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Miami Heat: 3 reasons Tyler Herro was a bad pick

By Sam DiGiovanni

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Tyler Herro poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 13th overall pick by the Miami Heat during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Tyler Herro poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 13th overall pick by the Miami Heat during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matt Marriott/NCAA Photos via Getty Images via Getty Images Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Matt Marriott/NCAA Photos via Getty Images via Getty Images Photos via Getty Images) /

3. Concerns about defense

For all the talk about Herro’s ability to shoot, there isn’t much conversation about his ability to defend. Herro was an active, but unspectacular defender in college. His defense likely won’t translate to the NBA because of his physique.

If you don’t already know, try to guess how long Herro’s wingspan is.

Just to give you a ballpark, here are the wingspans of other prospects around Herro’s height (6-foot-6): R.J. Barrett at 6-foot-10, Jarrett Culver at 6-foot-9, Romeo Langford at 6-foot-11, Nickeil Alexander-Walker at 6-foot-9, Kevin Porter Jr. at 6-foot-9, Keldon Johnson at 6-foot-9 and Matisse Thybulle at 7-feet.

Make your guess for Herro before proceeding.

The answer: 6-foot-3. Six feet and three inches. Herro’s wingspan is three inches shorter than his height. He’ll have a difficult time contesting close-out shots and switching onto taller players.

Even when guarding guys close to his height, he won’t be able to contest shots with quick releases or high release points. He also likely won’t be able to get steals at a high level.

The problems with Herro’s defense are more physical than mental. He competes hard on defense just like he does on offense. Unfortunately, effort only goes so far. He’ll need to become a very intelligent defender to be impactful at the next level.

Under the tutelage of coach Erik Spoelstra, it’s not an impossible task. Also, since he’s being drafted into a team that already plays good defense, he won’t have to be a lockdown defender.

Still, teams will likely try to pick on him, as he’ll be the weak link. They’ll try to force switches onto taller players or put those taller players in the area Herro is in when the Heat play zone. At his peak, Herro might be solid. There is a microscopic chance he becomes a good defender.

Herro might have been able to defend well against college competition, but in the NBA, it will likely be a different story. Against better athletes, Herro will not be effective on defense, which means his offense will have to be really good in order to stay on the floor.

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