Sacramento Kings: Where does Buddy Hield rank among the league’s top shooters?
No. 4 (tie): Kevin Durant, SF Golden State Warriors – 55 Total Points
Somewhat surprisingly, Kevin Durant is the no. 2 ranked forward here, coming in with 55 total points. Despite ranking highly in nearly every category, including topping the list in volume, Durant’s twelfth ranked three-point shooting held him back from potentially taking the top spot. Still, Durant has consistently proven that he’s one of this generations most prolific scorers and is a bona fide Hall of Famer. Also, if you’re wondering whether I put KD fourth on purpose despite him being tied with “third”? I absolutely did.
No. 4 (tie): Buddy Hield, SG Sacramento Kings – 55 Total Points
Sacramento’s young King checks in at third place in our metric (technically fourth, but who’s counting?), tallying 55 points. Buddy was in the top half of every category, except free throw shooting, topping out at eleventh in three-point percentage. His middling volume, however, kept him back from the second place spot, mostly due to his low free throws per game. Still, counting Buddy as the third best shooter in the league seems about right, considering he’s only just starting to come into his own and has to contend with Steph Curry for the crown. But maybe, just maybe, that Buddy-Steph comparison isn’t too far off. Long live Buddy Buckets!
No. 2: Tobias Harris, F Los Angeles Clippers – 58 Total Points
Tobias Harris? Really? Uh, yeah. Remember when I said Malcolm Brogdon was the only player with a legitimate chance at the 50/40/90 club? Well, that’s not *entirely* correct. While unlikely, Harris does have a chance to make it as well and is the one of the only players with a reasonable chance. Tobias is currently shooting .502/.443/.876, well within striking distance, but has been trailing off as the season progresses. Still, Harris is having an incredible season by any metric and is the leading man for an upstart Los Angeles Clippers team that’s firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. Harris ranked top-four in every category except free throw percentage, which ultimately cost him the top spot in our rankings.
No. 1: Steph Curry, PG Golden State Warriors – 66 Total Points
Next. Buddy-for-DeMarcus trade working wonderfully. dark
Was there any doubt? Steph Curry is arguably (not really, but let’s avoid the argument) the best shooter to ever step foot on a basketball court, showing off otherworldly range and shooting prowess on a nightly basis. While an average mid-range shooter among the others, Curry’s third in three-point shooting and second in both volume and free throw shooting, giving him a massive edge over of the rest of the field. Curry is nearing that age-32 season where most declines start to happen, however, meaning Sacramento Kings fans may not have to wait long before seeing Buddy Hield take the top spot in these rankings one day.