Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has made it a point not to miss a game this season. Could his determination be driven by a desire to prove Pat Riley wrong?
Herro has appeared in all 38 games of the Heat’s 2024-25 season so far, posting career-best numbers. The 24-year-old is averaging 24.0 points on 46.9% shooting, along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Riley’s comments last year may have a fire under Herro. During the team’s end-of-season interviews in May, the Heat president referred to Herro as “fragile.”
Herro addressed the remark this week, making it clear he hasn’t forgotten.
“I don’t need anyone to tell me I’m fragile or I haven’t played as many games,” Herro told the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang.
“I’m aware of what’s going on. I know I missed the last two seasons, with the hand injury and half the season last year. I’ve seen the comments Coach Riley said. In my own world, I was going to try to play more games on my own either way. I took his words, obviously, into consideration and used it as motivation as I always do.”
Riley, known for his candidness and unparalleled reputation as an executive, operates in a way few others can. Labeling a player “fragile” might not sit well with most, but his track record allows him to push buttons others wouldn’t dare.
Herro admitted that he’s taken a more deliberate approach to staying in shape this season. He’s yet to play more than 67 games in a season, and after appearing in just 42 games last year, he’s determined to change that.
Herro even revealed that he’s played through an injury suffered after a scuffle with Amen Thompson earlier this year.
If Riley’s comments were meant to motivate, they’ve clearly worked, as Herro is thriving. But it’s equally clear that Herro didn’t appreciate being called out publicly.
The timing of Herro’s remarks is notable as Riley’s reported tensions with Jimmy Butler are also making headlines. It seems Herro isn’t the only Heat star who may have taken issue with Riley’s management style.