Being a rookie in the NBA can be a tough and isolating experience.
However, when teammates have confidence and trust in a first-year player, it makes things much easier. That’s especially true when one of those teammates is an NBA star.
Tyler Herro drove the Miami Heat to their 17th win of the season on Sunday with some clutch shots. Afterwards, he credited Jimmy Butler for having enough trust and confidence in Herro to let him flourish.
“I don’t shy away from taking the big shot,” Herro said. “I have a lot of confidence. Down the stretch, Jimmy trusted me with the ball, he got me in good spots to knock down a couple of threes.”
With 7.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Butler got the ball to Herro, who hit a 3-pointer to put the Heat up 97-95 over the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls managed to even the game and earn an extra period. Then in overtime, Butler again fed Herro for two more treys that propelled Miami to a thrilling victory, 110-105.
The University of Kentucky standout had an impressive night, as he scored 27 points and shot 5-of-11 from downtown.
Butler isn’t the only Heat leader that has confidence in Herro. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has also grown to trust him.
“As we have gotten to know him in the short period of time, you can see his confidence,” Spoelstra said. “If your max player [Butler] trusts you at that point in the game, and Jimmy was looking for him, that says all you need to know. That trust has been earned within our walls and Jimmy has seen what this kid can do in those situations.”
With a 17-6 record, the Heat are in third place in the Eastern Conference and are creating more and more believers throughout South Florida.