Buddy Hield accepts the Skills Challenge despite 3-point specialty
Buddy Hield has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA this season. So, how did he end up in the Skills Challenge on Saturday?
Even Hield, shooting 42.5 percent from 3-point range this season, was perplexed by the choice.
“I know, it’s funny, right,” Hield said after Friday’s Rising Stars practice session. “The NBA probably sees some skills."
To Hield’s detriment, however, is the roster of 3-point shooters the NBA had to choose from, ranging from former champions (Klay Thompson, Eric Gordon) to multiple-time All-Stars (Paul George, Kyle Lowry) to burgeoning young starting guards (Bradley Beal, Devin Booker).
There’s not a set format for how the NBA determines who participates in what events, but it’s typically a combination of the league putting out feelers to teams and their athletes, and team communication departments coordinating with agents to nudge the league about getting players into events.
The Skills Challenge is a noticeably less star-studded roster than the Three-Point Contest, but even potential 3-point marksmen like the Clippers’ Lou Williams and Denver’s Jamal Murray were sandwiched into the Skills Challenge like Hield.
Sometimes, there’s just not enough room for all the players. The Skills Challenge will lead off the All-Star Saturday Night events. Defending champion Kristaps Porzingis will not participate due to a torn ACL in his left knee.
The three-round obstacle course times the participants through a crossover dribble, chest pass, speed dribble, layup/dunk and a 3-point shot while being timed.
Hield knows where he’ll succeed. The 3-point shot is the final station.
If he’s not in the ThreePoint Contest itself, at least he’ll get a few cracks at it during the Skills Challenge.
“I’m a shooter. I’m a scorer,” Hield said. “There’s a shooting thing inside there, so hopefully, I knock it out on the first shot, but it’s something to embrace. Have fun with it and get better. And hopefully, you see something better in the future.”
Schedule busy for Westbrook
When your face is stretched out across buildings directly across from the Staples Center, you’re clearly a big deal.
This was the case for Russell Westbrook before All-Star weekend. Jordan spent big bucks to have Westbrook, the face of the brand, represented in massive murals on the downtown Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Microsoft Theater which are all a part of L.A. Live across from Staples Center.
With media availability moved to Saturday, it’ll be a tight day for Westbrook, who has practice with Team LeBron, media availability, and promotional events for Jordan, his Honor The Gift clothing line, and Mountain Dew all in succession.
Simmons motivated by Westbrook
The Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers may have had two heated battles against each other this season, but they haven’t come without respect from at least one star in the making.
At Rising Stars media availability Friday, Sixers rookie Ben Simmons said he draws inspiration from some of the game’s greats, including Westbrook. Simmons is third in the NBA with six triple-doubles, behind Westbrook's leaguehigh 17 and LeBron James's 10.
Said Simmons: “Watching the guys at the top, LeBron, Westbrook, Giannis, KD, Steph, guys like that, they motivate me.”