Is the NBA in Buddy's future?

[AdaSooner]

I have no idea if NBA Draft Insider is a credible source for draft projections. I noticed that Buddy's name is on the site's list at the #48 spot and wondered what you guys think. Is he a candidate to come out after this year if he is drafted in the top 50? I can see the potential down the road a ways, but feel that he still has some work to do before making himself available for the NBA draft.

http://www.nbadraftinsider.com/

He is also featured in a blog scouting report on this site. The blog was written in late December:

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Buddy Hield – Sophomore – Guard – Oklahoma

Oklahoma guard Buddy HieldWho? Last year Buddy Hield (No. 42 Overall) was more reserved in the offense with other contributing upperclassmen taking most of the load on that side of the court. This year has been a different story as he is one of the main play-makers on the offensive end and has been allowed more freedom with the ball.

Hield is not an elite ball-handler or play-maker, more of a slashing two-guard built in a similar school of style as Victor Oladipo.

Those two had very similar freshmen seasons where they were underutilized and did not make a major impact, but the flashes were there. Hield has shown flashes now through a season and a third to being a quality slashing off the ball scorer with the ability to defend the perimeter. His ceiling may not be at the same height as Oladipo’s, but Hield has a similar game that is improving incrementally, even quicker I think.

This season he has added a more consistent three-point shot to his repertoire.

Hield has made 22 threes this season compared to 19 last year without sacrificing efficiency. On the season he is shooting 37.3% from three and has a true shooting percentage of 57.3%, both large improvements from his freshman year.

With his new role as a play-maker playing more minutes with a larger role (26.1 Usage) and a lower turnover rate (12.2%) than he did last year. Hield is taking care of the ball, attacking the rim to make plays for others, and stretching the floor from three. This season Hield has taken a step back defensively because of his increased role on the offensive end, but he has shown the flashes with his length and athleticism to make plays on that end.

Overall Hield is an attack-first off guard that can make plays with the ball, is a quality defender with his length and athleticism, and is improving at a very high rate which is an important element for any prospect. With a log-jam at the two in this draft towards the 30′s and 40′s on the Big Board Hield has the opportunity to rise into the first round.

http://www.nbadraftinsider.com/2013...uddy-hield-and-jabari-brown-scouting-reports/

 

[pnkranger]

I think the risk is higher next year. He's just not ready yet, and with no guarantee of being drafted, I think he will wait. If he puts in two more years of improvement, especially in ball-handling and shooting and can assert himself more consistently, he'll have a chance to be a late lottery guy his senior year.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I hope not, for selfish reasons obviously. I think in all honesty he is at least a year away- and he can improve his draft stock significantly over those 2 years. Why go out after sophomore year and get drafted in the 2nd round when you can be a 3-4 year player and take this team to the next level and get drafted in the first round?

 

[WTSooner]

No chance he leaves after this season, and I doubt he'd leave early at all, unless he was a lotto pick.

Is Hield an NBA guy? I'm not sure. I lean towards no, but he certainly has a chance to grow into one over the next 2+ years.

 

[garyeb2]

No chance he leaves after this season, and I doubt he'd leave early at all, unless he was a lotto pick.

Is Hield an NBA guy? I'm not sure. I lean towards no, but he certainly has a chance to grow into one over the next 2+ years.

This. Same for Spangler.

 

[DenverSooner]

To me it doesn't make a lot of sense for a kid to leave early for a second round draft pick. That is a huge risk with life altering consequences if it doesn't work out. Get your degree and then take a shot at the NBA as a second round pick.

 

[campbest]

He would be crazy to leave this year.

The Oladipo comparisons is plausible, but he has some growing to do to get there.

 

[quick release]

Spangler needs to grow about 4-5 inches to be an NBA 4.

 

[jerry]

No chance he leaves after this season, and I doubt he'd leave early at all, unless he was a lotto pick.

Is Hield an NBA guy? I'm not sure. I lean towards no, but he certainly has a chance to grow into one over the next 2+ years.

Well said and I agree.

 

[WaymanFan]

It may also depend on whether or not he likes being in school. Every year, there are more early entries than there are total draft picks (60). Either these players are constantly getting bad advice, or they just don't want to be in college. From a common sense standpoint, guys should stay unless they're going to be a 1st round draft pick since they're the only ones who have guaranteed contracts.

I said this in another thread a couple of months back, but we're an NBA two-guard short of competing with most schools in a computer-simulated game based on NBA alum. I remember back in the eighties when The Sporting News did a Sweet 16 tournament of NBA alum. If someone ever did another one, we'd definitely be one of those schools if we can get a 2-guard...we're counting on you Buddy!...but not for a couple of years.

 

[152219]

This. Same for Spangler.

Disagree about Spangler. Not nearly athletic enough to play in the NBA to guard NBA power forwards. Griffin, Aldridge, Love, etc would eat him alive.

 

[BCSooners]

Disagree about Spangler. Not nearly athletic enough to play in the NBA to guard NBA power forwards. Griffin, Aldridge, Love, etc would eat him alive.

Those guys eat everyone alive. If he improves his jumpshot and perimeter defense he could be a shorter nick collison.

 

[BruinSooner]

Disagree about Spangler. Not nearly athletic enough to play in the NBA to guard NBA power forwards. Griffin, Aldridge, Love, etc would eat him alive.

Those guys eat everyone alive. Spangler is a poor man's Love...not hyper-athletic but good basketball IQ and a gamer. Problem for Ryan is he's not as good a shooter and 2-3 inches shorter.

 

[garyeb2]

Disagree about Spangler. Not nearly athletic enough to play in the NBA to guard NBA power forwards. Griffin, Aldridge, Love, etc would eat him alive.

What are we disagreeing about? I don't think he is a leave school early NBA talent. But, he is a redshirt soph. I'm certainly not going to say that Spangler won't continue to develope or predict what his game might look like in two years.

 

[BruinSooner]

Did anyone hear Fran Fraschilla say that Buddy is a "3 year guy?"

Called him a natural scorer and could leave early.

Me: If he improves next year, he could push into the late 1st round. He may just go.

 

[originalsooner55]

Spangler needs to grow about 4-5 inches to be an NBA 4.

So a 7' or 7'1" 4 position????? Things that make you go um....

 

[originalsooner55]

Disagree about Spangler. Not nearly athletic enough to play in the NBA to guard NBA power forwards. Griffin, Aldridge, Love, etc would eat him alive.

Most people on here know I am probably the most familiar with Ryan, except for maybe Gary (since he watches alot of their practices and is more in the know than I am now), but I have and still am following Ryans career. I had the privledge(I guess it was) to set behind some NBA scouts and Reps. during the Iowa State game, and about midway in the 1st half I heard them start talking about Ryan, so being nosey, I listen to what they were saying, and actually looked over their shoulders a few times to see what they were writing down. They had written a little on a few players, but on Ryan they had at least a half page or more written down. I won't go into detail what was said or written down, but will say that 152219 probably doesn't need to evaluate any players.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Why won't you share what was written?

 

[originalsooner55]

Why won't you share what was written?

Because I did not get to read everything and I would only be speculating on what was written as a whole and I don't won't to do that. I do know everytime Spangler did something good, the scouts would look at each other, give a approval facial expression and write down the info.

 

[152219]

What are we disagreeing about? I don't think he is a leave school early NBA talent. But, he is a redshirt soph. I'm certainly not going to say that Spangler won't continue to develope or predict what his game might look like in two years.

About him growing into a NBA player.