Everyone is reportedly in a frenzy when Buddy Hield yells at Stephen Curry in the locker room while engaging in lighthearted banter or when he makes jokes during practice and on the team jet.
Curry has been impressed by Hield’s unwavering training schedule since he joined the Golden State Warriors last summer.
“He probably puts more hours in the gym than I think I’ve ever seen anybody,” Curry stated.
The two-time NBA MVP is loving his new Warriors backcourt mate’s passion for his work, his exuberant demeanor, and his commitment to the club.
The 32-year-old Hield is proud to represent his island nation on the major NBA stage, whether it is in Freeport, Bahamas, or the Bay Area.
Hield remarked, “It’s special,” “It’s not a coincidence. Without a doubt, I’ve worked hard. I feel incredibly fortunate and pleased to hold this role.
In addition to shooting almost 43% from the field and averaging 12.6 points per game with the Warriors, Hield is also making an impression off the court.
Whenever Hield shows up wherever with the Warriors, he greets everyone with his trademark smile and instantly makes his new teammates feel better. Coach Steve Kerr has long maintained that the Warriors’ team is defined by this combination of happiness and focus.
“There is nothing even-keel about him, he is all extreme happy, joy, talking all the time, and you love that energy because he loves the game,” Curry stated. “He does make the plane and the locker room happier. He has a terrific sense of humor and has been around the block, so you’re sure to hear him wherever we are. He makes everyone feel better. The funniest thing is that you can’t stop him from talking. Thus, you value whatever he contributes.
His teammates call him Buddy Love, Buddy Fresh and Buddy Buckets the nickname Buddy has been with the shooting guard since just after his birth, as Hield’s formal first name is Chavano.
Hield became the 17th player in NBA history to reach 2,000 3-pointers, and he sparks the offense with the way he runs the floor.
“I’ve just got to keep moving and hopefully I’m able to catch some of the greats,” Hield stated. “I probably won’t be able to catch Steph, but I hope to catch some of the greats and hopefully I can crack top-10, maybe top-five.”
Kerr would be very happy with that.
“We’re at our best when we’re playing fast and with a lot of pace, and that’s what Buddy does really well,” Kerr stated. “He runs the floor in transition probably better than anybody on our team.”
The Warriors (16-16) have been struggling lately, losing three of their last 10.
Hield, however, has had an incredible career, from shooting on a homemade hoop he and his brother Chevez built out of a milk crate as a child to leading Oklahoma to a Final Four in college and now playing as a journeyman in his ninth NBA season with a fifth different team. You won’t hear him complain, though.
“Where I came from in the Bahamas, I couldn’t write a better script than this, just being down there, shooting on an outside court, building my own court right from a crate. To have 2,000 3s, I know the young kids back home and the people that helped me get to this point will really appreciate that.
“So I’m just blessed to be in this situation.”
Hield landed with Golden State following Klay Thompson’s departure to Dallas, and it’s something Bahamas teammate Thompson called “very special.”
“I’m just happy they replaced me with another Bahamian,” stated the man.
And Thompson certainly realizes what Hield means to the Bahamas and helping build basketball back home.
“Are you kidding me? He’s a legend, especially around Freeport. Buddy gives young men and women hope all over the nation,” Thompson said. “Especially his commitment to the national team, it’s amazing. It’s really cool.”
Hield’s shooting has been inconsistent, but the Warriors are seeing everything he brings on and off the court. And that doesn’t waver whether he’s hitting shots or missing them, or starting or coming off the bench.
“He lifts this team every day when he comes in smiling,” guard Gary Payton II said. “I know that smile travels all the way back to the Bahamas and those kids have the same smile when he’s on the court. … How he plays and what he does, it’s kind of like a Steph effect over there in the islands. They’re shouting Buddy. We know what he means to this team and what he means to the Bahamas.”
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.