Butler and James (both three times) as the only Heat players to do so over a full season.
As his breakout season continues unfolding, the Boy Wonder continues illustrating different ways Miami has needed a hero.
(Top photo: Andrew Lahodynskyj / Getty Images )
