Paul Pierce Says Tyler Herro’s Return May Throw Off Caleb Martin, Hurt Heat

The retired NBA star wonders whether Herro’s return will negatively affect the existing rotation that’s led the Heat to the Finals.

With the Heat trailing the Nuggets 1–0 in the NBA Finals, reports are beginning to circulate indicating that Miami sharpshooter Tyler Herro is nearing his return to the lineup.

The 2022 Sixth Man of the Year has been out since Apr. 16 with a fractured hand, but is ramping up his basketball activities in hopes of returning sometime in the series, perhaps even in Sunday’s Game 2.

But could his return throw off the rotation that’s gotten Miami through the playoffs and into the NBA finals? Paul Pierce seems to think so.

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“If I’m Miami, how do I even play him?” Pierce asked Kevin Garnett on his KG Certified show on Showtime. “They have a rhythm going. Herro being hurt might have been a blessing in disguise for them because we see what Caleb Martin turned into …because Caleb Martin is better than Herro. That might throw Caleb off. You throw him off by bringing Herro back? I don’t want to see it,” Pierce said.

If Miami coach Erik Spoelstra can integrate Herro into the rotation without throwing off the chemistry, there’s no doubt his shooting could help the Heat in the series. 

Herro averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season before his injury, and led the league in free throw shooting percentage at 93.4%.