The Case for Buddy
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:07 am
I like Dunn, Murray and Hield at #5. I've gone back and forth as I've read more and looked repeatedly at their highlight videos and college stats. I'd be happy with any of those three, but my final verdict has Hield as my favorite.
In a nutshell, it boils down to this. He brings an elite skill to the table day one -- 3-point shooting -- and that skill is a critical one in today's NBA as well as a skill particularly missing from the Wolves roster. Buddy is an elite perimeter shooter with terrific length for his position and good athleticism. Of the three, he's proven to be the best shooter and he has the biggest wing span. He appears to be a better athlete than Murray. All three are known to have good character, but Buddy seems to have the most exceptional work ethic. I like that he kept improving every year. I also like that, unlike Dunn, he doesn't have any injury history.
Interestingly, Buddy's stats last year compare favorably to Klay's stats in his last year of college ball. In nearly the same number of minutes, Buddy had more points per game (25 v. 21.6), slightly more rebounds (5.7 v. 5.2), a substantially better FG% (50.1 v. 43.6) and a significantly better 3-point percentage (45.7% v. 39.8%). Buddy had more 3-point attempts (8.7 v. 7.2) and the same number of free throw attempts. Buddy also had slightly fewer turnovers (3.1 v. 3.4). Klay's only significant statistical edge was assists (3.7 v. 2.0). Buddy has shown NBA range in college and his release is every bit as quick as Klay's.
There appear to be two raps on Buddy - his age and defense. I think the age thing is way overblown. Age matters more in the absence of production. But Buddy has produced and done so at an elite level as a shooter. And I think his rebounding has been glossed over. 5.4 rebounds from a college SG is impressive and bodes well for production beyond scoring at the NBA level. Defensively, I think Buddy's being way undervalued. He has a terrific wing span and he's athletic enough to grab 5.7 rebounds a game. He's a hard worker and very coachable. So I think he'll end up becoming a good defender in the NBA, especially under a coach like Thibs.
Klay Thompson is the 2nd or 3rd best player on the best or second best team in the League. Looking at what Buddy has produced in college, comparing his stats to Klay's college stats and considering Buddy's length, work ethic, high character and spotless health record, I think he emerges as the best of the three and the guy the Wolves should take at #5.
In a nutshell, it boils down to this. He brings an elite skill to the table day one -- 3-point shooting -- and that skill is a critical one in today's NBA as well as a skill particularly missing from the Wolves roster. Buddy is an elite perimeter shooter with terrific length for his position and good athleticism. Of the three, he's proven to be the best shooter and he has the biggest wing span. He appears to be a better athlete than Murray. All three are known to have good character, but Buddy seems to have the most exceptional work ethic. I like that he kept improving every year. I also like that, unlike Dunn, he doesn't have any injury history.
Interestingly, Buddy's stats last year compare favorably to Klay's stats in his last year of college ball. In nearly the same number of minutes, Buddy had more points per game (25 v. 21.6), slightly more rebounds (5.7 v. 5.2), a substantially better FG% (50.1 v. 43.6) and a significantly better 3-point percentage (45.7% v. 39.8%). Buddy had more 3-point attempts (8.7 v. 7.2) and the same number of free throw attempts. Buddy also had slightly fewer turnovers (3.1 v. 3.4). Klay's only significant statistical edge was assists (3.7 v. 2.0). Buddy has shown NBA range in college and his release is every bit as quick as Klay's.
There appear to be two raps on Buddy - his age and defense. I think the age thing is way overblown. Age matters more in the absence of production. But Buddy has produced and done so at an elite level as a shooter. And I think his rebounding has been glossed over. 5.4 rebounds from a college SG is impressive and bodes well for production beyond scoring at the NBA level. Defensively, I think Buddy's being way undervalued. He has a terrific wing span and he's athletic enough to grab 5.7 rebounds a game. He's a hard worker and very coachable. So I think he'll end up becoming a good defender in the NBA, especially under a coach like Thibs.
Klay Thompson is the 2nd or 3rd best player on the best or second best team in the League. Looking at what Buddy has produced in college, comparing his stats to Klay's college stats and considering Buddy's length, work ethic, high character and spotless health record, I think he emerges as the best of the three and the guy the Wolves should take at #5.