The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BUDDY Hield usually grabs the headlines for his scoring ability, but the New Orleans Pelicans rookie guard was the subject of criticism from analysts and on social media for inadvertent contact, which resulted in his first NBA ejection.

With 2:55 left in first half of the Pelicans’ 105-99 loss to the Sacramento Kings Sunday night, Hield was called for a flagrant-two foul after making inadvertent contact with the Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins.

Hield spoke about the incident following the game calling it unintentional, but an opportunity to gain valuable learning experience.

“Everybody knows me, whoever spent time with me, even if it’s a quick minute, knows the kind of player I am. I’m sure if you ask DeMarcus he’ll tell you it wasn’t intentional. I respect him as a player. If he thought it was intentional he would have come at me. When guys get hit down there they know to go at you,” he said.

“It’s like running around a tight curve and you try to grab a hold of something to swing momentum to push off. DeMarcus got me on a flop before and the ref called a foul and it seems like he got me again. It was a rookie mistake I just have to be more aggressive, don’t play defence with my hands, move my feet and fight over screens. It’s something I can learn from. Everyone is going to have their own opinion when they see the video, but I don’t care because I know what kind of player I am. I know my intentions on the court, I never want anyone to get the wrong intention from me.”

At the time of the play, the Pelicans led 50-39 but the Kings closed the quarter on a 17-3 run to take a 56-53 lead into the half.

Hield finished with five points and two assists in just 14 minutes of play before the ejection.

“Everybody was shocked,” Hield said of him being ejected. “Because everybody knows me, knows my personality and my character. They know I’m not that type of person to go at somebody. It was just one of those calls, when you view it in slow motion, you get a different reaction to it. I understand where the refs are coming from. I saw it. It looked bad in slow motion. But I know my intention was not what it looked like.”

Following the game the target of ridicule on social with teammate Anthony Davis joining in, sneaking a picture of Hield asleep on the team’s flight to Phoenix with a caption referencing the incident in Sacramento.

 “It was just one of those plays where the hand ended up in the wrong place,” Hield said. “There was nothing intentional. After that, DeMarcus sold it. The refs reviewed it, and when you (watch) in slow motion, it looks worse than what it is. But if it was intentional, knowing DeMarcus’ personality, he would’ve come at me and made a big fuss about it. So I know it was not intentional. When the cameras are in slow motion you get a different look at it. I’ve never been in this position. I’ve never had a technical in a game. I’ve never been in the situation before where I was ejected. The only technical I’ve ever had in the NBA was defensive 3-seconds. It doesn’t feel good for me, It’s a bad feeling I was mad, because the refs took away a half of basketball from me, a half where I could’ve helped my teammates and try to get a win.”

Hield had an opportunity to put the incident behind him as the Pelicans took on the Phoenix Suns in the second game of a back to back.

This Friday, February 17, he will also be a participant in the NBA’s All-Star  Weekend as a member of “World Team” roster of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, a game that traditionally features the best rookie and sophomore players in the league.

It’s exciting,” Hield said of getting to participate in the exhibition game.

“As a rookie, you’ve got to be excited for the opportunity. It was always on my bucket list to be a part of it. I’ve just got to stay humble, keep getting better and hopefully I can be in the All-Star Game like (Anthony Davis) one of these days.”

With his family expected to attend, Hield called it an honour to be able to represent both the Bahamas and his new home, the city of New Orleans.

“It means a lot. It’s New Orleans. My family is going to be here, to see me play and AD,” Hield said.

“It’s a big accomplishment. I’m just happy for it to be in the city and for fans to be able to watch us.”

Hield had previously expressed his desire to also compete in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest. “I would like to do it,” the Oklahoma product said, smiling. “It might not happen, but if any guy decides to opt out, I’m willing to take that spot.”