The dust from the NBA Draft is finally beginning to settle, and the Pelicans emerged with a crucial piece in Buddy Hield. He’s quite possibly the best shooter in the draft, and with Eric Gordon an unrestricted free agent, he fills a desperate need at shooting guard. Though he’s one of the oldest players to come out, being drafted by a team that wants to make the playoffs next season works perfectly, as he should be further along in his development than, say, Jamal Murray. Hield knows it, and he’s confident he can push the Pelicans back to the postseason.
Asked by NBA.com if the Pelicans were going to reach the playoffs now that he’s on the squad, Hield’s response was simple: “Yes, sir. No doubt.”
Asked if he was gunning for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, Hield’s response was the same. “Yes, sir. No doubt.”
It’s the kind of brash confidence that was fairly absent in New Orleans last year, though it’s hard to blame Anthony Davis and company after they were again ravaged by injuries, the cost of doing business with notoriously fragile players like Jrue Holiday and Gordon on the perimeter. Even if the latter returns in free agency, the presence of Hield will do wonders for the New Orleans’ backcourt. And with Davis up front, the Pelicans definitely deserve to have some postseason ambitions.
(Via NBA.com)
