In his three seasons in the NBA, Tyler Herro has gone from a promising rookie to a potential rising star.
Last season, he was rewarded for his improvement with the Sixth Man of the Year award as his Miami Heat came to within minutes of reaching the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons.
However, Herro isn’t content with being a sixth man – he wants to be a starter and prove that he is better than what he has shown thus far.
Tyler Herro says he deserves to start
“I’m a young great player coming up in this league and which one isn’t starting? I was the only one that wasn’t starting.”
(Via The Miami Herald) pic.twitter.com/xeZBqZ19Fb
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 19, 2022
The University of Kentucky product hasn’t exactly been bashful about how prolific he thinks he can be if only he were fully unleashed.
“I’m quicker, stronger, smarter, more experienced. I think every year, just like my offense gets better, I think my defense gets better, too.”
– Tyler Herro pic.twitter.com/Ov80hhGyS4
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) October 19, 2022
"I got everything to be a starter"
– Tyler Herro pic.twitter.com/5jHuPL3I6C
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) October 14, 2022
The generally accepted rule with suck talk is that as long as someone backs it up, it is not arrogance or braggadocio by any means.
On Wednesday night, the Heat opened up their regular season schedule by playing the Chicago Bulls at FTX Arena, and although they lost, 116-108, Herro looked about as good as he has said he is.
He was in the starting lineup as he wanted, and he posted 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point land.
8 points in less than 3 minutes: is that good?
Tyler Herro has started HOT ♨️ pic.twitter.com/788Qia4yOQ
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) October 19, 2022
Boy Wonder never ceases to amaze 🤩@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/gpdxlS1ptB
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) October 20, 2022
The big problem Miami has had over the last few years is offensive firepower, as Jimmy Butler has found himself on an island, so to speak, in some of the biggest games and moments.
The Boston Celtics were able to expose this weakness in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, and as a result, the Heat scored under 100 points in three of the final four games of the series, as well as less than 85 points in two of those contests.
Last season, Herro averaged 20.7 points per game, and if he significantly increases that mark again, perhaps they can get over the hump this time around.
NEXT: Miami Heat Star Is Prepared For A Big Year