Buddy vs. Ben — Who’s Going First?

(Photo/rushthecourt.net)

Buddy Hield will be the first pick in the NBA Draft. Why? I do not know any other player who can shoot as accurately as him, who is not already in the NBA. Adding a player with this much consistency will not only increase a future teams shooting percentage, but add to the depth of their bench. Can a player of this stature be compared to LSU’s star Ben Simmons? Absolutely. There are key differences between the two players but both guys would be a huge asset to any NBA team.

“Buddy Buckets” as he is normally called, is a monster behind the three point line. I watched him during a pregame make 30 threes in a row. In. A. Row. The only other person I see making 30 three pointers in a row is Steph Curry and I could not say that about him in college. Not only is Hield the best shooter in the Big 12, but arguably in the country. I’d like to see a three point competition between Hield and a few of the guys on BYU (also a great shooting team behind the arc).

In their last game against LSU, Hield was essential to their second half comeback win over the Tigers. He can deliver in situations where a clutch hand is needed. As a senior, Hield is a great leader. His teammates want to feed him the ball because they know he can make contested shots, let alone if the defense falls asleep and leaves him open.

Simmons is the most versatile 6’10” guy I’ve watched this year. Someone of that stature who can put the ball on the floor and take it to the rim, shoot consistently from midrange and behind the arc and bring the ball up the floor as a point guard is insane. The guy averages a double double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. How great is it for one of your big men to be able to play almost three positions at a time?

During the Oklahoma match up, Simmons made a reverse slam dunk which I see no college player doing anywhere. I’m used to the typical alley oop or fast break dunk down the middle of  the lane, but putting the ball on the floor and driving past the defense for the reverse? That kid has NBA skills.

Why do I think Buddy Buckets will go number one over a versatile Hield? There are much tougher teams in the Big 12 conference. As a senior, he had has ample time to improve on his jumper and become a leader. He will only become a better shooter as time goes on. I know Simmons will get the Kentucky one and done treatment and be a top three pick, but he has only spent one year with an unranked team who stands second in their conference at 13-8. The SEC is not as competitive as the Big 12.