For the Miami Heat to make a deeper playoff run with their current roster, Tyler Herro needs to be at his best. The 24-year-old guard has shown consistent improvement since his rookie season, but his trade value hasn’t reached the level necessary to bring back a star player. The organization, however, views him as too valuable to trade for anything less than an All-Star, putting Pat Riley and the Heat front office in a challenging position over recent offseasons. It appears the Heat will stick with their core—for better or worse.
To fully realize his potential, Herro must enhance his game in several key areas. If he can make these improvements, he could help the Heat avoid a third consecutive play-in tournament appearance and possibly even earn an All-Star selection next season. Here are the three critical areas where Herro needs to improve:
Pacing
The Miami Heat typically play at a slow pace, ranking among the bottom two teams in pace during both the regular season and the playoffs. While a slower pace and more controlled offensive possessions can be beneficial—exemplified by the Dallas Mavericks’ success in reaching the NBA Finals—matchups matter.
The Boston Celtics, who eliminated the Heat in the playoffs and went on to win the 2024 NBA championship, excelled with their impressive defense and ability to switch everything. Scoring against a set Boston defense is difficult, but running in transition and playing with pace can counter this.
Tyler Herro is one of the players on the Heat who can control the pace of the offense. He has the skill and playmaking ability to make quick decisions. The Heat have the pieces to be effective in transition—Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo are all great initiators and scorers in transition. However, the Heat often choose not to run.
Faster possessions mean more possessions, which is increasingly important in the 3-point era. Herro can drive this change for the Heat.
Durability
To be a reliable contributor, Herro needs to improve his durability. Staying healthy throughout the season is crucial for both him and the team. This involves maintaining his physical condition and avoiding injuries that have sidelined him in the past.
Consistency
Consistency is key for Herro. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, maintaining a high level of performance throughout the season is essential. This means delivering in crucial moments, reducing turnovers, and improving his shooting efficiency.
If Tyler Herro can make strides in pacing, durability, and consistency, he will not only elevate his game but also significantly boost the Miami Heat’s chances of making a deeper playoff run. The organization believes in his potential, and now it’s up to Herro to deliver.
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