Heat's Herro named NBA's 6th man of year, becomes 1st Miami player to claim award

Tyler Herro was told before the season began that he wouldn't be in the Miami Heat starting lineup. To his credit, he saw that as an opportunity.

"I said, 'Let's go for Sixth Man of the Year,"' Herro said.

And that's what he got.

Herro was announced Tuesday as the NBA's top sixth man this season, the first player to win the award as a member of the Heat. He averaged 20.7 points, nearly four more per game than any other reserve in the league, plus had a huge role in Miami securing the No. 1 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"It means a lot," Herro said. "I accepted the sixth-man role for a reason. I wanted to be the best sixth man in the league."

By overwhelming agreement of the 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league and vote on season-ending awards, that's what Herro was. He received 96 first-place votes and 488 total points, well ahead of runner-up Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cameron Johnson of the Phoenix Suns was third.

Everyone who knows me knows I love Tyler Herro’s game (and swag) - much respect on an incredible 6th man campaign. Best is yet to come for <a href="https://twitter.com/raf_tyler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@raf_tyler</a>