Mr. 305 is back in the 4-1-4.
Tyler Herro of Whitnall High School returned to the Milwaukee area on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for the first time since The Trade and he sounds like someone who wants to give this very dramatic change of scenery a chance to succeed.
He’s got a great attitude, especially considering not many expected him to actually land here.
When the Milwaukee Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami just before the NBA draft in June in exchange for Herro and several of his Heat teammates in a blockbuster move, most analysts and NBA insiders expected the dealing to continue. Herro, who is in the final year of his contract, was thought to move on, as many expected Milwaukee to deal him again to a team that would add him to their arsenal.
Instead, the 26-year-old Herro finds himself as one of the most senior veterans on a very young team.
Herro agreed to talk to local reporters on Saturday, Aug. 8, at OAW Indoor Sports Complex in New Berlin, his first meet and greet with reporters since becoming a Buck.
In seven years in Miami, the sharp shooting guard averaged 19.5 points per game. But he was most known for bursting on to the NBA scene as a rookie, the NBA’s sixth man and one of the youngest ever to make an appearance in the NBA Finals.
This is what Herro said in response to several topics and questions on Aug. 8:
On returning: “It means a lot to me, my family, and really everybody who represents the city and the state. I’m just excited to get started.”
On what is exciting about being a Buck: “We pretty much have a blank slate, canvas of being able to start over. Not only myself but some of my teammates, coaching staff. Everyone can implement their way of how we want to establish the new culture of the Milwaukee Bucks.”
Herro has done a camp and a golf event in the area every year, and now he’s home: “I spend a lot of time in the summers at home in Milwaukee. Coming home, playing in front of a lot of people who helped me get to this point, it means a lot to me. I will get to be around people I love every day; obviously I missed my family being in Miami for seven years. I’m excited to be back home and represent the city, the state and I’m excited to establish the new culture with the Milwaukee Bucks.”
What is the new culture: “Obviously there’s quote-unquote pressure to fill certain shoes… I’m just excited to give everything I have, play as many games as possible, and be in the community, touch as many people as I can. Hopefully inspire a bunch of kids who grew up here, just like me, in this community.”
Herro first met the team and coaching staff in Las Vegas during summer league: “It hit a little different when I came home and saw the new practice facility. I’m still getting used to everything but everyone has been inviting with welcome arms.”
The contract status: “I’m not really worried about it right now. It’s a new slate for me, the coaches and really organization as a whole. I don’t think that needs to be a burden over anyone’s shoulder. Let’s focus on winning as many games as possible. Being the best teammate I can.”
What it’s like to be the guy who was traded: “We all have a chips on our shoulder. Coach Taylor Jenkins himself has a chip on his shoulder; the guys who came in the trade with me… It’s not just about me. Everyone on the team has a chip. Obviously, there’s going to be people who probably don’t think we’re not going to win very many games. That’s the opposite of what we’re thinking; we’re going to win as many games as possible and really set a culture from Day 1.”
What about those lingering trade rumors in June: “I’m just happy to have an organization that wants me and wants me to play for them. I’ve been a Bucks fan my whole life, so taking all the other stuff out, just being a kid from Milwaukee… Take the contract stuff away, I’m home, playing for my home team. That itself is just as much value as any other contract or anything like that. I’m happy to just be home.”
Now he’s a veteran, will he be a leader?: “There’s different ways to lead. I try to lead by example. First one in the gym, last one out. I’m an extremely hard worker. That’s how I lead – and to be a shoulder to lean on for anyone who has questions. The league is crazy, anything can happen. I want to be a guy guys can lean on and ask questions.”
What about the hate by some media pundits for Milwaukee: “The fans in Milwaukee are some of the best fans in the entire league, and I mean that. Wisconsin is a sports state, a sports town…When the Packers, the Brewers, the Bucks are good and competing, there’s nothing like it in the state.
“Ultimately I love the city of Milwaukee. I know people don’t think highly of it. If you haven’t had a Midwest summer, you need to come check out a Midwest summer in Wisconsin; it’s beautiful. Obviously the winters are winters, but we are hard working people. We love to compete and work hard and see our teams win.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A Herro’s welcome home; Whitnall alumnus talks about trade, joining Bucks | Lori Nickel
Reporting by Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
