Alvin Gentry is in win-now mode. The Pelicans as an organization might not be, but Gentry was playing for his job for a little while there. New Orleans has won a few games since getting off to that horrible start, but I’m sure Gentry doesn’t want to risk any more losing streaks.
Hence, the banishing of Buddy Hield, whimpering and whining, to the doghouse. In case you haven’t noticed, Jrue Holiday is back, and that means Jrue Holiday gets lots of minutes, because Jrue Holiday contributes to winning basketball in a way that precious few others on that team do. Minutes for guards are lower than ever, and with Buddy playing the way he has (badly), the choice was easy. A more job-secure coach might throw up his hands, yell “SCREW IT” into the PA announcer’s microphone, and play Buddy 48 minutes a game to give him some seasoning. That would be more fun for watchers of highlights, but less fun for everyone else, especially Pelicans fans.
Unrelatedly, I was dismayed to hear the robust cheer OKC fans gave Buddy after he made his first shot. I get that he was a hero for them while he was in college, but that’s ancient history now. Buddy is no longer an ally to Oklahoma, he is an ENEMY COMBATANT, and should be treated as such.