Buddy Hield's Second Season Recap

[WaymanFan]

I can't help but cheer this guy on from the sidelines. He really should be the poster boy for those who are trying to make a decision to enter the NBA draft early even though they may not be a first-round pick. He completed the year averaging 13.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.9 APG. His PER (Player Efficiency Rating) was 16.13. All of these were marked improvements over his rookie season.

Critics will point out that some of his sophomore numbers weren't as good as they were in his "sample size" of 25 games as a Sacramento King last year. However, they just threw him to the wolves and let him eat up a lot more minutes than he was getting this year as basically in a "sixth man" role. Plus, his PER was up this year from at any point of his rookie season.

Buddy also finished 9th in the NBA with a .431 3-pt FG%. Only two of the eight in front of him, though, made more three-pointers. All in all, it was a nice second season for him, but we'll see if this is basically his ceiling or if he can make improvements. Most notably, he needs to get his assists closer to 3 a game vs. just 2, and he needs to shoot better from inside the arc. Still, we all know the guy is giving it his all and will be the best he can possibly be.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Their roster was an odd mix of kids and guys at the tail end of their careers, so it took them a while to figure out their rotation. Once that settled in, Buddy was very good. His numbers over the last several weeks were outstanding. And given his three point shooting through two full seasons, I hope that next year, if he shoots poorly the first couple weeks, we don't have any posters questioning whether he has what it takes to survive in the NBA -- we had to endure that about five games into this season. He is a great three point shooter, even by NBA standards. It would be nice if he can show improvement in other areas, and given how hard he works, it's certainly possible. But in the NBA, most guys other than the true stars are specialists to some extent -- shooters, rebounders, defenders, ball handlers, etc. If you do one thing at a very high level, which Buddy does, you will have a very long career.

 

[BCSooners]

Great recap, my favorite player in the nba right now.

 

[ellissooner]

I can't help but cheer this guy on from the sidelines. He really should be the poster boy for those who are trying to make a decision to enter the NBA draft early even though they may not be a first-round pick. He completed the year averaging 13.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.9 APG. His PER (Player Efficiency Rating) was 16.13. All of these were marked improvements over his rookie season.

Critics will point out that some of his sophomore numbers weren't as good as they were in his "sample size" of 25 games as a Sacramento King last year. However, they just threw him to the wolves and let him eat up a lot more minutes than he was getting this year as basically in a "sixth man" role. Plus, his PER was up this year from at any point of his rookie season.

Buddy also finished 9th in the NBA with a .431 3-pt FG%. Only two of the eight in front of him, though, made more three-pointers. All in all, it was a nice second season for him, but we'll see if this is basically his ceiling or if he can make improvements. Most notably, he needs to get his assists closer to 3 a game vs. just 2, and he needs to shoot better from inside the arc. Still, we all know the guy is giving it his all and will be the best he can possibly be.

OKC sure could use a shooter like him off the bench.

 

[mardaddy51]

OKC sure could use a shooter like him off the bench.

Totally agree. Him paired with Felton & Grant would be a nice bench.

 

[sheepdogs1]

He'll get better as he ages for he comes across as a person ,like many, who are a "deer in headlights" and starting at New Orleans came a little too early for him.

 

[hoopsaustin]

He's exceeding my predictions for him but he's about where i figured he'd be. I think he'll improve still yet

 

[usedtobe1]

Nobody works harder than Buddy to get better. Plus he’s a good teammate. I think he will be around the NBA for a lot of years because of those attributes. He may not be a superstar but he’s solid.

 

[red recluse]

defense is getting much better, and he's becoming a really good, unselfish passer. maybe they can get lucky in the lottery and get bagley or ayton.

 

[Matthew G]

Kings absolutely love him. Announcers talked a ton about how much better he's gotten as a player. He's no longer just a spot up shooter. He's doing a lot of little things to help get guys open and becoming a complete player.

 

[NickZepp]

He's absolutely going to be a good player for a long time. I don't see him being a star level player. His numbers 2 years in are similar to James Harden. I don't think he'll be that good a player. I've said before he'll be similar to a JJ Reddick type who is actually having some really good years the last few years. But that's the type of player I've always seen him as. Solid shooter that can be a bit deceptively athletic and do a few more things people wouldn't expect. Redick averaged 17 points a game this year and has been around for like 13 years or so now. But it took him about 4 or 5 years to get to Buddy's current level of play.

 

[NY Soonerfan]

He's absolutely going to be a good player for a long time. I don't see him being a star level player. His numbers 2 years in are similar to James Harden. I don't think he'll be that good a player. I've said before he'll be similar to a JJ Reddick type who is actually having some really good years the last few years. But that's the type of player I've always seen him as. Solid shooter that can be a bit deceptively athletic and do a few more things people wouldn't expect. Redick averaged 17 points a game this year and has been around for like 13 years or so now. But it took him about 4 or 5 years to get to Buddy's current level of play.

I think the "system" Sacramento is employing is a big reason his numbers aren't higher. They basically play 10 guys about 20 mins a night, with no real rhyme or reason to a rotation. I've seen Buddy score 20 points one night and get 32 minutes, and the next night he plays 14 minutes. It's kind of head-scratching from afar. I think when they finally settle on a rotation, and therefore Buddy gets more/consistent minutes, he'll really take off. Over his last 15 games or so of the season he had a great stretch, probably average 18 a game or so. His future seems really bright.