Where’s Miami Heat confidence level stand with Tyler Herro?
Q: Ira, Tyler Herro has missed 25% of games since his rookie season due to injuries. His latest injury is “a “chronic foot issue,” an MRI revealed no damage, and then goes on to miss 10 games. That has to be alarming. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: I’ve been supportive of Tyler Herro in the context that in absolutely no way do I believe he is a malingerer. He wants to play. He is well aware of perception. But the reality, even if chiche’, is that the best ability is availability. So, yes, this overall trend is concerning, simply because you don’t want to have to overexert your other leading men to compensate. It cannot be overlooked that this extended absence comes after missing 18 consecutive games earlier this season with a sprained right ankle (there also was one game missed with a shoulder sprain, one game missed due to a migraine). The question now is when Tyler comes back, what does he come back as?
Q: Shouldn’t Nikola Jovic be seeing more than 15 minutes? Also, I think he defers way too much and needs to be more aggressive in looking for or creating his own. shot. – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: I’m probably not the best person to come to with those thoughts because I still believe Nikola Jovic is a stopgap regular-season starter, and that when the Heat get to the playoffs, there will be a turn in a move proven direction. But in the case of Nikola being differential, perfect. He should be deferring to Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier (and eventually Tyler Herro).
Q: John Wall could be some service to the Heat. If he’s signed, that would allow Jimmy Butler that extra help or time off however we choose to look at it. – James.
A: I don’t mind the occasional 30-something on the buyout market as an emergency plug-and-play veteran to augment what already is in place, as the Heat have done with Delon Wright and Patty Mills. But not to start the season. So if you’re talking about a move for next season, then no. That’s where youth matters ahead of the 82-game grind. While John Wall would be playoff eligible if signed, because he has not been with another team this season, there also is a reason John Wall has not been with another team. And while John is only 33, it is time the Heat commit to the type of youth in line with the majority of the roster going forward.
