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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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Lack of athleticism

Herro’s lack of athleticism will hinder his ability to create offense in the NBA. Shot creation was his best trait as a collegiate player, so not having that skill translate as he becomes a professional player will be problematic.

Herro isn’t very explosive and doesn’t jump very high. His short wingspan will make it hard to get off floaters, which he did rather well in college. Herro will have to improve his vertical to be a proficient scorer around the rim.

Bleacher Report’s draft expert Jonathan Wasserman wrote this about him:

"Herro also doesn’t put heavy pressure on the defense as a driver. He lacks blow-by burst and explosiveness around the basket, where he shot just 49.0 percent."

Obviously, Herro makes his name as a shooter, but lacking athleticism will hurt him there too. If he can’t shake off defenders, he won’t get space to let it fly. With his short wingspan, creating space to shoot will be critical.

At this point, he doesn’t possess great athleticism. He does have quickness, but not quickness that’s out-of-this-world.

Although he isn’t an explosive athlete, he knows how to get himself open. His quick release will help him get his shot up over defenders off the dribble, which he does rather well. But this might not be enough to score at a high volume.

How effective he’ll be able to shake off bigger and faster defenders is a question mark, especially with his wingspan. Taller defenders will have an easy time contesting his jumpers.

His game is very reminiscent of fellow Kentucky Wildcat Devin Booker, but Booker’s wingspan is five inches longer compared to Herro’s. Booker was also ten pounds heavier coming into the league.

Although Herro can add muscle, he won’t be able to catch up to Booker’s length. This length has allowed Booker to shoot over taller defenders and be switchable on defense (in theory at least).

The best use he’ll likely have for the Heat’s offense is as a spot-up shooter. When he has space, Herro shoots well. He’s also good at finding space off-ball, which will help breakdown defenses if he can shoot efficiently.

Still, when he does have the ball, he likely won’t be as effective in Miami as he was at Kentucky.

Spot up shooters are valuable, but they typically aren’t stars save for Klay Thompson (whose stardom is also partly due to his elite defense). If Herro can do what he did in college in the NBA, he’ll be a dangerous scorer, but that “if” is rather big.

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