Watching Buddy Hield...

[VF21]

We've got a thread for WCS so I thought maybe a thread to track/discuss Buddy's progress would also be a good idea. Scrolling through Twitter, I found this and thought it was a great way to start said thread.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1055489169907081217

The only player that has ever frustrated me as much as Buddy was Francisco Garcia. I honestly think Buddy could be much better, especially in the 6th man role - but only if he can find a way to keep from shooting himself in the foot. What say you?

 

[parker]

I'd like Buddy as the 6th man, but that is because the bench scoring needs some major help and isn't a slight to Buddy. Comparing Buddy to Francisco, maybe in the brain fart department, but certainly not in the level of skill, ability and potential.

Buddy can and has carried this team at times. He has tremendous value in my opinion.

 

[DesertFox]

Buddy will need to take on a Korver like role, running around and spotting up, and he can be a very good compliment starting next to Fox and Bagley.

I understand they're rebuilding and want him to work on his weaknesses, but it's getting close to the point where he needs to focus on his elite skill.

 

[sergmatt]

Buddy Hield is an interesting player in that he's a guy that is both underrated and overrated all at the same time. It depends on whom you ask and what his/her expectations were then (when Buddy was drafted) and now.

Buddy Hield Positives:
Very good to great outside shooter with a solid mid range jumper as well. Pretty streaky shooter but tends to get hot when it matters in the 4th quarter. At times can single handedly shoot the team back into the game or keep the team in the game. Can really get hot and score in bunches when team needs it most. Pretty clutch and not afraid of taking big shots. I don't think he has Fox's level of clutch but Buddy definitely has no problem knocking down big shots late. At this point in his career he's an above average defender (most of the time but has lapses) and works hard on the defensive end and seems to defend well late in the 4th quarter when needed. Pretty good rebounder for his position which helps when your starting center is WCS. Seems to be a good teammate and the type of guy that encourages and inspires teammates to work harder.

Buddy Hield Neutrals:
Average finisher around the rim. Average playmaker for his position and not the kind of guy that can really create offense for others. Not a bad passer and will look for the open man but doesn't pass a guy open or anticipate.

Buddy Hield Negatives:
Below average ball-handler for his position and this really limits his potential. His ball handling has only improved a little over the last couple years and at this point he's just never going to be a great or even good ball handler that can take defenders off the dribble. Buddy's biggest problem in terms of ball handling though isn't that he's a poor ball handler.........it's that he doesn't seem to realize his limitations. He still makes way too many mistakes with the ball in his hand and either loses control of the ball in traffic or has it stolen. Tends to make some real bonehead decisions with the ball in his hands late in games and we're going on 2+ seasons of this now. Sometimes knowing what you can't do is equally as important is knowing what you can do. Buddy also doesn't seem to have a particular high basketball IQ. He has a great motor and he works really hard but a lot of this only covers up his lack of anticipation. Succeeds on the defensive end almost entirely on hustle and willpower which makes him prone to getting picked off on blind screens and backdoor cuts. He's a guy that has to work really hard to achieve the results he has. I don't think the game comes as naturally to him as it does a guy like Bogdan or even De'Aaron.

With all that said Buddy Hield is an above average NBA player and very useful even for a good team but he's never going to be an all-star. Best case scenario going forward he would be the ideal 6th man on a good team. He's the type of guy you want in the game during the 4th quarter and especially late when you need a big shot.

 

[Cojc]

Buddy has a lot going for him and is one our best players, Having said that here’s my take.
He was a top pick (6th) and this is his 3rd year in the NBA but he is 24 and has played enough basketball that you would hope he knows by now how to inbound or call a time out.

And the coaching needs to install how to bring the ball up against pressure you know is coming. Why was only himself and one other player back there. What were the other two guards doing when you know they are going to trap and then foul when you pass out of it.

I see a player that can create his own shots and in his 4th or 5th year at his progression is a keeper.
I know you expect someone his age to be better but I think this could begin his breakthrough year.

 

[Sluggah]

my feelings on buddy are best summarized by a sticker on my work computer.

 

[gunks]

I put 6th man, but he's starter quality.

I think that playing with another ball handler/playmaker (Bogi) will help Fox out, so it's more about fit.

And yes, Buddy will make several bone headed plays per game, but he's a nightly 20 point threat. He may taketh away, but he also giveth more than Cisco ever did!

I like Buddy. He's going to keep getting better too. He'll probably always drive us nuts from time to time, but the dude is money from 3. You don't get a nickname like Buddy Buckets for nothing!

 

[SacTownKid]

You have to remember they are giving him a chance to improve in those areas of the game that if he does, he'll be truly special. As of now, his 3 point rate is near 30%. I'm not sure that at his best it should ever be that low, but that he is right now and stll running out with such a high eFG% shows that as a driver and off pick and roll he's doing pretty darn good.

 

[SacTownKid]

Buddy has a lot going for him and is one our best players, Having said that here’s my take.
He was a top pick (6th) and this is his 3rd year in the NBA but he is 24 and has played enough basketball that you would hope he knows by now how to inbound or call a time out.

And the coaching needs to install how to bring the ball up against pressure you know is coming. Why was only himself and one other player back there. What were the other two guards doing when you know they are going to trap and then foul when you pass out of it.

I see a player that can create his own shots and in his 4th or 5th year at his progression is a keeper.
I know you expect someone his age to be better but I think this could begin his breakthrough year.

Brain farts will happen, and Buddy has his share but the impact seems to always outweigh them. Buddy had 4 years in college but also remember it wasn't until his senior year did he get the chance to be the "man". So he's a little younger in his game and also, I'd bet it's safe to say most coaches would never have Buddy putting the ball in bounds in crunch time like that as DC brought up during the game. You usually send your shooters to the other end so if they get fouled they get to the line. Not to mention having a big somewhat slow Bjelica being his safety valve. Nobody was open. Buddy should have busted through the double on the previous play but he partially did the right thing and waited for the trap but nobody else came to the ball. I think that was an instance where he figured what the defense was going to do and gave it to them when he should have stayed aggressive. The refs really seem to allow teams to swipe at him and I'm hoping as some point they start giving him more of the benefit of the doubt.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

For me, I'd never compare Buddy to Francisco or really any other Kings player. Unlike many that have previously played for the Kings, when I see Buddy with an open shot -- I expect it to go in. I get mad/disappointed when it doesn't. That's how good of a shooter he is. And why I get the comparison to Peja -- with whom I had the same expectation. But that's where the comparison ends for me.

I further appreciate the work Buddy has put into his game. It's obvious he's been working on his handles and getting to the rim. He also surprises with hustle plays. For example the tip-in he had in last nights game.

When asked about FOX last night during the post game interview, he said "he's young but he's still growing and I'm still growing too". I love that attitude from him. Never content and driven to improve.

IDK if Buddy will ever be more than a role player on a good team, but his chances of becoming much more are far greater with that kind of attitude. That's something most players that have come through this franchise have sorely been lacking.

 

[SacTownKid]

On this team he's a starter easily and their best shot maker. Teams will start clamping down on Fox at some point and some of those interior shots will get tougher. That's when we hopefully see more 3 balls and the 3 point rate for Buddy to climb back into the .45 range. I still think Fox, Buddy, and Bogdan playing together is crucial to the teams development moving on. They can and should be able to play extremely well as a unit.

 

[ockingsfan]

Buddy is a quality starter, but he needs a good ball handler at Point Guard and Small Forward so he can just catch and shoot, like JJ Redick.

I think Buddy's game and comfort level will go up a notch once Bogdan comes back to handle the ball more at the Small Forward position.

 

[SacTownKid]

For me, I'd never compare Buddy to Francisco or really any other Kings player. Unlike many that have previously played for the Kings, when I see Buddy with an open shot -- I expect it to go in. I get mad/disappointed when it doesn't. That's how good of a shooter he is. And why I get the comparison to Peja -- with whom I had the same expectation. But that's where the comparison ends for me.

I further appreciate the work Buddy has put into his game. It's obvious he's been working on his handles and getting to the rim. He also surprises with hustle plays. For example the tip-in he had in last nights game.

When asked about FOX last night during the post game interview, he said "he's young but he's still growing and I'm still growing too". I love that attitude from him. Never content and driven to improve.

IDK if Buddy will ever be more than a role player on a good team, but his chances of becoming much more are far greater with that kind of attitude. That's something most players that have come through this franchise have sorely been lacking.

They're both finesse wings. Peja might have had a bit more crap about it because of his size but I think players like that are categorized as being soft because of it. Here's a newsflash for everybody though, the game is softer.

 

[dude12]

He’s an important piece but the frustrating thing with him is how many unforced turnovers are attributed to him. I think he’s a 6th man on this team but that shouldn’t be seen as a knock, rather an important role. Lou Williams type guy. Still getting 24-32 minutes.

When he’s hot and or playing well, just play him. When not, play him less minutes.

 

[macadocious]

Buddy is a poor mans Klay, which is to say, a really good player. Play doesn't dribble all over the place and chuck up contested shots in the lane. Neither should buddy. Honestly, if he takes it down 15% on his spastic drives and initiating offense, and learns to work off ball screens. His PPG and efficiency would go up a lot.

 

[206Fan]

For the people who keep bringing up JJ Reddick and Korver, I think the biggest difference between Buddy and them are their release times. Buddy's got a great looking shot, but he doesn't have their trigger.

 

[itzcoatl]

Buddy is a chucker. 10 years ago that would have been bad. But with the way the league pace is opening up and the increased emphasis on 3s, he is a very valuable player.
I think his shooting is a lot better than Francisco, at least on the eye test. He's a fringe starter and a very good 6th man, on a playoff team, in my opinion. Needs to improve defense. Would be nice if he was a 3&D guy.

 

[mac]

In the Memphis game Buddy was often left with the ball at the top of the key with seconds left to make a play and create. He was able to deliver often enough. That's something Reddick and Korver could never do. His ball handling is shaky but with refinement of his role and continued improvement he is easily going to be one of the better shooting guards in the league going forward.

 

[kingsboi]

I'm not a big Hield supporter but the Kings traded their cornerstone for him so he will be here for the long term. He can't create his own shot very well against tight defense and his handle is suspect, it's on Joerger and staff to utilize him to his strengths and that's less ball handling and more cross screens, cutting, etc. to get him open.

 

[SacTownKid]

Buddy is a chucker. 10 years ago that would have been bad. But with the way the league pace is opening up and the increased emphasis on 3s, he is a very valuable player.
I think his shooting is a lot better than Francisco, at least on the eye test. He's a fringe starter and a very good 6th man, on a playoff team, in my opinion. Needs to improve defense. Would be nice if he was a 3&D guy.

Is he though? So far this year you have names like JJ Barea, Wes Matthews, Garry Harris, Khris Middleton, JJ Redick, Andre Drummond, and many more that are averaging more shots per 48 than Buddy. Also, the games that the Kings have been competitive in this year if even only at some point have been ones where Buddy's usage is higher. There might be a reason for that.

 

[Ozymandias]

Buddy is still on his rookie deal and still will be on his rookie deal next season, so next year's his 'show me' year. even with his constant foibles he deserves time and the benefit of the doubt til that time.

 

[ESP47]

Buddy is a chucker. 10 years ago that would have been bad. But with the way the league pace is opening up and the increased emphasis on 3s, he is a very valuable player.
I think his shooting is a lot better than Francisco, at least on the eye test. He's a fringe starter and a very good 6th man, on a playoff team, in my opinion. Needs to improve defense. Would be nice if he was a 3&D guy.

Chuckers are players that shoot a lot but aren't actually that good at it. Buddy isn't a chucker. He's just a good shooter.

 

[sactowndog]

Chuckers are players that shoot a lot but aren't actually that good at it. Buddy isn't a chucker. He's just a good shooter.

I think with the way Bagley can get to the rim he will certainly draw double teams. Having players like Buddy who can knock down an open 3 with consistency is an important complementary piece to have.

 

[Kingster]

Anybody that's getting up there in age has got to have some trepidation watching Buddy Hield on the court. Before you know it, you'll be on your death-bed with stress-related symptoms. Please, Buddy, stop the redundant dribbling. Please, stop the needless turnovers. My heart can't take it!

 

[VF21]

Anybody that's getting up there in age has got to have some trepidation watching Buddy Hield on the court. Before you know it, you'll be on your death-bed with stress-related symptoms. Please, Buddy, stop the redundant dribbling. Please, stop the needless turnovers. My heart can't take it!

And this, in a nutshell, is why I said he reminds me of #32.

 

[Pizzaguy93]

I think Buddy is a perfect best player for our team right now. We’re all over the place, but exciting, and so is he. His energy is infectious. I’m biased in memory obviously but for almost every bad turnover he’s made, there’s been a chase down block. For every dumb foul, there’s a good pass made. For every missed 3, there’s a little Tony Parker/Curry floater from around 15-18 ft. If he becomes a little more consistent in his ability to stay calm with the ball, he will far surpass the Reddick/Korver type. I think his lack of skills in ball handling/playmaking are far more mental than physical. We’re not good enough to try and put guys into roles they’d have on a contender. Right now for our team, it’s just go out and see what we’ve got talent-wise. Buddy could be something really special if he figures it all out. No need to bring the reins in on him yet, no matter how stupid the mistake. He’s confident, sometimes to a fault, but our whole team needs to play the way Buddy Hield plays. Imagine if JJ was aggressive mentally to the point we were all saying “slow down”

 

[John Galt]

6th man all the way - but I consider 6th man crucial and equally valuable as a starter. Jamal Crawford always one of my most favorite and coveted players.

Some people seem to think it is a sign of disrespect but I think it's a claim to fame. Love Buddy... but he's looser and more productive off the bench so why not roll with it?

 

[ockingsfan]

For the people who keep bringing up JJ Reddick and Korver, I think the biggest difference between Buddy and them are their release times. Buddy's got a great looking shot, but he doesn't have their trigger.

Buddy is no slouch in his release time on his shots. All he needs is a little bit of daylight and he can let it fly.

His release is pretty fast and that’s what helps separate him from the other shooting guards on this team.

 

[Nokidding]

What frustrates me about Buddy is on the one hand he's impossible to dislike because he plays super hard and can win you games but than on the other hand he's got some of the worst hands I have ever seen from a guard with real questionable IQ. Not sure what to make of Buddy he's a solid player that probably wins and losses games for you.

 

[206Fan]

Buddy is no slouch in his release time on his shots. All he needs is a little bit of daylight and he can let it fly.

His release is pretty fast and that’s what helps separate him from the other shooting guards on this team.

I would disagree. His shot is on the slower end compared to JJ or Korver. I think this is why we see him pump-fake into a midrange a lot. Very rare that we see Buddy take a heavily contested 3pt shot, and that's basically Korver's bread and butter.