Player Profile: Buddy Hield
Best NBA Comparison: J.J. Redick
Ballitics Draft Projection: Top 10
Best Case Scenario: Bradley Beal
Worst Case Scenario: Danny Green
Ballitics Bust Potential: 22%*
*2 out of every 7 shooters fitting Buddy's profile, size, and skill set have been categorized as busts; Ballitics compiled a list of 28 comparable players from Steve Alford to Salim Stoudamire to J.J. Redick.
Buddy dazzled many during his 2016 NCAA Final Four tournament run - drawing comparisons to the likes of Steph Curry (let us live in the moment). NBADraft.Net currently has Buddy Hield as a top 3 selection, ahead of other formidable guards: Kris Dunn (Providence), Jaylen Brown (Cal) and Jamal Murray (Kentucky) http://www.nbadraft.net/2016mock_draft.
While his shooting is impressive, his handle and average ability to create his own shot left a lot to be desired in his final collegiate game - the Final Four match up against the eventual champion Villanova Wildcats. Nova was able to forced Buddy out of his comfort zone and jumped out to a huge lead. This caused Buddy to exert a lot of energy defensively to help Oklahoma back into the game to no avail. Again, I cannot stress this enough, Buddy has an NBA READY jump shot: His quick release and ability to get into his textbook shooting form off of one or two dribble s, is tops in this years draft. However, he is relatively short for the 2 position (6'4"). Granted there are successful shooting guards under 6’5” (Dwyane Wade, Eric Gordon, and Eric Bledsoe), Buddy does not possess the athleticism or explosiveness of any of the guards mentioned previously. His average athleticism (by NBA standards) makes him a bit of a “tweener” (a player who has no true traditional position in the NBA), which is fine, as you may recall Draymond Green was labeled as a “tweener” and he turn out alright (2016 All-Star Selection).
Buddy is not a franchise changer such as Thon Maker (reminds me of Giannis A.), or a future All-Star such as Ben Simmons (reminds me of Lamar Odom); but he is a knock down shooter that can fit into the system of a playoff ready team. Allow me to play GM for a moment, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a good chance this off-season of obtaining a top 5 pick, if that is the case then by all means they should select a game changer like Jamal Murray (reminds me of a bigger Kyle Lowry), Brandon Ingram (reminds me of Rudy Gay/Paul George), or Kris Dunn (reminds me of Damien Lillard) if available. However, if the basketball gods do not give the Wolves a favorable draft position, Buddy Hield at the 8-10 pick would be an exciting pick for them. The Wolves’ Zach Lavine is slowly but surely forming into an enticing PG prospect (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smdmWb-mlQs 37 point game against the Warriors for a glimpse into the future) while Wiggins looks like a future All-Star at the SF position. With Towns being the second coming of Tim Duncan (not an exaggeration) and Shabazz Muhammed off the bench, the Wolves will find ways to score, taking a lot of pressure of Buddy. The slashing ability of Lavine/ Wiggins with the court vision of Towns and Rubio should lead to a lot of open threes for Buddy. The way the Wolves are set up, with their ball handling guards and offensive power at the forward positions, Buddy, for the first time in 4 years will not be the focus of a defensive scheme. He should be able to take advantage as the Wolves’ can hide his ball handing and playmaking flaws in their offense. The Wolves have a chance this season to add a future All-Star like Ingram or Murray...but if not Buddy Hield would not be a bad consolation prize.
Is it me or do the Wolves look like the Clippers Midwest?!
Best NBA Comparison: J.J. Redick
Ballitics Draft Projection: Top 10
Best Case Scenario: Bradley Beal
Worst Case Scenario: Danny Green
Ballitics Bust Potential: 22%*
*2 out of every 7 shooters fitting Buddy's profile, size, and skill set have been categorized as busts; Ballitics compiled a list of 28 comparable players from Steve Alford to Salim Stoudamire to J.J. Redick.
Buddy dazzled many during his 2016 NCAA Final Four tournament run - drawing comparisons to the likes of Steph Curry (let us live in the moment). NBADraft.Net currently has Buddy Hield as a top 3 selection, ahead of other formidable guards: Kris Dunn (Providence), Jaylen Brown (Cal) and Jamal Murray (Kentucky) http://www.nbadraft.net/2016mock_draft.
While his shooting is impressive, his handle and average ability to create his own shot left a lot to be desired in his final collegiate game - the Final Four match up against the eventual champion Villanova Wildcats. Nova was able to forced Buddy out of his comfort zone and jumped out to a huge lead. This caused Buddy to exert a lot of energy defensively to help Oklahoma back into the game to no avail. Again, I cannot stress this enough, Buddy has an NBA READY jump shot: His quick release and ability to get into his textbook shooting form off of one or two dribble s, is tops in this years draft. However, he is relatively short for the 2 position (6'4"). Granted there are successful shooting guards under 6’5” (Dwyane Wade, Eric Gordon, and Eric Bledsoe), Buddy does not possess the athleticism or explosiveness of any of the guards mentioned previously. His average athleticism (by NBA standards) makes him a bit of a “tweener” (a player who has no true traditional position in the NBA), which is fine, as you may recall Draymond Green was labeled as a “tweener” and he turn out alright (2016 All-Star Selection).
Buddy is not a franchise changer such as Thon Maker (reminds me of Giannis A.), or a future All-Star such as Ben Simmons (reminds me of Lamar Odom); but he is a knock down shooter that can fit into the system of a playoff ready team. Allow me to play GM for a moment, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a good chance this off-season of obtaining a top 5 pick, if that is the case then by all means they should select a game changer like Jamal Murray (reminds me of a bigger Kyle Lowry), Brandon Ingram (reminds me of Rudy Gay/Paul George), or Kris Dunn (reminds me of Damien Lillard) if available. However, if the basketball gods do not give the Wolves a favorable draft position, Buddy Hield at the 8-10 pick would be an exciting pick for them. The Wolves’ Zach Lavine is slowly but surely forming into an enticing PG prospect (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smdmWb-mlQs 37 point game against the Warriors for a glimpse into the future) while Wiggins looks like a future All-Star at the SF position. With Towns being the second coming of Tim Duncan (not an exaggeration) and Shabazz Muhammed off the bench, the Wolves will find ways to score, taking a lot of pressure of Buddy. The slashing ability of Lavine/ Wiggins with the court vision of Towns and Rubio should lead to a lot of open threes for Buddy. The way the Wolves are set up, with their ball handling guards and offensive power at the forward positions, Buddy, for the first time in 4 years will not be the focus of a defensive scheme. He should be able to take advantage as the Wolves’ can hide his ball handing and playmaking flaws in their offense. The Wolves have a chance this season to add a future All-Star like Ingram or Murray...but if not Buddy Hield would not be a bad consolation prize.
Is it me or do the Wolves look like the Clippers Midwest?!