Buddy Hield fitting well in new role: On pace for big second half
By Eric Clark
Buddy Hield continues to make an impact for the Sacramento Kings, despite having to fit in a new role this season. Continue reading for more analysis.
Before the season began, some envisioned Buddy Hield as the shooting guard of the Sacramento Kings‘ future. Some fans even considered him a lock as the Kings starting shooting guard this season. Tunes changed, and it was difficult to be as committal to such a bold statement after a slow start to the season.
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Hield’s role might be best suited for coming off of the bench due to the emergence of Bogdan Bogdanovic. One thing that we know for sure is Buddy Hield is an extraordinary young talent, and his game is still developing and rounding into form. His recent selection to the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend only reaffirms his steady ascent up the NBA talent ladder. The jig is up, the cat is out of the bag, and the rest of the NBA has taken notice.
Understanding His Role
The former Oklahoma product has settled into his role as a spark off of the bench. Hield’s skills are invaluable to a Kings offense that ranks dead last in the NBA averaging a meager 98 points scored per game. Buddy Hield is an elite shooter who can create off the dribble and has a quick first step that he tops off with a polished mid-range game. Even when Hield has experienced his shooting slumps over the course of the season, he always seems to manage to bounce back and regain his lethal accuracy from behind the arc. The Kings, per ESPN, are shockingly second in the NBA only to the Golden State Warriors in total 3 point percentage. You have to figure that a prolific shooter such as Hield is a considerable part of that impressive feat.
Despite coming off of the bench and playing slightly fewer minutes this season, Hield has still managed to show his value and post substantial numbers. The second-year guard is averaging 12.5 points per game while shooting 43% from the field. Tuesday night versus Orlando, Hield scored 13 points and shot 50% from 3 point range. Hield also managed to corral five rebounds and four steals in what ended up being a pretty productive night for the Bahamanian phenom.
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We know Buddy Hield can be special. He proved it last year when he sparked a comeback win with his late-game heroics versus the Clippers. His role this season may have diminished-but his impact nonetheless remains evident.