LaPhonso Ellis joined Gil Whiteley Friday on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1340 | FM 104.7 to discuss the NBA Finals and the upcoming draft. During draft talk, Ellis proceeded to compare potential Nugget Buddy Hield to former Golden State Warrior Mitch Richmond.

“He reminds me of Mitch Richmond by the way he catches it, he kind of jabs you, depending on how you respond to the jab, if you want to come near him, he goes by you,” Ellis told Whitely. “He’s got all the pullup J’s, he can get to the rim and finish with either hand around the rim, and as you know, he’s got extremely deep range and a quick release.”

Hield shot at least 200 threes in each of his last three seasons in Norman and shot 45.7 percent from three in his senior season at Oklahoma, while using quick hands to corral 42 steals and 18 blocks in 37 games. He’s an aggressive scorer, using both his range and his driving to the rim to get points. He can get down the floor quickly and pull up from deep. He also averaged 83.6 percent from the free throw line for his career.

Richmond was also an audacious three-point shooter, with 3,417 career three-point attempts, 41st all time. He shot well from the free-throw line, too, and was a physical two guard, just like Hield. Richmond rebounded well, played steady defense, and was a prolific passer. He was an 85 percent free-throw shooter and 36.7 percent three-point shooter for his career.

Both players have the body to stand up to offenses, an outstanding three-point range and both drove to the rim.

“So with that body and his physicality, his range, his mid-range game and his ability to get to the rim, he reminds me a lot of Mitch Richmond.”

For more on Ellis’ comparison of Hield to Richmond, click the podcast below…

https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/6-17-16-laphonso-ellis-joins-gil-to-say-momentum-has-shifted-to-the-cavs-gives-nba-draft-update

Catch Gil Whiteley Monday-Friday from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.