Born within the Bahamas, there’s little doubt that dwelling will at all times be the Caribbean for Buddy Hield. Nonetheless, the capturing guard hasn’t been in a position to shake the smile on his face ever since he landed in California, as he considers San Francisco to be the vacation spot he at all times wished to be in, now that he’s part of the Warriors.
Ever since he was drafted in 2016, the 31-year-old has lived in a number of locations all through the US. He first began out for a brief stint in New Orleans, then five-long years in Sacramento, two extra in Indiana, solely three months in Philly, and now in Golden State, the place he’s felt most at dwelling throughout his 9 years within the league.
An enormous purpose for that is Chris DeMarco, who isn’t simply the assistant coach for the Warriors, however can be the top tactician of the Bahamas males’s nationwide basketball staff. Although he represents authority within the group, Buddy considers him a “massive brother,” who “made my determination simple coming right here,” he mentioned just lately.
The Bahamas will at all times be dwelling to Buddy Hield, a spot he holds all over the place with him in his coronary heart
Enjoying for the Warriors, although, Buddy Hield lastly feels at dwelling once more https://t.co/GPyoA0YA2y
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) December 10, 2024
One other massive purpose is Steve Kerr. Earlier than him, Hield skilled for a few of the most highly-respected tacticians within the sport like Alvin Gentry, Dave Joerger, Luke Walton, Rick Carlisle and Nick Nurse. However, the veteran guard says none of them examine to his present coach.
“That’s what separates him,” Buddy assured. “He understands how one can relay that message in entrance of the staff. It’s arduous, however we’re going to determine it out collectively and he needs to see everybody achieve success on and off the basketball court docket, and that’s what makes him a terrific coach.”
However now we should tackle a very powerful purpose of all, which is how Golden State play ball. The Bahamian star likes to shoot subsequent to the gamers who revolutionized trendy basketball. “I’ve watched the Warriors play a lot, they’ve at all times been on TV,” Hield mentioned.
“Through the years I fell in love with watching Steph and Draymond and Klay [Thompson] and simply the best way they play basketball,” he mentioned. “It’s random and so they simply determine it out. Steph, I at all times inform all people this – I say, ‘If Steph didn’t shoot the ball so nicely, I in all probability wouldn’t have been in a position to be drafted that prime.’
Hield credit teammate Curry for being drafted so excessive in 2016, as he’s additionally been a part of the three-point revolution within the NBA
Based on the 31-year-old, he owes a lot of his profession up to now to Stephen Curry. If it wasn’t for the best way the Warriors icon performs the sport and revolutionized the game, he would’ve not been drafted so excessive up again in 2016 by the Pelicans.
“He’s the rationale I acquired drafted so excessive, as a result of the NBA has fallen in love with the 3-ball. It was excellent timing and I used to be in a position to get drafted sixth,” Buddy assured in a current interview. These days, even Hield is taken into account one of many many faces of this three-point reign.
Hield additionally praised the extreme presence of Kerr, Curry and Draymond Inexperienced within the locker room, who’ve received 4 NBA titles collectively. “This can be a blessing to be on this group,” he shared concerning the staff’s dynamic. “They play so free. And Steve is simply so humble and even-keeled.”
“He by no means will get too excessive, he by no means will get too low, he simply is aware of all the fitting issues to say and he understands that player-coach idea and may relay his message on to gamers in a superb method,” Buddy mentioned. “I’ve been round a bunch of coaches and I’ve by no means seen a coach ship a message the best way Steve delivers his message, and it’s at all times constructive.”