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3 young players to watch during the 2022 NBA Playoffs

By Richard Nurse

Nov 1, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland (left) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland (left) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Playoffs
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 28: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat fouls Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at FTX Arena on March 28, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Young players to watch in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: 3. Tyler Herro, 22 y/o

"“I feel like I’m in the same conversation as those guys, the young guys coming up in the league who can be All-Stars, Superstars one day — Luka, Trae Ja, you know, those guys, I feel like my name should be in that category too,” Herro said on the Bally Sports Miami Mic’d Up podcast."

By now, everyone knows the snarl and the breakout success that Tyler Herro experienced during his rookie season with the Miami Heat. They also know that by the end of year number two, he saw himself labeled as everything from overrated to a liability.

His ball-handling was loose and wonky and his backup point guard skills left much to be desired. This merged questions about everything from his focus to his future.

The interesting thing is that Herro’s statistics elevated in year two, and again in year three, but his turnovers also continued to climb. Yet, the criticism was gone. And rightfully so.

Actual game-watchers would be able to see that last year’s Herro did not affect winning for a number of reasons. However, this season his game seemed to reemerge with the return of his swagger and offseason work. Even with the increased turnovers, observers can see that he tightened up his ball-handling and decision-making.

Herro can still be careless at times, but that comes with having the basketball in his possession as often as he does. His fearlessness of venturing his little frame into the paint or trying to scrap with seven-footers cannot go unnoticed either.

As of Saturday night, Herro was poised to end the season as the number-one bench scorer (20.7) and assist man (3.8) amongst players eligible to win an award that should already have his name printed on it – Sixth Man of the Year.

The only thing left to do is finish off his playoff run the way he was not able to in 2019-20.