The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BUDDY Hield’s productive month of December was recognised by the NBA and his New Orleans Pelicans teammates and coaching staff have taken notice of the changes in his game.

Hield was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month (December) after he led the conference’s rookies in scoring (10.6 points), three-point field goal percentage (48 per cent) and three-pointers made (33).

Hield scored 20 points for the second time this season, in Monday’s 90-82 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Following the game, Pelicans perennial All-Star forward Anthony Davis noted Hield’s improvement over the last month.

“He’s playing well. He’s hitting some big threes and attacking the basket, he’s starting to find his groove and that’s what we need,” Davis said. “He’s got a high basketball IQ and we just try to help him out. Knowing that as a shooter teams are going to lock in on him, he has to do other things back cut, shot fake, one dribble two dribble pullups or attack the basket. It’s going to open his game up even more.”

Hield has scored in double figures nine times in 16 games, including 12 or more points in each of the final three games of December, which resulted in three straight Pelicans wins.

“He’s starting to understand what teams are doing, he’s starting to do a good job of executing, making counter moves noticing what teams are doing and making them pay.”

On the season, Hield is averaging 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists through his first 36 games, which includes 16 starts.

After a slow start, his shooting percentages have increased to 36 percent from three point range and 92 percent from the free throw line.

“I’m just trying to mix up my game trying to be consistent and trying to be an all around player,” Hield said.

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry noted Hield’s shot selection and confidence as the catalysts behind his production.

“I think he’s taking the shots, he’s not going to make them night in and night out but he’s getting much better at shot selection and knowing what’s a good shot,” he said, “He continues to work hard defensively and he’s getting better in that department as well.”

The Pelicans are 14-22 and ranked No.11 in the conference, two games out of the final playoff spot.

They recent bolstered the frontcourt depth by signing highly sought after free agent forward Donatas Montiejunas for the rest of the season.

 The Pelicans will return to the friendly confines of the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana when they host the Atlanta Hawks tonight at 8pm.