Tyler Herro performs in Miami Heat Loss

Oct 6

The NBA preseason has started, and in Miami’s first showing against the Timberwolves, Tyler Herro led the team in scoring with 30 points. The scoring night can hopefully be the first of many. After signing to a four-year, $130 million extension Monday, Miami is hoping he can take a more significant step offensively and potentially even usurp their current supermax player Jimmy Butler. Miami needs an offensive push if they’re to contend in the steepening eastern conference.

The Eastern Conference Finals run last season featured Butler being the only 15-plus point scorer. The team was severely limited offensively against the Boston Celtics. Miami holds itself up to its stout defense year after year. However, it’s shown itself year after year; who else can score in bunches outside of Butler? With Butler growing older, it’ll be harder and harder for Miami to contend without another player stepping up. In the Eastern Conference, top-end talent is getting better and better every year.

According to Five Thirty-Eight’s player projection, Herro could show himself to be a future All-Star, having a peak of 5.7 wins above his replacement. After a sophomore slump, Herro exploded in his junior season, reaching the 20 PPG mark on the season and ultimately winning the Sixth Man of the Year award. One can only hope he can grow as a player in his fourth campaign, and with his 23rd birthday coming later in January, he still has time to reach the ceiling Heat fans all hope he has.