The De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield backcourt is one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Not to mention it’s so much fun to watch. Fox is so explosive and a flashy passer. Watching him play is a thing of beauty. His speed and agility make you wonder if he actually chose his last name for how fitting it actually is. Buddy Hield is silently emerging as one of the best shooting guards in the league. If you don’t think so, you’ve simply not been watching enough Kings basketball. He’s one of the best 3 point shooters in the league and has the ability to create his own shot. Their backcourt is still relatively young given Fox’s age. Buddy is only 27 so, he still has time before he starts to decline.
De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield Stats
De’Aaron Fox averages 17.8 PPG on 46.2% shooting, 6.8 APG, and 3.8 RPG in about 30 minutes per game. Although his numbers are relatively the same as last year, I feel as if he is playing better this year. He’s only played in half of the Kings’ games so far due to injury and is still averaging what he did last year. Despite all the rust and the easing back into action. I think Fox’s numbers will improve a little bit after the NBA trade deadline and he’s back into rhythm.
Buddy Hield is averaging 20.5 PPG on 41.4% shooting, 3.1 APG, and 5.2 RPG in 34 minutes of action per game. Hield’s numbers are also about the same as last year but he was also playing without De’Aaron Fox for half of those games. I feel as if this duo will work well off each other once De’Aaron Fox gets fully into a rhythm. If you watched this Kings team last year, you know how well they can play. I think the Kings will be at their peak after the NBA trade deadline and will make a final push for the playoffs.
I know what you’re thinking “If they’re as good as you say, why are they currently 13th in the Western Conference?” There are a couple of reasons for that. 1. De’Aaron Fox has been injured for the better part of the beginning of the year, he’s only now getting into a rhythm. That could be why his stats don’t exactly wow you. 2. Marvin Bagley was supposed to be a big part of this King’s team success, but he hasn’t gotten healthy. He’s only played 9 games this season. However, Richaun Holmes has stepped up and will be a valuable bench guy for when Bagley comes back. 3. Harrison Barnes is just a waste of money. The Kings could add some depth or just an overall better player for the money that Barnes just eats up. I hate that for the Kings but it’s their own fault.
All in all. Despite those reasons, they’re still only 2 games out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference. The West is incredibly top-heavy and the 8th seed is up for grabs by SEVEN teams in the West. If the Blazers can ever figure out how to play defense, they should be the favorites, but if Sacramento gets healthy, do NOT count out the Kings. This squad can make it to the playoffs. If they do, you can thank their backcourt for that. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield are studs, and they play like it too.
