Sure, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram both are younger and probably have more potential. But it’s hard not to like Buddy Hield’s NBA prospects after the show he put on in Saturday’s NCAA Tournament matchup.
The Oklahoma shooting guard was on absolute fire against No. 1 seed Oregon, pouring in a game-high 37 points and drilling eight 3-pointers to help the No. 2 Sooners rout the Ducks 80-68 in their Elite Eight showdown.
Hield was hot from the opening tip, as evidenced by this casual stepback three with a hand right in his face:
https://vine.co/v/iDaMVItHW3g
The 22-year-old senior looked like a young Stephen Curry, expanding his range to well beyond the arc and calling his shots before they went in:
https://vine.co/v/iDad60OdKXK
https://vine.co/v/iDadPzZFnbU
Hield should be a top-10 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and with the Boston Celtics owning the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round selection, his outburst Saturday had Boston fans dreaming of the Sooners star in Celtic green.
I don't care if the Celtics have 15 guards, I'd still be fired up if they took Buddy at 4 or 5.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 26, 2016
Buddy Hield .. Well done sir.
You'd look pretty good in a Celtics uniform next year. pic.twitter.com/HPfBRfmmjS
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) March 26, 2016
Dear Celtics,
Please draft Buddy Hield
Sincerely,
Every Celtics fan— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) March 27, 2016
How would Buddy Hield look in a Celtics uniform? @KevinOConnorNBA likes the fit. Check out his draft guide too: https://t.co/2kuxAEMzBz
— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) March 26, 2016
As Boston superfan Bill Simmons points out, the Celtics are pretty well-equipped at the guard position, and Hield is a good three years older than many top draft prospects who ultimately could have a higher ceiling.
But Boston does lack another bona fide scorer outside point guard Isaiah Thomas, and the thought of him getting buckets at TD Garden is a pretty tempting one, especially after the display he put on Saturday.
Thumbnail photo via Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports Images
