Norman Powell’s rise is exposing the Heat’s blind loyalty to Tyler Herro
The Miami Heat should seriously be second-guessing their loyalty to Tyler Herro. If nothing else, Norman Powell could give the Heat another option if they can't find a middle ground on extension talks with Herro next summer.
That's not necessarily an indictment of Herro, but it mostly speaks to just how good Powell has looked in a Heat uniform.
Since his preseason debut, there's not much that Powell has done wrong. Through the first two regular-season games, Powell is averaging 22 points, eight rebounds, and three assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Norman Powell is making Heat fans forget about Tyler Herro
He's been productive enough for the Heat so far this year that they haven't missed Herro all that much. Of course, that doesn't mean the Heat doesn't need Herro anymore or that he can't certainly help this team right now, but you can't help but wonder if the team's perspective on him is beginning to shift.
Because if Powell is able to be just as productive as Herro for a percentage of his cost, it's only natural for the Heat to completely rethink their upcoming decision on his future. And, in turn, perhaps it could open up so many more possibilities for Miami.
Either way, by the end of the season, something has to give for the Heat. They're going to be forced to make a decision one way or another. Herro has just two years left on his contract, and Powell is in the final year of his current deal.
I don't think it's as cut and dry as the Heat having to choose between them, but it would make a lot of sense if that was part of the future vision. And if their numbers are that similar, the decision is pretty simple. Sure, Herro is younger and offers slightly more playmaking upside, but I'm not sure if that's worth another $20 million per year, which Herro would likely be asking for.
That's especially true if the goal for the Heat is to acquire a superstar player within the next couple of seasons.
If Powell continues to hold his own and fill the "Herro role"
Powell and Herro are both really good players, but there's no question that the Heat could be getting some much-needed clarification on the latter with how well the former has played so far this season.
Quay Walker Fined After Critical Penalty in Packers' Win Over Cardinals
Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker was just hit with a $17,389 fine courtesy of the NFL after a hit on quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the Packers’ Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Walker was flagged for a low blow to the Cardinals backup’s head/neck early on in the first quarter.
Walker’s near-$18 K punishment is the league’s standard amount for first-offense roughing-the-passer hits to the head and/or neck area this season. The absence of any accompanying suspension suggests that the league likely thought about it, but didn’t consider the play egregious enough to sit him.
More on Green Bay Packers LB Quay Walker Getting Fined for Hit on Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett Week 7
GettyGreen Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker was fined for his Week 7 hit on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Walker arrived in Green Bay as the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie campaign flashed his potential (he finished with with 100+ tackles), but it was also marred by two ejections for temper-driven infractions.
The first ejection came Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills, when Walker shoved a member of Buffalo’s medical staff on the sideline after a play, drawing an immediate unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejection.
Later that season, in the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, Walker was ejected for shoving a Lions trainer who was tending to an injured player on the field — an emotional outburst that drew widespread criticism, especially given its timing with Green Bay fighting for a playoff berth. Walker publicly apologized after both incidents, acknowledging that his emotions had gotten the better of him.
He has matured a great deal in the years since.
So far this season, Walker has been one of the more reliable downhill presences for the Packers. Through six games, Walker has 59 total tackles (four for loss), 1.5 sacks, five QB hits and two passes defensed.
Packers Face Huge Challenge vs. Steelers & a Familiar Face
Next up, Walker and tbe Packers (4-1-1) travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. Considerin Pittsburgh’s current quarterback is Aaron Rodgers, the former long-time face of Green Bay, it should be an interesting matchup to say the least.
While Rodgers is no longer in Green Bay, the narrative — him facing his old team — adds an emotional wrinkle.
For the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love has been strong. He’s completing about 69.3 % of his passes, averaging roughly 8.2 yards per attempt, and has thrown for 250+ yards in three of his starts so far.
Defensively, the Packers are excelling against the run, allowing only 76.5 yards per game on the ground—but they’ve been less efficient generating turnovers (just three all season). Micah Parsons is fresh off NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors (3.0 sacks at Arizona) and sits at 5.5 on the season, while Rashan Gary also has 5.5. If the Steelers double team Parsons, Gary’s one-on-ones are going to be hugely important.
The Steelers have a 4–2 mark, and currently sit atop the AFC North. Pittsburgh is fresh from a bitter loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, so Mike Tomlin and company will be hungry for a win.
