Damian Lillard has been in the NBA for 11 seasons. In that time he has played in the playoffs 8 times, reaching 3 semifinals and a single Conference Final. In those same eleven years, the Miami Heat have been planted in the Finals for the title 6 times but prevailing in only two of them. It was during the ‘James era’ of the Big Three.
If we limit ourselves to the last 4 years, we see a similar pattern: the Spoelstra Heat boast no less than three Conference Finals and two NBA Finals. Lillard’s Blazers, meanwhile, are summed up in two courses falling in the first round (Lakers and Nuggets) and another pair (the last two) without even qualifying for the playoffs. And this with the play-in already in full force.
Nevertheless, it’s Dame Lillard’s individual legacy and not their barren collective record that is driving the narrative in his possible trade to the Miami Heat. Until now, the packages offered to Portland by the point guard (who has 2 years left on his contract for 121 million dollars) are automatically rejected as ‘insufficient’.
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(Under)valued
You don’t have to wander far through any basketball forum to read that Dame is an ‘undervalued’ player; However, ‘the underrated’ has a wide showcase where there is no shortage of recognition: 7 All-NBA, 7 All-Stars, Rookie of the Year, MVP of the Orlando bubble and the tremendous honor of being among the 75 best players of the history of the NBA in the controversial list published as a result of its seventy-fifth anniversary.
Although he has already turned 33 and comes from a season where, due to injuries, he has only been able to play 58 of the 82 possible games (and he came from only 29 in the previous one), the Blazers consider him not only the jewel in their crown, but a superstar of the league that should not be transferred if in return assets that equal that status do not arrive.
Every package put on the table by the Heat came with the name Tyler Herro in the header, since after ‘the untouchables’ (Butler and Adebayo) they have their other great first-caliber player in the escort. But those from Oregon, crammed with foreign players, have always said no, making it necessary to go, without success so far, to a third franchise in search of a three-way agreement that satisfies everyone.
Herro: an early and successful legacy
And here Udonis Haslem, now retired, has thrown a lifeline at Herro, who must be starting to feel like some Air jordan in a polygon outlet.
“Whatever happens, he can walk away with his head up. 6MOY, 2 NBA Finals, 3 ECF. His 4-5 years here has been equivalent or better than most people’s careers. He has nothing to be ashamed about.”
Udonis Haslem on Tyler Herro ????
(via @Brendan_Tobin)pic.twitter.com/LdU3hZxoBO
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«I am attending expectantly, like everyone else, and waiting to see what happens. Obviously I have a great relationship with Tyler (Herro) and I’m waiting for him to be mentally well (…). One of the things I’ve told him is that he should focus on what he’s done here so far. His time (in the Miami Heat) has been amazing. And whatever happens, he must walk with his head held high. He’s been 6th Man of the Year, been to 3 Conference Finals, 2 NBA Finals…his 4-5 years here equal or better than most any player’s career. So I’ve told him that he has nothing to be ashamed of and, in the meantime, let things go. And if in the end he is transferred that he worries about doing his best, earning the money he deserves and improving as a player ».
Haslem’s words can have several readings.
The first would be the triviality with which many fans have treated the figure of Herro, considering “a bargain” that Lillard could come up with in exchange for him as the most valuable piece to sacrifice.
Another interpretation would perhaps be a message to push the Heat front office to further consider whether their 23-year-old, with his entire career ahead of him and a player ceiling yet to be reached, and that (as Haslem puts it) He already has significant experience in playoff series, with several notable performances (such as his 2020 Conference Finals against Boston, or the semifinals against the 76ers in 2021). Whether Haslem had a hand in it or not, that approach, that of retaining Herro, is a real claim in Florida.
The third, perhaps the most improbable, would be to think about whether it should be Herro, and not one of the untouchables (let’s say Adebayo) who should be sacrificed and sent to Portland in exchange for adding to the squad one of the 75 greatest players of all time. Something that in Oregon, with plenty of outside play but not inside, could be liked a lot and thus put an end to the soap opera.
(Cover photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
2023-08-24 17:35:09
#Udonis #Haslem #cape #Tyler #Herro
