Before the start of the preseason, we wondered who would be the starting fullback for the Warriors replacing Klay Thompson. Two weeks later, we begin to understand that Buddy Hield will not be, Steve Kerr preferring to use him as a sixth man.
“ He has the profile, doesn't he? » replied the coach of Golden Statecoming off a victory against Detroit, the fourth in four preseason games. “ He comes off the bench and you can feel his impact immediately. He's not afraid and we need that. We need a scorer who comes off the bench and he's been great in his first four games. I'm really happy with him and this role suits him perfectly. »
With 12.3 points and 59% from 3-point range in 16.8 minutes, Buddy Hield is indeed very effective as a substitute, even if these are only meetings without stakes.
“ It doesn't matter if I'm a starter or a substitute » he assured in any case. “ No matter what the team needs me to do, I just want to be effective in my role and play at the highest level possible. »
Say Hello to Splash Buddies
Accustomed to being in the starting five since his debut in the NBA, Buddy Hield is gradually moving towards a role off the bench because, at almost 32 years old, it is the one that seems cut out for him.
“ You must not rush, you must be in the rhythm of the attack » detailed the Bahamian, who is coming out of a failed experience with the Sixers. “ If we force things, the entire team becomes disrupted. You have to let things come to you while remaining aggressive and I think I can do it. »
“ For obvious reasons » according to Steve Kerr, it is expected that Buddy Hield « either on the ground when Stephen [Curry] is not » in the regular season. A pair of exceptional shooters, who some already nickname the “Splash Buddies”, and who may well ignite opposing defenses this season…
| Buddy Hield | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 * | All Teams | 82 | 23 | 42.6 | 39.1 | 84.2 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 10.6 |
| 2016-17 * | NOP | 57 | 20 | 39.3 | 36.9 | 87.9 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 8.6 |
| 2016-17 * | BAG | 25 | 29 | 48.0 | 42.8 | 81.4 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 15.1 |
| 2017-18 | BAG | 80 | 25 | 44.6 | 43.1 | 87.7 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2018-19 | BAG | 82 | 32 | 45.8 | 42.7 | 88.6 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 20.7 |
| 2019-20 | BAG | 72 | 31 | 42.9 | 39.4 | 84.6 | 0.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 19.2 |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 71 | 34 | 40.6 | 39.1 | 84.6 | 0.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 16.6 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 81 | 31 | 40.6 | 36.6 | 87.4 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 15.6 |
| 2021-22 * | BAG | 55 | 29 | 38.2 | 36.8 | 87.0 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 * | IND | 26 | 36 | 44.7 | 36.2 | 88.6 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 18.2 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 80 | 31 | 45.8 | 42.5 | 82.2 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 16.8 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 84 | 26 | 43.6 | 38.6 | 88.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 12.1 |
| 2023-24 * | IND | 52 | 26 | 44.3 | 38.4 | 84.8 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 12.0 |
| 2023-24 * | PHL | 32 | 26 | 42.6 | 38.9 | 92.3 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| Total | 632 | 29 | 43.4 | 40.0 | 86.0 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 15.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
