‘We are targeted because we’re white boys’: Heat guard Tyler Herro says opponents target him and Duncan Robinson based on color

Tyler Herro’s fairytale run with the Miami Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals was marked by an increase in teams targeting him on offense.

Herro became the youngest player in NBA playoff history to score 37 points in a Conference Finals game. The 20 year old poured on the misery on the Boston Celtics in that game, consigning them to an exit.

Even on the best day of his career, however, Herro was targeted by the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Through the course of the entire 2019-20 season, teams isolated their best offensive players onto him and fellow sharpshooter Duncan Robinson.

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Tyler Herro says he’s used to being targeted by opposition offenses

During his appearance on the JJ Redick podcast recently, Herro alluded to being targeted by opposition offenses.

Redick: “I’ve experienced this in my own life, but in the fourth quarter of games, did you feel like, because you’re white with short arms, teams would target you defensively?

Herro: “Yeah, yeah. I mean, me and Duncan know at this point, like going into the game, they’re coming at us no matter what. We could be playing the best defense in the world, they’re still going to come at us.”

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The Lakers, in particular, made full use of LeBron’s elite ability in isolation plays to put the duo in the blender. Even the Celtics did the same with Tatum and Brown, and the Bucks with Khris Middleton.

The Heat will begin their preseason schedule against the Pelicans on 14th December. Their other preseason game is against the Raptors on 18th December. They will begin their regular season campaign at the Amway Center against the Orlando Magic.