As in: Out with the Mr. Big Face coffee, Jimmy Butler, and in with a new era of Heat basketball led by Tyler Herro, the man they call "Boy Wonder."
With the Butler trade-demand saga finally in the rearview following his one-way fare to the Golden State Warriors, many expected Heat center Bam Adebayo to take over as the face of the franchise. And for good reason: Fresh off winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Adebayo is widely regarded as a Top 50 NBA player.
But despite all the talk of "Heat Culture" being passed down to him, Bam has never truly fit the mold of a leader, neither in the box score nor, seemingly, off the court. And an unwritten-yet-assumed rule of being the face of a franchise is that you have to be the franchise's biggest star. And following an epic All-Star weekend performance amid his best season as a pro, 25-year-old Tyler Herro fits the bill much more than Bam.
Bam, who'll turn 28 in July, might be the heart of the Miami Heat, but as of this moment, Tyler Herro is the face of the team. And his face was on full display all weekend long in San Francisco.
First time #NBAAllStar Tyler Herro on seeing his jersey:
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
“Lots of blood, sweat and tears went behind that, so it’s much appreciated” 💯
📺 8:00pm on TNT pic.twitter.com/IEdUG1IoA4
From Tradable to Untouchable
Tyler Herro has been viewed as a dynamic scorer and the Miami Heat's most valuable trade asset for years. But at the past-halfway point of aa season during which he's averaging 24 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, he's now an All-Star and should be off-limits in any trade discussions that don't include the likes of, say, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards. The rise of Herro's star was never more apparent than his comments on what it felt like to see his first-ever All-Star jersey. "Lots of blood, sweat, and tears went behind that, so it's much appreciated," Herro said upon laying eyes on his star-studded duds.
24 PTS. TYLER HERRO SETS THE MARK TO BEAT 👀
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
Buddy Hield is next in #Starry3PT on TNT.... pic.twitter.com/YZY8ocN1tB
Saturday Night: Three-Point King
Getting to an All-Star game is one thing, but putting on a display of the talent that got you there for all of the world and general managers who passed on trading for him over the previous three seasons to see is quite another. Herro did precisely that in taking home the title of NBA three-point contest champ on Saturday night.Herro shone in the three-point festivities, drilling 24 points in the final round to outshoot Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Buddy Hield, adding a crystal trophy to his growing résumé. "It's a blessing to be here," he said after securing the title. "This is something I've worked toward my whole career. I'm just embracing every moment."
NBA All-Star, Tyler Herro 😮💨🔥
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) February 17, 2025
(via @Demar305) pic.twitter.com/oRCel15Zi9
Sunday: All-Star Debut
Every kid who grows up wanting to play in the NBA dreams of being introduced at the All-Star Game, and Herro checked that off his bucket list on Sunday ahead of the revamped (and, by many, hated) format. Herro's All-Star Game debut may have been brief, but it was impactful. He was selected as a starter for Kenny Smith's Young Stars team in the newly reconfigured four-team tournament format. Herro played eight minutes and finished with six points on two-of-four shooting from beyond the arc, along with one assist.
His breakout All-Star Weekend couldn't have come at a better time. After multiple off-seasons in which he was often tabbed as Miami's best asset in hypothetical deals for superstar players, Herro has firmly planted himself as a key piece of the franchise's future.Tyler Herro on the new All-Star format:
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) February 17, 2025
“It was my first experience, it is what it is, it was a short quick burst I feel like…I would still like the East vs West setup”
14 speaking facts. pic.twitter.com/eMlUw2jw0W
At 25, he's is no longer just a microwave scorer or an elite sixth man; he is stepping into a leadership role as Miami's go-to option. The Heat have trusted him with more responsibilities this season, and his All-Star nod and three-point contest win prove he is thriving under the spotlight.
For Miami, this All-Star Weekend was a glimpse into the future, one where Herro is a centerpiece for championship contention. He is the face of the franchise now.
“I was happy I won, obviously. But I think it hit me after seeing Pat up there. We pointed to each other. I know how much he believes in me, for real. And that means a lot.” - Tyler Herro pic.twitter.com/hOLi6HdGwy
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) February 16, 2025
