The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BUDDY Hield ended the Sacramento Kings’ first season in the Golden 1 Centre by giving the fanbase a glimpse of what the franchise can expect from the rising star.

Hield set a new career high scoring mark for the third time in a Kings uniform, on a night where he received his second KIA NBA Rookie of the Month award and one the franchise dedicated to fan appreciation.

Hield scored 30 points in the his team’s 129-104 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Kings’ home finale of the 2016-17 season. He shot 12-20 from the field, including 4-8 from three- point range. He improved to 9th all time in three pointers made by a rookie with 146 heading into tonight’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Hield scored 15 of his 30 in the fourth quarter. “We just wanted to go out with a huge impression, something to look forward to next season. The energy felt real good, like opening night again,” he said, “I just can’t wait to work this summer and get better, get to know the guys better, the coaching staff, so we can all connect.”

Kings coach Dave Joerger addressed the growth in Hield’s game during the second half of the season.

“What Buddy is going to learn is to pick and choose his spots. To compare and contrast [on one possession you saw him] come down no pass look for your own shot – and he can make tough shots – versus one where he fakes the pass, fake shot, pops out, rescreens and he pops out again and drills a catch and shoot three where his feet are set. Most pros shoot alot better without the dribble,” he said. “That’s just a glimpse of how experience can help him as he gets better and better and these guys are helping him to get to those opportunities.”

Hield, the former No.6 pick of the New Orleans Pelicans, was one of the principals in a trade, packaged along with Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a future  2017 first-round and second-round pick to Sacramento in exchange for All-Star centre DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi in February.

The rookie guard has garnered national attention for his overall improvement since being traded to the Kings.

 Since joining his new franchise, Hield’s field goal percentage increased from 39 per cent to 47 per cent and his three-point percentage increased from 37 percent to 42 percent. He has also seen an increase in playing more time at nearly 10 more minutes per game.

According to bballbreakdown.com, a further look at the analytics suggest increased opportunities have led to his productivity: “During his time with the Pelicans, Hield’s 28.9 touches per game ranked ninth amongst rookies (below such illustrious names as Isaiah Whitehead and Wade Baldwin IV). In Sacramento he’s nearly doubled that number to 41.9 touches per game.” 

Prior to the trade, Hield had a scoring high of 21 points in 57 games with the Pelicans this season. He has since equaled or surpassed that mark four times since being traded to the Kings.

With the Pelicans, he originally scored 21 points in a 102-95 January win over the Indiana Pacers.

As a member of the Kings, Hield finished with 21 points in the Kings’ 116-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on March 22.

Two days later he set a then career high in scoring with 22 points in a 114-100 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

He then tied that career high April 1with 22 points in his team’s 123-117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kings.com writer Benedict Tagle charted Hield’s shooting progress since joining the Kings through advanced analytics.

“Taking a look at advanced statistics, his numbers become even more impressive. His effective field goal percentage is 59.7 percent and his true shooting percentage is an astronomical 62.3 percent. His baskets are coming at approximately an equal ratio of assisted and unassisted attempts. Exactly 49.5 percent of his made field goals are assisted, while 50.5 percent come unassisted. The uncertainty of how to defend the rookie guard is leading to open baskets.”