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Buddy Hield becomes Kings franchise leader in threes made, thriving in bench role

Hield is producing off the bench so far, including rebounding, which will be needed this season
By | 12 Comments | Oct 24, 2021

October 22, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots the basketball against Utah Jazz forward Eric Paschall (0) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Buddy Hield surpassed Peja Stojaković Friday night for most made threes in Sacramento Kings franchise history, finishing the game with 1,076 career threes. It is quite the accomplishment.

The game is much different than it was when Stojakovic played. Hield has averaged 7.4 three-point attempts per game over his career. Peja averaged 5.5 over his career. So, you have to wonder what Peja might have done with the type of usage high-level three-point shooters get in today’s game. That shouldn’t take away anything from what Hield has accomplished in his five seasons in Sacramento though, especially since Hield did it in 332 games and it took Peja 487 games. Buddy is a great shooter and congratulations to him on this achievement.

He also is playing well in his role off the bench so far this season.

A lot has been made about Buddy Hield starting v. coming off the bench during his time in Sacramento. Hield, who is making $22 million this season, wants to start, like any other player in the league, but when he has come off the bench he has produced. We saw it when Bogdan Bogdanovic earned the starting role over him and through two games this season with Tyrese Haliburton starting – Hield has been highly effective as a spark. He is averaging 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He is 46% from the field and 45% from three. If he were to keep that scoring up, he would be on track with his 2018-19 breakout season when he averaged 20.7 points per game.

“He’s been fantastic ever since camp started,” Luke Walton said. “Start, don’t start we’re all in this to win and he’s been 100% bought in and he’s been playing some really good basketball for us.”

Hield’s rebounding is a really welcome sight as this team will need help in that category this season from the guards. In fact, he is third on the team in rebounds behind Harrison Barnes (12!) and Richaun Holmes (10.5). His defensive rebounding has been good. The percentage of opponents missed field goals that Hield rebounded is 20%, according to Cleaning The Glass. That number has never been higher than 13.6% in his career.

“Whenever they call me, I’m doing my job. If I come off a ball screen and teams are doubling me, I hit Richaun [Holmes]. Whenever Luke puts me in, whenever he calls my number, I go in there to do my job. Of course, they want me to score the ball and make plays for my teammates, but whether he starts me, he doesn’t, come off the bench, I just have to be a ready professional and do my assignment and make something happen when I go out there – be effective,” Hield said.

He may have made some changes to his spots on the floor this season also. Hield’s shot chart so far has been slightly different than previous seasons. Small sample size, of course, but through two games, 16% of his threes are from the corner. It has never been higher than 11% in years past, and he is 60% on those corner threes. He also has yet to take a long midrange shot (between the free throw line and three-point line) – though that number dropped from 19%, to 15% to 8% in the three previous seasons, so that may be a shot he is looking to remove from his game.

Now, he still is averaging two turnovers a game, and we can’t ignore the long outlet pass that was off the mark in the final minutes of Friday’s game that resulted in key a turnover. That was definitely a reminder of the type of untimely miscues he is capable of. Overall, though, Hield has been productive and  a positive for the team.

If Hield can keep up his production off the bench, he may end up being in the running for 6th Man of the Year, especially if the Kings can play winning basketball.

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AnybodyButBagley
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October 24, 2021 8:40 am

What about passes into the seats?

He can definitely shoot the ball. Beyond that?

WizsSox
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October 24, 2021 9:42 am

I mean the article literally talked about how he is rebounding well. So maybe that?

1951
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October 24, 2021 8:44 am

We putting Buddy’s jersey in the rafters!?

All jokes and game flaws aside, good on ya Buddy!

Last edited 2 years ago by 1951
Hamlet1989
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October 24, 2021 12:14 pm
Reply to  1951

Build him a statue

HongKongKingsFan
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October 24, 2021 9:06 am

Did some reporters ask Walton why Hield is still handliing the ball, even with the presence of Tyrese/Fox/Mitchell ?

I know Hield can pass, but he is just better at shooting the ball.

Carl
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October 24, 2021 10:55 am

Did some reporters ask

No. The answer is pretty much always no.

Kosta
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October 24, 2021 11:05 am
Reply to  Carl

Guessing if they asked, the answer might be….something about having to watch the tape.

AnybodyButBagley
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October 24, 2021 1:21 pm
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Not enough time in life to watch all the tape they talk about watching.

SuperShaka
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October 24, 2021 10:03 am

Buddy’s willingness to finally accept a bench role has paid early dividends. It looks like it will allow him to minimize the negatives of his game, defense and poor ball handling, while giving him enough usage to mix in some drives with his outside shooting. Buddy’s game has always been a rollercoaster, I’m hoping this year will be a fun ride!

AmateurNerd
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October 24, 2021 10:06 am

This has always been Buddy’s best role–6th man assassin, burying threes and playing against the other team’s bench (at least part-time), where his defensive shortcomings aren’t quite as exposed. His flaws make him an unreliable starter, but he can be an exceptional 6th man.

Last edited 2 years ago by AmateurNerd
eddie41
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October 24, 2021 10:07 am

Yeah, it looks like Buddy is back, and it’s good to see. It might be easier coming off the bench because his role is clearer. But I also think he feeds off the crowd, and some of his decline the last year and a half was in a large part due to the CoVid situation.

BigBodyBibby
October 24, 2021 11:23 am

Buddy is still getting his minutes, but it’s the WHEN those minutes are occurring that’s been key.
By being a part of that second unit, his ability to run past bench guys to the basket has opened up his spot shooting, and he avoids the best wing defenders and most of the guys used to chasing high usage shooters. Cuz Buddy is as nasty at catch and shoot as anyone

If they stopped making/letting him bring the ball upcourt, his usage would be almost perfect so far.

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