Tyler Herro is about to shoulder more offensive responsibility with the Milwaukee Bucks than he ever did with the Miami Heat. With that comes an expectation for more productivity. Herro has already put plenty of good film on tape as a scoring threat, but if he really wants to take the next step, he should look to sharpen his mid-range game, a shot that has been up and down throughout his NBA career.
Herro's mid-range could elevate his game
Perimeter shooting has been Herro's bread and butter throughout his career. Playing alongside stars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, who can draw in defenses down low, Herro thrived because he got good looks on the perimeter often. Now, he can no longer be just a complementary piece. This show is his, and if he wants to truly be the star, he needs to take strides. The mid-range is a nice start.
The guard's mid-range numbers have always been fine. Let us break down his tallies over the years: 37.5 percent, 43.6 percent, 39.2 percent. 36.7 percent. 39.2 percent. 42.9 percent. 39.4 percent. Can you guess which one was his lone All-Star campaign? That's right; it was the year in which he had the highest mid-range percentage. If he can do that consistently on a higher volume... oh, boy.
That shot could keep defenses on their toes. While some think the mid-range is going extinct in the NBA today, it's still a useful weapon when used properly. Look at the greats, such as Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan, who are still near 20-point-per-game scorers this late in their careers because they don't rely on just threes or layups. The mid-range signals a versatile scoring attack.
It's Herro's turn to prove he can join that class.
Milwaukee's game plan starts with Herro
In his most successful mid-range shooting season, Herro averaged 23.9 points while knocking down 56.5 percent of his 2-pointers, both of which were career bests. No, the mid-range shot was not the only reason for those numbers, but it certainly helped. If he can bounce back after last year, in which he posted one of his least efficient mid-range shooting seasons, he will be in good shape.
Suddenly, he's the one teams will game plan for when they face the Milwaukee Bucks. That means he must also show growth as a passer, as his teammates will be open often, but above all else, Herro is a scorer, and it's time to show it on the biggest stage possible. Beyond just staying healthy, improving his mid-range game should be a goal for Herro.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google