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Miami Heat year-end report cards

By Michael Shearer

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 , alongside Bam Adebayo #13, and Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat interact against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 , alongside Bam Adebayo #13, and Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat interact against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 06: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at Wells Fargo Center on April 6, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Heat defeated the 76ers 129-101. 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 Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Tyler Herro: B

Coming off a stellar Sixth Man of the Year campaign, Herro wanted and received a starting role on the Heat. Facing first-line defenders and a greater share of attention, Herro’s play held up. His three-point percentage dropped from 40% to 38%, but that’s an acceptable trade-off for the increase in volume (eight triples per game!).

Herro remains a weak defender, but having Adebayo behind him papered over many of his mistakes. It was disappointing but understandable to see Herro’s free-throw rate drop. The only rotation player shooting above league-average from deep, he was an oxygen mask for a team that could barely breathe in the halfcourt.

Herro’s playmaking is underrated, and his turnovers decreased from last season despite more minutes.

But we didn’t get to see what Herro could do in the playoffs. Outside of his bubble season, Herro has struggled badly when the lights get brighter. A broken hand in his first playoff game ended his postseason before it even began, destroying a crucial opportunity for Miami and Her to see how he’d fare against the best defensive competition.

It’s important to emphasize that Miami’s run to the Finals occurred despite Herro’s absence, not because of it. For all his defensive flaws, Herro is the only player on the Heat capable of consistently scoring at all three levels. Lowry and Martin showed flashes of it, and Butler was unstoppable even with a shaky three-point shot, but the Heat’s offense desperately needed another shoot-off-the-dribble threat. There’s a reason Herro was the team’s leader in on/off point differential during the regular season.

Herro is 23 years old and improving every season. As Butler ages, the Heat will need Herro to take on an even greater scoring burden. If he can do that without sacrificing defense or efficiency, the Heat may not need external improvements to return to the Finals next year.

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