Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro may play the game differently, but the former believes there’s a similarity between them.
According to The Athletic’s Shandel Richardson, Butler sees a younger version of himself in the Miami Heat’s rookie guard.
“It was hard not to find Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler and rookie Tyler Herro together during training camp and the preseason,” wrote Richardson. “Butler latched on to Herro because he saw the potential. He saw the work ethic, the confidence and, most of all, how Herro resembled Butler himself when he was younger.”
Known as one of the hardest-working players in the league, Butler could not help but notice how Herro has the same work ethic as he does. Not only that, but the University of Kentucky product is also probably as thick-skinned as his mentor.
“He don’t give a damn about what I think (of him),” Butler said. “I have that quality, too. A lot of people don’t, but he has it. He’s comfortable in his own skin. He’s not worried about what anybody says. He’s confident because he works on his game. He listens. He asks all the right questions. At 19, (if) you’ve already got that mindset, you can only get better, especially in this organization. He’s going to be special for a very long time.”
Herro has shown during the preseason that he represents the future of the Heat. He averaged a team-best 14.2 points per game and wowed Heat fans with his scoring sprees, which made the NBA’s daily highlight reel.
The Heat’s season opener is just around the corner, and Herro has a shot at making the starting lineup, especially after the organization suspended guard Dion Waiters for the season opener.