Attitude makes Buddy Hield spark for Sooners

[OUHoops]

http://normantranscript.com/sports/x730425963/Attitude-makes-Buddy-spark-for-Sooners

 

[AdaSooner]

I don't believe there is any question that moving Buddy to the starting lineup played a significant role in the turnaround we've seen in the past few weeks. His gunslinger style leaves you scratching your head sometimes. But he also brings an athleticism and a skill set that no one else on our roster can match. That, and the attitude he expresses in the quote below are the things that make him special.

“I want to be one of the people that helps bring a winning culture back,” Hield said. “Winning is habit. I hate losing. Everybody hates it, but losing is a feeling I try to stay far away from.”

Buddy is not the first to say they hate to lose and they want to be part of bringing back a winning culture to OU. But he's definitely the most believable by the way he plays every minute he's on the floor. The only other player on the team who even comes close is Romero Osby. If the other players learn to follow their lead and mimic their intensity, this team will be hard to beat.

 

[Stikboy]

I think the move has been great also. Buddy gets lots of rebounds, steals, and what has surprised me lots of assists. His assist to turnover ratio was atrocious when he was coming off the bench. But since starting, it's really good. Another thing I've noticed though is his scoring has really gone down. He seems to be passing up shots he used to take. I'm all about shot selection, but I was hoping he'd have even higher scoring numbers starting. Maybe that will come later..

 

[AdaSooner]

I think the move has been great also. Buddy gets lots of rebounds, steals, and what has surprised me lots of assists. His assist to turnover ratio was atrocious when he was coming off the bench. But since starting, it's really good. Another thing I've noticed though is his scoring has really gone down. He seems to be passing up shots he used to take. I'm all about shot selection, but I was hoping he'd have even higher scoring numbers starting. Maybe that will come later..

A better shot selection has a lot to do with the reduction in his turnovers, though. That's one of the things I was talking about when I brought up Buddy's gunslinger style. He's taking better shots in the flow of the offense now, not going one on one with moves that sometimes left him out on a limb with no place to go but throw up a bad shot or turn the ball over.

While I miss the "street ball" Buddy Hield, the one we're seeing now is rapidly becoming a complete player with a very bright future at OU. I think in time that Coach Kruger will turn him loose to create more shots on his own, something he is better at than anyone else on the team.