Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro had a standout season in 2021-22, marking what many consider the best performance of his career to date. He earned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. Notably, Herro spent most of the season coming off the bench, which raises an important question: Is Herro more effective as a reserve player?
The statistics from that season suggest that Herro thrived in a bench role. The Miami Heat secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the conference finals, ultimately falling to the Boston Celtics in a closely contested Game 7. The Heat were one shot away from making it to the NBA Finals, with Jimmy Butler narrowly missing a three-pointer that would have sent them to compete for the championship against the Golden State Warriors. During that season, Herro’s contributions were widely praised, and his role as a reserve seemed pivotal to the team’s success.
Despite his success off the bench, Herro transitioned back to the starting lineup the following season. However, there is an argument to be made that Herro might be better suited as a sixth man. He has already recorded three of the top performances by a Heat player coming off the bench, highlighting his capability to provide a significant impact in that role.
Even Udonis Haslem, a Miami Heat legend, believes that Herro excels as a non-starter. During an ESPN appearance in May, Haslem expressed his support for Herro continuing in the sixth man role, emphasizing the potential benefits for both Herro and the team. Haslem noted, “I think for Tyler, his role, I think he’s great as a sixth man, and when he won Sixth Man of the Year, I think that’s a great role for Tyler. I think moving into the future in today’s NBA, you can still be a sixth man, you can still get all your money.”
Since winning the Sixth Man of the Year award, Herro has started in all but two of his 109 regular-season games over the subsequent two seasons. With stars like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier in the starting lineup, there is an opportunity for Herro to revert to his role off the bench, where he can continue to provide a spark and maintain the team’s depth.
Haslem further elaborated on the team’s chemistry with Herro as a reserve, saying, “I take nothing away from what Tyler does as a basketball player. But for our chemistry, we’re better when we have Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup making plays, being a trigger for us, and spreading and creating for other guys.” This statement underscores the potential strategic advantage of having Herro come off the bench, allowing other key players to maximize their impact in the starting lineup.
In conclusion, while Tyler Herro has proven his capability as a starter, his performance and the team’s success during his tenure as a sixth man suggest that he might be more effective in that role. By coming off the bench, Herro can provide the Miami Heat with crucial scoring and energy, enhancing the team’s overall chemistry and performance. As the Heat continue to pursue success in the NBA, utilizing Herro as a reserve could be a strategic move that benefits both the player and the team.
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