It was a week that began for Tyler Herrow somehow outside the 2020 Disney World playoff bubble.
On Monday, a third-year Miami Heat guard scored 25 to lead the Heat to a series-starting victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
On Tuesday, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2022 winner.
There were 18 points against 76 on Wednesday and a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series.
All the focus was on the hero.
After all, it was all his attention.
It’s a double-edged sword in the NBA playoffs.
And, so, Friday night the double-team against the 6-foot-5 guard and the trap arrived. Similarly, the Heat’s first loss of the series happened.
The Heat headed off a refresher course in Sunday night’s Game 4 at the Wells Fargo Center.
“And, look, it’s a sign of great respect for how important Tyler is to us,” coach Eric Spoelstra said of the focus and enthusiasm 76ers coach Doc Rivers worked under Harrow’s direction. “They know when it’s ignited, when it creates so many opportunities that are kind of unwritten. So they’re trying to eliminate some of those traps.
“And they’ve done a great job of putting a lot of pressure on him, making it difficult for him to break out of the trap. I think he’ll be better off with it.”
For Spoelstra, it’s nothing more than the push pull of the playoffs.
adjust. be adjusted,
So 76-year-old Herro, after leaving school at 22, was back in session for school flexible reserve.
“In fact, the whole regular season prepares you for the playoffs and moments like that,” said Herro. “They’re trapping me, putting a little more pressure on me, trying to get the ball out of my hand.
“So just make adjustments, play right, play simple, just watch the movie and keep adjusting.”
There are still plays to be done, Hero said, just maybe, in different ways.
“And then just be aggressive in different areas, in transition, in different areas through parts of the game,” he said. “And, like I said, just make the right plays, make simple games, and I think we’ll be in good shape.”
When Hero was presented his Sixth Man Award just before the tipoff of Game 2, Rivers was the only member of the 76ers to applaud.
He was also taking notice, prompting his players not to lose sight of the hero otherwise so focused on the Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo.
The difference in Game 3, when Hero shot 5 of 15, the 76ers also had center Joel Embiid and his intimidating length in the mix.
“I mean we have to be aggressive,” Herro said. “We have played against Joel before. There are parts throughout the game that we can get in more paint and spray on opening shooters.
“It’s not always about going against him, but just trying to get in the paint. I think that will help. And our offense will be great.”
What hasn’t changed with Hero since coming out of Kentucky in the first round in 2019.
So there was also a precious moment in the midst of a Game 3 loss when, after a steal and score, the Heroes mean-muggled Philadelphia Eagles players Hassan Reddick, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, who sat along the baseline by the Heat Basket, far away. Pointing fingers at Radik. There three had previously rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell in the midcourt pregame to upset a crowd of 76ers.
This prompted Reddick, out of 31 NFL sacks, to take to Twitter. “I don’t appreciate the way Tyler Hero looked at me,” accompanied by a playful emoji. Davis just jumped out of his seat and started laughing.
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