Miami Heat Rookie Tyler Herro Making Strides in the NBA Bubble
Miami Heat Rookie Tyler Herro Making Strides in the NBA Bubble
By Amira Shehadeh
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat shooting guard rookie, has been one of the team's stars during the 2019-20 season. At just 20 years old and drafted only last year, Herro has scored a total of 743 points and most recently scored 19 points for the Heat during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, securing the Heat to advance to the Finals. Even though the Heat suffered two losses against the Los Angeles Lakers in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, it is awe-inspiring to see how a rookie like Herro, who has only been in the league for a year, has been put up against players like LeBron James and Jayson Tatum, has been able to thrive in an unusual environment like The Bubble.
Due to this recent ankle injury back in early February of this year, Herro was a little rusty warming up to play in the bubble. Regardless, he was able to get back on track and went on to score an average of approximately 17 points per game he played in The Bubble. I think it’s remarkable that someone so young, still in their rookie year, and recently injured, has been able to help carry his team and gain the respect of many legendary players this season. Especially with the pandemic's uncertainty and not being in a pre-covid environment surrounded by cheering fans, it definitely was heartwarming to see Herro overcome all present obstacles and do the most he could to help his team make it to the finals. Achieving this accomplishment in his first year is a milestone that not many other players have been able to hit.
This season has been an interesting one for the Miami Heat. They really have been showing out for many games during the 2019-20 season. The departures of prominent former players like Hassan Whiteside (2019), Dwayne Wade (2019), and LeBron James (2014) have left gaps in the team’s dynamic and flow. Following the Heat’s recruitment of seasoned player Jimmy Butler (2019) and rookie Tyler Herro (2019), these two players have brought so much passion, energy, and consistency to the team. Even after the Heat’s devastating loss during Game 6 of the Finals, Butler and Herro shined throughout the season. From Herro putting out one of the best rookie performances in (what I believe to be Heat history) during Game 4 to Butler even outplaying LeBron James not once but twice during the championship series, this duo has captured the hearts of Heat fans and the entire NBA.
As a South Florida native and Heat fan, I have grown up witnessing Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal skyrocket the Heat to numerous victories and shape the South Florida sports culture into what it is today. I have to admit, when Wade left the Heat and retired after the 2018-19 season, I had lost hope for the Heat. I did not think the team would house the culture it used to, and I definitely did not watch as many games. However, it is so inspiring to witness a rookie's rising success and determination that has brought so much spirit and energy to every game he plays in. I feel like the Heat will definitely continue to have so much success with Tyler Herro on their side, and I hope he continues to prove the people who doubt him wrong.
Tyler Herro (Center) and the Miami Heat after winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics.
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