Kings' Luke Walton wants competition, Buddy Hield not guaranteed to start
I really don't think pace is going to be an issue. He ran in LA, the problem is who he thinks he's going to do it with and what the half court sets look like. There is reason LeBron was like oh hell no. Hopefully we see growth from Walton but so far we're hearing things that sound like butthurt more than anything. Gee, wonder why. They just fired his GM and put his replacement over his shoulder. While you can't blame him for being sketched, don't be shy if this heads south Vivek.
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First of all, you're putting a lot of hope in a rookie- I suggest managing expectations or you'll be hating on Haliburton next.
Second of all, Haliburton outplaying Hield has nothing to do with the idea that Hield can be 6MOY on this team, so I'm not sure what your point is. Let me put it this way, if Haliburton outplays Buddy, there is zero chance of Buddy being 6MOY. And if not, Buddy shouldn't be coming off the bench, so he's not getting 6moy either.
Second of all, Haliburton outplaying Hield has nothing to do with the idea that Hield can be 6MOY on this team, so I'm not sure what your point is. Let me put it this way, if Haliburton outplays Buddy, there is zero chance of Buddy being 6MOY. And if not, Buddy shouldn't be coming off the bench, so he's not getting 6moy either.
It's interesting to hear that level of candor from Harrison Barnes since he's generally very composed and diplomatic in his interviews. I wonder if we'll see the players just ignore Luke and run the offense they want to run at some point this season. It seems like the stage may be set for that kind of a player takeover. Nobody really seems to have Luke's back in the organization anymore.
1. Doesn't take much to outplay Buddy. Did Buddy not suck most of last year? So expectations are already moderate.
2. I agree with you, Buddy would never be 6th man of the year. He could, but instead he would pout and play tank commander. As for its relevance? The best man starts. Buddy comes off the bench by the 2H of the season.
2. I agree with you, Buddy would never be 6th man of the year. He could, but instead he would pout and play tank commander. As for its relevance? The best man starts. Buddy comes off the bench by the 2H of the season.
The trinity of Fox-Buddy-Haliburton is the key to Luke's back court because that's how Buddy can be kept as pure shooter and sprinter. Buddy sucked when he stays with the ball for more than 3 seconds or starts to dribble it in traffic. But with Fox and Haliburton always with him at the back court, Buddy should just run around like a headless chicken and get to a spot where he is clear to shoot (the best King players with this game was Kevin Martin and Peja). As one of best sprinters in the league (when he is into it), this should be very fundamental for Buddy to do and he got better physicals than Peja or Kevin Martin. 32 minutes backcourt rotation should be Fox (PG) - Buddy (SG) -> Haliburton (PG)-Buddy (SG) -> Fox (PG) -> Haliburton (SG). But you need to warm your shooter early, and that means Buddy starts and ends games.
Would you agree Walton's use of Buddy did not utilize his talents as well as the previous year when coached by Joerger? Buddy was often bringing the ball up last year and even initiating the offense like he was Kobe or someone he is not. So IMO Walton is responsible if as you say Buddy sucked most of last year.
From an article by James Ham:
Monte McNair said the Kings are going to push the pace this season. Luke Walton said the Kings are going to push the pace this season.
De’Aaron Fox said the Kings are going to push the pace the season. Harrison Barnes took it a step further.
“Running primarily and getting out in transition, will one, just increase our pace, increase some of the shots we’ll be able to get, but it’s just maximizing the personnel that we have. When we have a guy like Fox, who is one of the most dynamic players in the league, to not capitalize on that is criminal.”
Monte McNair said the Kings are going to push the pace this season. Luke Walton said the Kings are going to push the pace this season.
De’Aaron Fox said the Kings are going to push the pace the season. Harrison Barnes took it a step further.
“Running primarily and getting out in transition, will one, just increase our pace, increase some of the shots we’ll be able to get, but it’s just maximizing the personnel that we have. When we have a guy like Fox, who is one of the most dynamic players in the league, to not capitalize on that is criminal.”
The previous Barnes comments are missing a lot of context. Sounds less like Walton bashing and more like he's approving the current strategy. Jones also provides a lot more context on why the Kings played slower last year--half court execution issues, Vlade's preference to improve half court execution, injuries...
Sounds like we'll be seeing a decent amount of Bjelly, Bags, and Kaminsky at the five. And contrary to some folk's belief, Buddy's going to be tasked with attacking (like, actually dribble) from the perimeter (unless, of course, he decides to not do the right thing and chuck the ball instead---likely, because he's a tank commander).
https://theathletic.com/2235624/202...out-to-open-up-the-floor-and-let-guys-create/
Sounds like we'll be seeing a decent amount of Bjelly, Bags, and Kaminsky at the five. And contrary to some folk's belief, Buddy's going to be tasked with attacking (like, actually dribble) from the perimeter (unless, of course, he decides to not do the right thing and chuck the ball instead---likely, because he's a tank commander).
https://theathletic.com/2235624/202...out-to-open-up-the-floor-and-let-guys-create/
Ideally Buddy would get more open looks, but for it to be at it's absolute best, the team needs all 5 to be a triple threat once they receive the ball. But given his propensities, he'll likely chuck the ball 95% of the time.
Imagine if we traded Buddy and kept Bogi. Bogi > Buddy, especially in a 5 out system.
Imagine if we traded Buddy and kept Bogi. Bogi > Buddy, especially in a 5 out system.
Listen, I am not a fan of Buddy either on this Kings team but let's not pretend like he is some scrub. He had a down year yes from his great 19-20 campaign but still put up 19/5/3 and shot the three 39%. I wouldn't call that sucking and am willing to bet there is more than one team that would line up day one if we made Buddy available. The way you talk about him you'd think the guy is the Corliss Williamson of shooting guards.
Buddy is the type of player you have to use just right to get maximum value. I almost think in the role of Bertans. Let him bomb threes. If he is open, he shoots it. Let him crash the boards. Do not expect him to initiate the offense. Do not let him bring the ball up the court. A good coach has to maximize the talents of his players. A properly used Buddy is absolutely an asset.
Buddy isn't bad at everything except shooting like some make it out to be. The issue is that when there are absolutely no other offensive players that scare you on the floor, like when Bagley and Fox are hurt, the opponents go all in to get the ball out of his hands.
Is he elite at ball handling and playmaking (whatever that means to each individual)? No. But decent enough that Hield is a better option to run the offense than Joseph. Decent enough to where he could excel against other NBA teams second units.
Buddy is not a player who can carry a team on his back like your superstar players, but can be an absolute beast on a team that either runs him off screens, etc properly, or has enough talent where opponents would get burned for focusing all of their defensive effort to keep the ball out of Hield's hands.
Is he elite at ball handling and playmaking (whatever that means to each individual)? No. But decent enough that Hield is a better option to run the offense than Joseph. Decent enough to where he could excel against other NBA teams second units.
Buddy is not a player who can carry a team on his back like your superstar players, but can be an absolute beast on a team that either runs him off screens, etc properly, or has enough talent where opponents would get burned for focusing all of their defensive effort to keep the ball out of Hield's hands.
