BBNBA: Tyler Herro continues hot streak as he vies for All-Star bid

Tyler Herro has, what the old folks say, taken the next step. It’s been three days since we last checked in with the BBNBA and in the Heat’s two games during that span, Tyler Herro has combined for 55 points and 11 3-pointers. His hot streak comes during All-Star voting, as the 5th year player out of Kentucky vies for his first career appearance in the mid-season showcase.

On Thursday, Herro led the Heat with 23 points in a win over the Utah Jazz, knocking down five 3s along the way. He followed up that performance with a 32-point outing in a victory over Portland on Saturday, where he drained seven shots from distance. This marked his second game of 30 or more points since the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve.

Now that Jimmy Butler has officially/unofficially not-so-quietly quit the team, Herro has stepped up as the team’s leading scorer and overall playmaker. Herro is averaging career-highs in points (23.8), assists (5.8), rebounds (5.0), field goal percentage (46.9%), 3-point percentage (40.6%), and 3-point makes (145) this season. These numbers are good for second in the NBA in made 3-point field goals and 9th in points.

As for that All-Star bid, Herro is in contention but has some work to do. The latest round of votes released has Herro 10th in voting amongst guards in the East, but fan voting only really factors into who starts. He very well could get voted in by the coaches and players poll, but those numbers are not made public.

Do your thing, BBN, and vote for The Bucket.

Other BBNBA Notes:

• Tyler Herro’s two-time All-Star teammate, Bam Adebayo took a nasty fall in the aforementioned Heat victory over the Trail Blazers. Thankfully, he got up and walked to the bench afterward. I’m sure the Heat’s three-game win streak will help ease the pain.

• While Herro has eyes set on his first All-Star appearance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has much loftier aspirations. He is now the betting favorite to win MVP and has the Thunder in first place in the West with visions of bringing an NBA Championship to Oklahoma. He poured in 39 points on Thursday in a rematch with the New York Knicks (Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points and 10 rebounds in that game) and has OKC back to their winning ways after snapping their 15-game win-streak to Cleveland.

• Speaking of win streaks, the Phoenix Suns have now won two games in a row. Devin Booker filled up the basket with 34 points on Saturday in a win over the Jazz, while also taking a moment to post on Instagram a shot of Duke’s Cooper Flagg posterizing dunk while wearing his signature Book 1 shoes. I’m not sure how to feel about that. As the Suns look to recalibrate the league’s most expensive and underperforming roster, rumor has it they could be in the market for Nick Richards. It is something to keep an eye on before the trade deadline.

• Reed Sheppard followed up his 49-point G-League debut with a much more modest 13-point outing in his second game. He then had 24 points on Saturday night. It would be great to see him fill it up during what will likely be a short stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, but you can’t help but think the Houston Rockets are not the best fit for his skills. His future will be interesting to watch.

• The NBA postponed three games on Saturday due to weather-related catastrophes. While Los Angeles burns, the South is frozen. Stay safe out there, everyone.