Buddy Hield Full Highlights 2016.01.04 Oklahoma at Kansas - NASTY 46 Pts, 8 Threes!
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Buddy Hield, a 64, 212-pound senior for Oklahoma, is currently predicted by DraftExpress to be the ninth pick in the upcoming NBA draft. However, with his 37-point output in the Sooners 80-68 win over Oregon, its certainly possible that Hield will move up the list:
Lets scrutinize Hields performance in the game at hand.
Virtually all of Hields offense resulted from the threat of his long-distance shooting 8-13 from beyond the arc, 13-20 overall. From out there, he shoots the ball on his way up, i.e., before he reaches the apex of his jump. This makes for a quick release, but requires a bit more space to get his shot off.
To create sufficient room, Hields pet move is to dribble left, then step-back and shoot. He does this with much more efficiency than when he makes the same move to his right. Still, his stroke is smooth going either way and he definitely has legitimate NBA range. Hield did, however, hoist an airball on a shot that was about three-or-four feet beyond the NBA extra-point line. However, if anything, the fact that he even took that shot is proof of his confidence.
Hield has the requisite crossover and spin moves, but isnt super-quick with the ball. He did net a driving layup going right, taking advantage of a wide-open lane and minimal defensive pressure. The one time that Hield drove left into a crowd, he was forced to throw up an awkward shot that approached brickness. Its not a stretch to anticipate Hield having difficulty finishing against the bigger, quicker, better interior NBA defenses at least at the beginning of his pro career.
Even in NCAA competition, rather than challenging the bigs in the shadow of the rim, Hield pulls, steps back and shoots a jumper in the paint.
Hes an unselfish passer, but gets in trouble (six turnovers) when he tries to unload the ball while hes aloft. Two of Hields TOs came when he failed to recognize a double-teamer moving to clamp him and his dribble was ripped away.
Even though hes a senior, Hields defense isnt nearly at an NBA level. Thats because he routinely plays defense with quick hands and lazy feet. Sniping at the ball does have its rewards he had a few deflections but no change-of-possession steals yet also results in fouls and a failure to force an opponent to make an adjustment.
Hield gives ground when his man drives, and except for his ball-hawking hands, is totally reactive. Indeed, his rather passive defense led to his being flat-out beaten on the only three occasions when he was attacked mano-a-mano.
Even when he was taken into the low-post, Hield never tried to body his man, using his hands instead to try and touch the entry pass.
Furthermore, Hield tends to wander when hes playing weak-side defense. If he never attempts to fight his way through screens and always switches instead, Hield is doubtlessly following his coachs orders.
Whichever NBA drafts him, and at whatever slot hes taken, Hield will enter the pro ranks strictly as a shooter. As with most rookies, h**l be perpetually chumped on defense, plus h**l have a hard time finishing in a crowd.
And despite Hields hot-shot performance against Oregon, it says here that the No. 9 draft forecast is right on.
However, he is indeed a gifted athlete and, in the NBAs New Age of small ball and long-range bombing, Buddy Hield will be just fine.
Source: http://www.todaysfastbreak.com/nba-draft/rosen-buddy-hield-solidifies-top-10-draft-status/
