A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Where does Buddy Hield rank among the league’s top shooters?

By Jonathan Roberts

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over the out stretched arm of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during their NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 11, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over the out stretched arm of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during their NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 11, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 26: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 26: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In the midst of a breakout year, Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield has emerged as one of the league’s premier marksmen, but where does he rank among the best?

Buddy Hield has been a revelation for the Sacramento Kings this season. Coming over as the centerpiece in the DeMarcus Cousins trade and labeled as the ‘next Steph Curry‘ by Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, there was doubt Buddy Hield could be anything more than niche NBA marksman — let alone live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him by ownership.

Regardless, Hield has emerged as a bona-fide star for the Sacramento Kings, in addition to blossoming into one of the NBA’s best marksmen — and potentially the best this season. Still, there’s a lot of competition for that title, as the likes of Malcolm Brogdon and Tobias Harris have become absolute forces shooting the ball, while the likes of Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant still exist.

More from A Royal Pain

To decide the league’s top shooters this season, we’re going to look, not only at three-point percentage, but also efficiency when shooting mid-range jumpers (10 feet and beyond), as well as their free-throw shooting. We’ll decide how they’re ranked by assessing points based on where they rank in FG% 10-16 feet, FG% 16<3PT and FT%. Points will be worth double when ranking according to volume and three-point percentage.

With that in mind, our pool of players was chosen by selecting only those who’ve appeared in at least 30 games, who average at least 8.5 shots per game (field goals and free throws) and who hold traditional shooting splits of at least 45/38/84. Players must also attempt at least three three’s per game.

Specific? Yes, but that leaves us with 12 players who fit our criteria: Joe Harris (BKN), Steph Curry (GSW), Danilo Gallinari (LAC), Tobias Harris (LAC), D.J. Agustin (ORL), Marcus Morris (BOS), Malcolm Brogdon (MIL), Malik Beasley (DEN), Bryn Forbes (SAS), Kyrie Irving (BOS), Kevin Durant (GSW) and of course — Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

Right off the bat, the biggest takeaways is that Klay Thompson isn’t there, he missed our cutoff for free throw shooting and three-point percentage. Regardless, there’s no doubting Klay is one of the league’s best shooters. In fact, despite a down season, he would still rank ninth by our metric, thanks to high-volume and solid mid-range shooting, even though he would be dead-last in three-point shooting.

light. Must Read. Three reasons to trade for Jeremy Lin

Other takeaways, the Pacific Division is absolutely loaded with shooters and a few major surprises in Augustin, Forbes and Joe Harris being represented. So, how do they stack up to each other? More importantly, where does Buddy Hield rank among them?

Home/Kings News