Why Hield thinks the “fun” Warriors fit has been successful so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors’ partnership with shooter Buddy Hield worked great during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Judging by Golden State’s record and roster, the nine-year veteran couldn’t be a better fit
“Fit and situation,” Hield said of his Warriors breakthrough Tuesday “The Jim Rome Show.” “To also get the recognition, but also to play for a team that wants to emphasize the 3-ball, completes my movement.”
Hield surprisingly leads Golden State with 21.9 points per game. Not surprisingly, however, is his his elite 3-point shooting.
Hield is shooting 50.0 percent from range on 9.4 attempts per game; his highest percentage (43.1) came during the Season 2017-18 for the Sacramento Kings.
As the Warriors, 6-1, enter Wednesday’s big-time game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, Hield’s production is a major reason why Golden State is optimistic and competitive.
“Life was fun,” Hield said. “Everyone was open arms. From Steve [Kerr] to Steph [Curry] to Draymond [Green] to the entire organization, I couldn’t be happier to be here.”
Hield’s off-ball movement and 3-point prowess is exactly what Golden State needed after losing longtime shooter Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks this past offseason.
Kerr, in particular, is grateful for Hield’s presence on the perimeter.
Hield has long been doing his homework for his current role — dating back to his college days.
“I’ve watched these guys my whole career,” Hield, an Oklahoma alum, said of the Warriors. “In college, I would go to [Warriors] games when they came in town to Oklahoma and watched them play. I studied them. I’ve always wanted to play in the kind of system they apply to the game.”
Hield was a Sooner between the 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons. Back then, battles between the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder were frequent and local at Paycom Center, and Curry and Thompson’s shooting evolved the game.
In fact, Hield attributed a major moment in his life to Curry’s transcendence.
“I always tell everybody, ‘If it wasn’t for Steph Curry, I probably wouldn’t have been drafted with the sixth pick for my shooting game,'” Hield said. “I’m happy to be here, and I’m happy to keep building.”
The New Orleans Pelicans selected Hield No. 6 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. His NBA journey has been long and turbulent, but the Warriors fit Hield like a glove.
