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The public bromance between Miami Heat guards Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro took another step after the five-time All-Star offered more praise for the rookie.
The Heat kicked off their three-game scrimmage schedule on Wednesday ahead of the season restart this month with a 104-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Herro scored 15 points and six rebounds off of the bench but took on a different role as the primary ballhandler.
Fellow rookie Kendrick Nunn was a late arrival to the Walt Disney World Resort and is still in quarantine so Herro took over as the point guard in various stretches on the floor. Herro playing as the point guard did not surprise Butler afterward.
He can do that. He can handle, he can score, he can defend. He can do so many different things for us. He’s comfortable in whatever position that you put him in. He doesn’t really think or play like a rookie. He is always working on his game. He is studying the film so he is picking up on how he can be better, where guys are open at. I’m just as comfortable with him handling the ball as anybody.
Butler has said several times this season that he has been impressed with Herro. He loves his demeanor on the court and, perhaps, even more, loves his approach to the game and work ethic. Butler even had Herro in for his infamous 4 a.m. workouts last summer, which helped start the friendship between the two players.
Having Herro up to speed will be crucial for the Heat. He missed time prior to the season suspension due to an ankle injury and, like most players now, is working to get back into game shape. Herro gave the Heat a spark off of the bench at times this season and the team will need that to have success in the playoffs.
The Heat play their second scrimmage game on Saturday vs. the Utah Jazz.
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