The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BUDDY Hield’s playing time and production have fluctuated over the course of his first month in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Following his team’s 91-81 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the rookie guard admitted his progression is not where he expects it to be at this point in the season.

“It’s not where I want to be, to be honest with you but this is just this rookie transition I have to go through. Whenever coach calls me I have to be ready and adjust what I’m doing. [The process] It’s fun but I’m still trying to adjust to everything now, be able to score the ball better and help my teammates,” he said.

“I’m going to get it. I’m a confident player and I’ll always be confident, I just have to stay ready.”

Hield is averaging 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in just over 17 minutes per game.

He has scored just single digits in eight straight games, including a pair of scoreless outings in a back to back against the Atlanta Hawks (November 22) and Minnesota  Timberwolves (November 23).

His last game of double figures scoring came November 12, his best shooting game of the season when he scored 18 against the Los Angeles Lakers on 62 percent shooting from the field.

Since then he has played just over 12 minutes per game over the course of the next eight games.

Since the return of last year’s starting point guard, Jrue Holiday, to the lineup following a family medical issue, Hield has seen his minutes reduced.

According to ESPN.com “Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said Saturday that the Pelicans still want to make Hield a part of the rotation, but he expects the rookie to move into a lesser role because of Holiday’s return.The Pelicans figure to add more backcourt depth, in the form of Tyreke Evans, in the coming weeks, so it will be difficult for the struggling Hield to hold more than a minor bench role.”

Hield is shooting 36 percent from the field and a surprising 24 percent from three point range.

His true shooting percentage is measured at 44 percent, the lowest mark on the team according to Basketball-Reference.com.

True shooting percentage is a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.

In an interview with OU Daily, Hield outlined his early season struggles, but also remained confident that he would be able to correct those issues moving forward.

“The thing is I’ve been up-and-down and struggling trying to find my way. I’m struggling trying to shoot the ball. But it’s something I’m used to, you know? Being at OU was a growing experience, and I just have to grow and get better. I’ve just got to keep trusting what got me here. My teammates and my coaching staff give me confidence and they always have my back, so I’m just riding the wave. And, you know, we’re on a streak right now, so even when I’m going bad I’m just learning as much as I can each and every day and I’m learning from the best. I’m just trying to stay locked in each and every possession,” he said, “Not seeing me make shots. That’s the hardest adjustment. And you know, I’ve gotten better each and every day, but not seeing me make shots is like foreign to me because I’m not used to that. I’m just trying to get past the mental stage and get back to how I was. I’ll be fine though.”

The Pelicans (6-12) look to end a two game losing streak when they host the Lakers (9-9) tonight at 8pm local time at the Smoothie King Center. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports One.