It was meant to be.
The 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend kicked off in New Orleans on Friday with the main event of the night being the Rising Stars Challenge. As usual, the game pitted a team of American rookies and sophomores against one of international one- and two-year players.
New Orleans was represented in the game by Pelicans’ rookie Buddy Hield and the shooting guard did not disappoint. Hield exploded in the first half scoring basket after basket to give Team World a big lead at halftime. They would go on to win the game.
Hield scored 28 points on 11 of 22 shooting and added six rebounds and three assists. His team outscored Team USA by 20 points when Hield was on the floor.
Hield was highly heralded coming out of Oklahoma. His rookie season has been up-and-down. He is shooting only 39 percent from the field but he is hitting a very solid 37 percent of his three point shots.
On Friday, Buddy Hield demonstrated that shooting ability to the world, putting on a show for his new hometown fans. He did so in a big way and looked poised to win the MVP award before Jamal Murray snatched it away. Nevertheless, it was a strong showing from Buddy Buckets.
