Miami Heat: Why Tyler Herro has regressed from behind the arc

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has taken a significant step back from behind the arc as he is currently shooting 33.1 percent on 5.7 attempts per game in his first 38 outings this season. Herro’s 3-point percentage has decreased by 5.8 percentage points as he shot 38.9 percent from behind the arc last season on 5.4 attempts per game.

But why has Herro regressed from behind the arc this season? Because head coach Erik Spoelstra has given him more time in the role of ball handlers. Herro is touching the ball 55.8 times per game, a 25.4 percent increase from last season when he averaged 44.5 per game.

Tyler Herro has struggled shooting beyond the arc line this season. We’ll try to explain some of those inconsistencies that are limiting the Miami Heat.

The increased presence in the role of ball handler has changed the way he is taking 3-pointers. For example, Andre Igoudala had the ball at the top of the key late in the first quarter of a road game against the Sacramento Kings.

Iguodala proceeded to pass the basketball to Herro, who stood on the right wing. Upon receiving the ball, Herro went over a Precious Achiuwa screen to get away from his defender Cory Joseph. Herro got separation as he missed an open pull-up three.

Pull-up threes have accounted for 54.4 percent of his total attempts this season as he is averaging 3.1 per game. Unfortunately, Herro has struggled with pull-up threes throughout his career, as he converted 33.1 percent of his attempts last season on 2.4 shots per game.

He has continued to struggle with pull-up threes this season, converting 30.1 percent of his attempts. Herro should lower the number of pull-up threes and put a great emphasis on catch and shoot attempts as he seems more comfortable in that department.

For example, Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday, Justin Holiday, JaKarr Sampson, and T.J. Warren stood at or below the free-throw line late in the first quarter of Game 1 of Indiana’s first-round bubble matchup with the Heat when Jimmy Butler chose to attack the basket from the right-wing.

As Butler approached the basket, they surrounded him to prevent Butler from getting an easy bucket or create some contact for a foul call. The Pacers’ reaction led Butler to pass the basketball to Tyler Herro, who was open on the left-wing; Herro proceeded to make the uncontested 3-pointer.

Herro excelled as a floor spacer last season, converting 44.2 percent of his catch and shoots on 3.0 attempts per game. He has continued to thrive in the catch and shoot department this season, converting 36.4 percent of his catch and shoots on 2.4 shots per game.

Herro can increase the likelihood of taking more catch and shoots by attacking the basket with greater frequency. Herro is currently attacking the basket 10.7 times per game. If Herro decreases his pull-up threes by 15 to 20 percent and turns those possessions into drives, it’ll force the defense to choose between rotating over or giving him a free path to the basket.

If a player comes over to help, Herro should pass the ball to the open teammate. After Herro passes the ball, he can stand behind the arc for the rest of the possession, waiting for a catch-and-shoot attempt.

In conclusion, Herro can improve his 3-point shooting statistics by decreasing his pull-up threes and increasing his catch and shoot attempts. However, if Herro doesn’t adjust to decrease the number of pull-up threes, he will continue to struggle from behind the arc.