Tyler Herro clears air on his comments
MIAMI — Yes, Tyler Herro saw. And, no, the headlines largely come nowhere close to his message.
As part of his preseason media responsibilities, Herro conducted a sit down interview with Bally Sports Florida for their podcast series.
He spoke from the heart. He wound up pounded with a hammer, with headlines such as:
“Heat’s Tyler Herro Believes He’s on Same Level as Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Ja Morant.” — Bleacher Report.
“Herro: My name should be in the same category as Luka, Trae.” — The Score.
“Tyler Herro thinks he’s an NBA superstar.” — Basketball Network.
After Wednesday’s practice at FTX Arena, Herro offered perspective to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on the soundbite taken from his interview.
Herro’s quote from that podcast: “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,” Herro said. “You know, Luka, Trae, Ja. Those guys like that, I feel like my name should be in that category, too. I put the work in, and I’m just continuing to get better every single day. So I got a lot of goals in mind to be an All-Star one day and continue to chase my dreams. So I’m really excited to see where I can go.”
Then came the headlines. Then came Wednesday’s clarification.
“What I meant by that was I feel like those are the guys that I’m chasing at this time, not really the same player as them,” he said, “but being able to chase them, and be at the level they’re at. Obviously they have their own teams and everything like that.
“For me to chase them, and try to be in the category as them, that’s definitely where my mind is, for sure. I don’t think I should sell myself short of anything.”
Heat lite: The Heat traveled light for Thursday night’s exhibition against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena, making it likely that Friday’s 6:30 p.m. exhibition against the Boston Celtics at FTX Arena will serve as a dress rehearsal for their Oct. 21 season opener against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.
Among those left behind were Herro, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Dewayne Dedmon, Markieff Morris, Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, P.J. Tucker and Omer Yurtseven. Most remained back for rest, with Butler and Yurtseven dealing with colds and Morris with back spasms. In addition, Marcus Garrett is listed with lower-back spasms.
That would leave nine players potentially available: Udonis Haslem, Caleb Martin, KZ Okpala, Micah Potter, Devonte Smart, Dru Smith, DJ Stewart, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent.
Ray Allen visits: Among those visiting the Heat practice court Wednesday was former Heat championship guard Ray Allen.
Allen spoke after the session with Heat shooting specialists Robinson and Strus.
“Anytime you can be in greatness’ presence, just try to let it rub off on you a little bit,” Robinson said.
“I haven’t really worked with him on the court. I’ve spoken with him a handful of times and he’s always been willing to offer any sort of advice but hopefully we can connect more moving forward, that would be great.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he connected with Allen last month at Chris Bosh’s Hall of Fame induction in Springfield, with the two talking coaching in the wake of Allen taking over as coach at Gulliver Prep.
“This offseason we were connecting, because he’s a coach now,” Spoelstra said. “We’re having different discussion now, which I find really fun.
“I’d like to have him out here more.”
Robinson said Wednesday’s discussion was “less about actual shooting, more about routine and preparation.”
“I think anybody who knows what he’s about,” Robinson said, “knows that he’s a master of that, preparation, what goes into being great. So I just try to pick his brain on that sort of stuff.”