Stan Van Gundy praises Tyler Herro’s explosive debut
It’s hard to believe, but two decades have passed since Stan Van Gundy last roamed the sidelines as head coach of the Miami Heat. Transitioning from Pat Riley’s top assistant to the head coach in the 2003-04 season, Van Gundy’s early tenure was marked by a rocky start. After losing his first seven games, he guided a promising roster featuring the likes of Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and a rookie named Dwyane Wade to the playoffs. The Heat advanced to the second round, where they fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games.
The following season, Van Gundy propelled the Heat to a top seed, only to see their championship aspirations thwarted in a dramatic seven-game battle against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. By the 2005-06 season, for a mix of personal and professional reasons, he handed the reins back to Riley, who subsequently led the team to its first championship.
Since that time, Van Gundy has taken on various coaching roles with Orlando, Detroit, and New Orleans, but now he serves as an analyst. Recently, during an appearance on The Zach Lowe Show, he shared his thoughts on the franchise he once helped build, particularly regarding Tyler Herro’s fit in the team’s evolving offense.
Optimism for Herro’s fit in the new system
There has been considerable debate among fans about how Herro would mesh with the Heat’s new screen-light offensive style. However, Van Gundy’s confidence in Herro’s adaptability remains unshaken, especially following the young guard’s impressive 24-point performance in his second debut.
“I think the new style fits him fine,” Van Gundy stated, reflecting on Herro’s performance. He noted that while the team utilized a significant number of pick-and-roll plays, Herro’s natural ability to play off the dribble makes him well-suited for this offensive approach.
“I thought he was great… he really got it going,” Van Gundy continued. His insights paint a picture of a player whose skills align perfectly with the demands of the new system, suggesting that Herro’s role could evolve positively as the season progresses.
As the Heat continue to refine their identity, the eyes of fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly remain on Tyler Herro, with Van Gundy’s optimistic outlook serving as a reassuring voice amidst the uncertainty.
