Miami Heat: Tyler Herro is making a strong case for All-Star consideration

Tyler Herro is playing at an All-Star level, and he has the Miami Heat buzzing. 

Heading into this season, especially for Miami Heat fans, all eyes were on Tyler Herro. After impressing in the NBA’s playoff bubble during his rookie season, Herro didn’t exactly make the professional jump that many expected him to during his sophomore season a year ago.

His “step back” not only left a sour taste for fans, but also general managers across the league. So much so that Herro became somewhat of a warning of how teams are not to overvalue their assets/young players.

However, after public criticism and Heat from both the fan base and those in charge in Miami, Herro did exactly what he should’ve done. He returned from the offseason with added muscle and a new, fresh outlook.

At least thus far, it’s paid off mightily. Thorugh the first month of the season, Herro has become a favorite to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, a contender to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award, and a key cog for the Heat’s early-season success.

Herro is averaging 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists on career-high shooting percentages (46 from the field; 39 from 3-point range). What’s even more impressive is his overall confidence that he’s playing with this season compared to last season.

And perhaps a lot of that is due to his established role. Last year, I’m not sure if his role with clear. This year, it is. After adding Kyle Lowry during the offseason, a lot of that pressure to be Jimmy Butler’s stable running mate is now gone. It’s allowed Herro to do what he does best – focus on scoring, while also contributing a little everywhere else.

Herro, largely in part due to the added strength, has also improved on the defensive end and while he’s still viewed as a mismatch on most nights, he isn’t nearly the target that he was last season on that end of the floor.

Herro seems to be in a comfortable role, knows his strengths, where he needs to be on the basketball court and is running the second unit as well as could be asked. He’s also been huge for the team in terms of clutch scoring. Herro has scored the third-most fourth-quarter points in the league.

He’s made a huge jump in his game and has unlocked the Heat’s potential. If Herro can continue to play at this level, there’s no question the Heat make the leap from playoff disruptor to definite championship contender.

It’s only been one month (or 14 games), but Herro is very much proving that he’s made a big jump in his game from last year’s disappointing sophomore campaign. He’s been so good this season that there’s a very real chance that he could mess around and make his first all-star game appearance.