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Anthony Davis-Buddy Hield pairing could become exciting inside-outside combination for Pelicans

“Buddy Hield is tailor-made for Alvin Gentry’s offense. He’s going to be raining threes instantly. I love the pick,” CBS Sports Network host Adam Schein enthusiastically declared on his daily TV show Friday. “Teaming him with a freak like Anthony Davis? This is awesome. If you love basketball, if you love sports, you’ve got to love the Pelicans... This is going to be an incredible 1-2 punch for a long time in the NBA.”

Among the countless hours of post-draft analysis since Thursday’s 2016 NBA Draft, Schein may have been the most bombastic and adamant in his assessment of the brand-new “Buddy and Brow” duo, but he’s far from the only one who sees the potential for big things from the pair.

The 22-year-old Hield said that going into the draft, he wanted to be picked by New Orleans – as did his agent and most importantly, his mother – for a variety of reasons, but the presence of three-time All-Star Davis was at the top of the list.

“He’s a special talent,” Hield said of the 23-year-old Davis. “He’s a guy who can score the ball in a variety of ways. I just can’t wait to talk to him and learn from him. He’s going to be the guy to help him and space the floor for him and compete in the Western Conference.”

Hield met Davis for the first time Friday after an introductory press conference for Hield and second-round pick Cheick Diallo, with the players touring the Pelicans’ offices and practice facility in Metairie. Asked what Davis’ impressions were of the Hield addition, Gentry said, “I think he’s extremely excited. When you’re a big guy and you can stick a shooter out on the floor that creates spacing for you, I think he’d be extremely happy with it.”

Hield’s impressive 2015-16 senior season at Oklahoma was highlighted by him finishing second in NCAA Division I in scoring, averaging 25.0 points per game (he was tops among all players from major conferences). The native of the Bahamas also led the nation in three-pointers made in the regular season, with 127 in 32 games, an average of 4.0 per contest (via ESPN.com). He wasn’t just a high-volume gunner, either, knocking down a blistering 45.7 percent of his attempts.

The four-year college player seems to be an ideal fit to play for Gentry, whose Pelicans finished tied for 13th in three-point makes per game last season (8.6) despite rampant injuries, a notable jump from placing 19th (7.1) in 2014-15 and 29th (5.9) in 2013-14. Based on the considerable attention Davis draws as the focal point of the New Orleans offense, Hield could find plenty of breathing room to fire spot-up shots, his forte.

“The (Pelicans) get Hield, a star at Oklahoma, to pair with Anthony Davis,” CBSSports.com wrote in its post-draft report card. “He’ll help out immediately with his ability to space the floor and create jump shots and scoring opportunities. It’s not out of the question he wins Rookie of the Year in 2017.”

In terms of both on and off the court, Hield said he’s looking forward to gleaning advice from Davis, helping him make the adjustment to the NBA.

“I’m willing to learn and pick his brain a little bit,” Hield said of his fellow former Naismith Player of the Year. “He’s been in the league four years now, so he’s well-experienced. He’s a top-five player in the league, maybe soon-to-be MVP. I’m ready to learn from guys and follow his lead.

“Playing with a superstar like Anthony, and a three-point threat like me, it’s kind of hard to pick your poison. If he’s operating in the post, guys can’t double him. His ability to pick-and-pop, catch-and-shoot, that spreads the floor for everybody.”