Heat's Tyler Herro Has Ultimate Praise for PJ Tucker

Tyler Herro claims the Heat miss PJ Tucker and what he brings to the table.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had nothing but praise for his former player, PJ Tucker, on Monday night. As the Heat were slated to face the veteran forward for the first time since he left for free agency and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Spoelstra made it clear that Philly has a good one in Tucker.

Not long after, Miami Heat star Tyler Herro echoed the same sentiment. As Herro prepared to face Tucker and the Sixers, he was blunt about the void Tucker left behind.

“I mean, you see our record now without him, right?” said Herro. “We were first in the East with him, and now we’re struggling to find our identity without him.”

Going into Monday’s game, the Heat held a 32-29 record. They were the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the third-seeded Sixers by seven games. 

Some might look at Tucker’s season averages and think how could Tucker’s eight points per game last season be such a difference-maker for Miami, but Herro made it clear that the veteran holds value that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

“Tuck is somebody that brings everything else that doesn’t show up in the box score,” Herro continued. “Anything that he brings to the box score is just extra at that point.”

The Sixers have been sending that message to Tucker’s critics all season long. And visitors that played alongside Tucker in the past all say something similar. 

Herro’s just the latest.

“He’s a great teammate, he’s a leader, he knows where to be in the right spots,” he finished. “He’s a veteran, experienced, and brings a lot to a championship team. Things that don’t show up in the box score, but he brings everything else.”

In his first bout against his most recent former team on Monday night, Tucker had one of his better offensive outings. He made both of his shots from beyond the arc and went 2-2 from the charity stripe. Tucker finished the game with eight points on offense, and four rebounds, along with two steals on defense. 

The Sixers didn’t come away with the win on Monday, as they fell short 101-99. On Wednesday, Tucker will make his return to Miami, and the Sixers will go toe-to-toe with their Eastern Conference foes once again as they seek revenge. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.