Miami Heat: What to expect from Tyler Herro in the NBA playoffs

Miami Heat rookie Tyler Herro has transformed into a man on a mission, determined to help his team move past the Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs.

Miami Heat fans should have known Tyler Herro was a perfect fit for the organization from the moment he donned a black floral suit on draft night; the accent colors were even pink and blue, matching that of the team’s Vice campaign.

There was also the fact that he shot 35.5 percent from downtown in his lone year as a Kentucky Wildcat, having averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game.

And that he was the only player to have started all 37 contests during 2018-19 play.

Still, it seemed Heat Nation was not immediately sold on their thirteenth overall pick.

Fast-forward past most of a regular season and a few NBA bubble games, however, and it finally appears as though people are all in on the 20-year-old. The question now is, what should fans expect from Herro, as the Heat face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2020 Playoffs?

Contribution for the Miami Heat, period

There’s an age-old saying among basketball heads that goes a little something like “shooters shoot.” And with Herro being exactly that, it’s no secret that he’ll be putting up volume every time he steps foot on the court.

But shooters don’t always get the most open of looks, especially once the opposition gets that players’ number and discovers the wonders of a double-team. Shooters sometimes also experience slumps, which unfortunately can last anywhere from a few possessions to entire quarters.

So while everyone should certainly get used to seeing the rookie pull up from beyond-the-arc, 3-point shooting isn’t all that he can be relied upon for.

For one, his defensive presence has drastically improved since he arrived in South Florida, even more so once NBA bubble play began.

“He still has a ways to go defensively but he is much better than when he first arrived in Miami,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said after Game 1. This was anything but an empty compliment too, proven by Spoelstra keeping the young fella on the floor for all 12 fourth-quarter minutes, despite only leading the Pacers by one.

He has also visibly worked on improving his inside-scoring skills, becoming more comfortable with smooth drives and quick pull-up jumpers. While he only went 1-of-5 from downtown in Tuesday’s victory, he still finished with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting in 34 minutes of play.

Bottom line: Herro will find a way to propel his team forward.

A hunger for knowledge

It’s true that the Milwaukee-native’s stroke may be what initially got him noticed around the league, but his value lies in so much more than meets the eye.

A natural student of the game, Herro is constantly looking to learn more from his coaches and teammates, both on and off the court. This has become especially true with Miami having moved into postseason play, as the NBA playoffs mark entirely new territory for him.

"“My vets really told me what it was going to be like,” No. 14 said after Game 1. “The intensity was a lot higher. It was a lot at stake… It felt good to get out there and get my first playoff game under my belt.”"

Although NBA Twitter took notice of the bond that has recently developed between Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler, there has also been an obvious day one brotherhood between Herro and Butler, which has only fed into No. 14’s desire to do and be better.

"“Off the court, we joke around a lot. On the court, I really look up to him,” Herro said back in December. “Everything he does, I see. I just try to adjust because at the same time, I’m playing with him. But he sets me up in a lot of good spots. He yells at me, which I like because he gets me going a lot of the time.”“Off the court, we joke around a lot. On the court, I really look up to him,” Herro said back in December. “Everything he does, I see. I just try to adjust because at the same time, I’m playing with him. But he sets me up in a lot of good spots. He yells at me, which I like because he gets me going a lot of the time.”"

While veteran presence in the NBA playoffs goes a long way, there is also certainly something to be said of rookies who stay hungry.

Is it too soon to call Tyler Herro, the Miami Heat’s X-Factor?