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Buddy Hield Shines in NBA Rising Stars Challenge Victory

By Rick Stone

Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; World Team guard Buddy Hield of the New Orleans Pelicans (25) throws mini basketballs into the crowd after the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; World Team guard Buddy Hield of the New Orleans Pelicans (25) throws mini basketballs into the crowd after the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans’ Rookie Buddy Hield shined in his NBA Rising Stars Challenge Performance, nearly earning himself MVP honors.

Buddy Hield put on quite the show in New Orleans tonight.

Hield was a starter for Team World in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. This was part of the NBA All-Star Weekend’s opening day activities.

Team World would end up winning the game 150-141. Still, the hometown boy did everything he could to make himself the big story of the night.

Buddy put up 28 points on 11-22 shooting, to go with six rebounds, three assists and three steals. His +20 plus-minus rating also led the team.

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While this kind of performance had MVP written all over it, Hield fell short for the honor to fellow rookie Jamal Murray. Jamal put up 36 points on nine made three-pointers, to go with 11 assists and three rebounds.

Still, tonight can be nothing short of a fantastic showing for the Pels’ young rookie. Buddy Hield was one of the top two stars of the night. In a game that included Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, D’Angelo Russell and Jonathon Simmons, Hield was up there in the top difference makers.

It has to be said just how important it was for Buddy to show his stuff in front of his hometown. All night, it looked like he had something to prove to his faithful. He gave it all to give the New Orleans crowd some home cooking. All-in-all, a breathtaking performance.

Buddy was not the only Bayou star to take stage Friday night. The best moment from the Celebrity Game came near the end. Young Saints Super Fan Jarrius “J.J.” Robertson, a 14-year old who is battling a chronic liver disease, has become a star in the city of New Orleans. He got to be a part of the Celebrity game, when he checked in with under two minutes left.

Robertson got the ball and went to work, using his crossover to get open space near the basket. Just like a pro, J.J. buried the jumper for two points that goes far beyond the game at hand.

It was an awesome moment for the city and for the youngster whose become quite the social media star during this All-Star Weekend.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans Grades From Wednesday's Huge Victory Against the Memphis Grizzlies

For the city of New Orleans and for Pelicans fans alike, the All-Star Weekend is off to a great start. Buddy and J.J. stole the show in their respective games and fans got a look at some great basketball. It will only get better tomorrow, as the stars of the league take stage for three-pointers, skills and dunks galore. The All-Star Festivities are like nothing else in the NBA. The city of New Orleans will be filled with “Can Not Miss” action for the rest of the weekend.

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