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PHOTO: Tyler Herro turns heads with his changed look at Heat Media Day

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro is under intense scrutiny as he enters a pivotal season with the team. After a disappointing year filled with injuries and poor performance, team president Pat Riley expressed his dissatisfaction and called out players, including Herro.

Despite Herro's impressive stats (averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season), his availability remains an issue as he has yet to play 70 games in a single season in his five years in the league has denied.

At Miami Heat media day, Tyler Herro surprised fans and media with a new look that potentially signaled a new beginning and new energy for the team. The image of his transformation quickly went viral, garnering nearly 150,000 views and 2,500 likes within the first hour of being posted, reflecting the widespread attention and interest surrounding Herro and the upcoming season.

As the pressure for Herro to perform increases, his performance and health will be closely monitored, especially after he signed a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract that ties him to the team through the 2026-27 season. With Tyler Herro in the spotlight, expectations are high that the young guard will lead the Miami Heat to success.

However, Herro looks positive and promising with a fresh haircut and a much stronger physique. After gaining 12 pounds in the offseason, he now weighs 201 pounds, a significant increase from his previous weight of 189 pounds. His decision to strengthen himself was fueled by his determination to increase his endurance in the demanding NBA season, with the goal of reversing his history of injuries that sidelined him for several regular season games.

During the press conference, Herro emphasized that he is now focused on maintaining his health and dedicating himself to recovery and professional care, emphasizing the importance of staying fit for an 82-game season. Although Herro has taken on a starting role and significantly increased his production over the past two seasons, he has shown a willingness to adapt to whatever role the team requires of him.

He recognizes the importance of developing and maturing as an athlete and now prioritizes the shared pursuit of victory and joy over personal milestones.

Additionally, the Heat as a whole is looking to put an injury-plagued season behind them, with most players expected to be at full health by the start of training camp. That includes guard Josh Richardson, who is in the final stages of recovery from a shoulder injury and hopes to be fully integrated into the team's activities. With a renewed focus on player wellness and an encouraging offseason, the Heat expect to enter the new season in a strong, healthy position.

Also read: Caleb Martin sends a heartfelt farewell message to the Miami Heat following his move to the Philadelphia 76ers