Sooners in the Pros: 2016-17

[BoulderSooner]

Jamal Murray, the 19 year old from Kentucky who went #7 to Denver is showing some promise too... Several years younger than Buddy.

Averaging 12/4/2 off the bench for the Nuggets in the last 10 games. He's now averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers and 2.3 assists in 28.5 minutes per game over the last four contests. He's shooting 40% from the 3pt line. 32-82...

Buddy is averaging 3 ppg over his last 10, shooting 23% from the 3pt line... 18-76.

Something tells me these two should have been swapped... Jamal Murray is 19 years old, and looks like a star in the making. ESPN is reporting that Buddy is going to a minor bench role.

Feel bad for Buddy, but maybe the reduced pressure will give him a chance to adjust to the NBA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZpRhLUeh2I

once again what are you talking about .. at the time of your post murrays last four games were 0 2 9 and 9 points .. a solid 5 ppg

 

[sperry]

Denzel Valentine has somehow been worse than Buddy so far this year. I thought both would be good players, and both have been complete disasters thus far.

 

[skyvue]

Buddy started and played 34 minutes tonight (!) but without great success (though, to be fair, not much worse than most of the rest of the team -- only two guys reached double figures). Six points, four rebounds, two assists, 2-of-12 overall, 2-of-6 from three.

 

[cjhsooner]

If (and it is a big IF) Buddy's shot doesn't come along, he could be seen as a massive bust. He is a shooter, and a shooter that can't shoot is absolutely worthless!

 

[sperry]

If (and it is a big IF) Buddy's shot doesn't come along, he could be seen as a massive bust. He is a shooter, and a shooter that can't shoot is absolutely worthless!

Agreed. It's already to the point where the Pelicans need to forget about Buddy doing anything but shooting 3s. Use him as an Anthony Morrow that plays better defense, and if he ever develops anything off the ball that's gravy. But it's eminently clear that he's not close to ready to creating his own shot or carrying a scoring load in the NBA.

Last night may have been rock bottom. Buddy was 2-12 and the Pelicans got drubbed by the sixers at home.

 

[pnkranger]

Agreed. It's already to the point where the Pelicans need to forget about Buddy doing anything but shooting 3s. Use him as an Anthony Morrow that plays better defense, and if he ever develops anything off the ball that's gravy. But it's eminently clear that he's not close to ready to creating his own shot or carrying a scoring load in the NBA.

Last night may have been rock bottom. Buddy was 2-12 and the Pelicans got drubbed by the sixers at home.

Buddy is actually shooting fine inside the arc. His 3 PT % is terrible though.

 

[sperry]

Buddy is actually shooting fine inside the arc. His 3 PT % is terrible though.

He's shooting 44% from 2. That's terrible.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He's shooting 44% from 2. That's terrible.

while not great, that isn't terrible

 

[skyvue]

Buddy started tonight and scored 15 points in 35 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting (2 of 6 from deep). He also had three rebounds and five assists.

 

[AdaSooner]

Buddy started tonight and scored 15 points in 35 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting (2 of 6 from deep). He also had three rebounds and five assists.

The announcers made some good points about Buddy, comparing his rough start to what J. J. Reddick went through early on when he averaged 3, 9 and 5 ppg (going from memory here) in his first three seasons. One of them even said Buddy was the "Pelican's future" in the backcourt.

They also called attention to the difference in the three point line and the adjustment necessary to knock down shots from a full step further than Buddy was accustomed to in college. Lots of positives during this broadcast, including more playing time.

 

[BCSooners]

Buddy started tonight and scored 15 points in 35 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting (2 of 6 from deep). He also had three rebounds and five assists.

Great stat line. Going to be important for him to keep developing his playmaking & defense, never been worried that his shot will come around.

 

[sheepdogs1]

He's played well in two of the last three games so hopefully he can keep it going.

 

[sperry]

Great to see Buddy have a good game. Hopefully that builds some momentum for him.

 

[pnkranger]

He's shooting 44% from 2. That's terrible.

Lots of NBA starters shooting worse than this. Derozan is a career 46% 2 pt shooter, and he's an all star. Buddy'a not a post. 44% is respectable for a 2 guard in the NBA.

 

[sheepdogs1]

Scored 9 points in 13 minutes of gametime (started).

 

[sperry]

Lots of NBA starters shooting worse than this. Derozan is a career 46% 2 pt shooter, and he's an all star. Buddy'a not a post. 44% is respectable for a 2 guard in the NBA.

Derozan's percentages were dragged down because early in his career he was the only person who could create his own shot on bad Raptors teams. Buddy can't create his own shot, and doesn't shoot at near the volume of Derozan. 44% is really bad. It's well below league average for rotation players, and will get you out of the league in a hurry if you're not doing other things well.

 

[Price is Right]

I wouldn't say it's really bad but can certainly get better. Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, Paul George, Bradley Beal, Dwayne wade and Goran dragic, among a slew of other good perimeter players are in the 45 to 47 percent range on the season for some perspective.

 

[MichaelM]

I just ran across this site that lets you search NBA highlights by keywords. Put in "Hield" and it will show you all of his plays that they have clips of.

https://3ball.io/hield

 

[AdaSooner]

Cool site! Thanks, MichaelM.

 

[sybarite]

I didn't know Buddy was at 44%. But, my real surprise is that so many seem pleased that he is struggling?