Do Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra now lean more on Tyler Herro?
Q: Free Tyler Herro. With no Jimmy Butler, no Terry Rozier and no Josh Richardson, I say put the ball in Tyler Herro’s hands and let him be Dwyane Wade. This is what he has been waiting for. – Felipe.
A: I’m not sure there really is any other choice, as long as it involves also keeping Tyler Herro involved in the pick-and-roll with Bam Adebayo. But again, this also is temporary, with Jimmy Butler expected back after the All-Star break following the death in his family, and perhaps with some optimistic news with Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson. While you don’t want to dramatically alter the message to a player, there is no reason with Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier out that Tyler Herro can’t update his diet of mid-range shots. Scoring is going to be hard in these two upcoming games in Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Tyler Herro has the ability to make it easier.
Q: Hello, Ira. We didn’t need a backup center, but we did and do still need a true power forward that can spend some time playing next to Bam Adebayo. Can you envision Danilo Gallinari being able to offer at the power forward position what Kevin Love has offered as a backup center? I know the defense will be an issue, but with Erik Spoelstra’s hybrid zones, can Danilo get some court time? – Carlos, West Park.
A: You basically answered some of your question. The Heat basically already have Danilo Gallinari in the form of Kevin Love. So, at best, a Gallinari acquisition on the buyout market would be redundant unless you are envisioning Danilo as an emergency fill-in should Love be sidelined. That rarely is what tempts a player to join a team, longshot odds of playing. Otherwise, I can’t see Erik Spoelstra playing Danilo ahead of Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith. Now, if Danilo was amenable to being around solely as an emergency fill-in, then go for it, if willing to add the cost to the luxury tax.
Q: I love the Kyle Lowry video of him coming home, a really nice story of him playing high school and college basketball in Philadelphia. Really enjoyed his basketball smarts and leadership on the court. He hit a lot of big shots in last year’s playoff games (especially against Boston and Knicks) playing behind Gabe Vincent. He was never scared of the big moment. – Stuart, Miami.
A: And he well could wind up being a postseason opponent of the Heat, which assuredly would provide further motivation. But part of the NBA transaction equation is accepting that to get something you have to give up something. So for the Heat it no longer is about what Lowry still might be, but rather what Terry Rozier becomes (knee injury allowing). And that remains an ongoing process as he acclimates to playing alongside Tyler Herro. Considering how Kyle Lowry helped the Heat to two deep playoff runs during his two full seasons with the Heat, I would expect some sort of tribute by the Heat when the 76ers make their lone remaining visit to Kaseya Center on April 4.
