Buddy Hield’s Electrifying Start with the Warriors: A New Era of Three-Point Dominance

As the 2023-2024 NBA season begins, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in an intriguing position. They’ve added sharpshooter Buddy Hield to their roster, a move that has already paid off in spectacular fashion. While fans are still adjusting to life without Klay Thompson, Hield has stepped up in a way that suggests he may be a perfect fit for this championship-caliber team. In fact, after just two games, Hield has already broken a Warriors record for most three-pointers made in the first two games of a season. It’s a startling accomplishment, especially considering the legendary status of Warriors’ icons like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who are widely regarded as two of the best shooters in NBA history.

Though the claim that Hield might challenge Curry’s title as the greatest shooter of all time is clearly a playful exaggeration, there’s no denying that Hield’s presence has given the Warriors a new weapon on offense. More than that, his style of play has meshed seamlessly with Golden State’s renowned system, and early signs suggest we might be witnessing the best version of Buddy Hield we’ve ever seen.

Buddy Hield’s Impact on the Warriors’ Offense

Hield’s offensive prowess has been well-documented throughout his career, especially his ability to score from beyond the arc. From 2019 to 2023, he averaged 18 points per game while shooting 40% from three on nearly nine attempts per game. His ability to knock down shots from long range made him a valuable asset, and now that he’s with the Warriors, he’s being utilized in a system that rewards his shooting ability like never before.

One of the most noticeable changes for Hield is the amount of space he has on the floor. He’s stated that this is the most open he’s been since his college days at Oklahoma, and the Warriors’ offense is a big reason why. Golden State’s ball movement and spacing create open looks for their shooters, and with defenders often focused on Curry, Hield finds himself with ample opportunities to get clean shots off. Through the first two games of the season, he’s looked unguardable at times, effortlessly coming off screens and launching quick-release threes that leave defenders scrambling.

A key play that highlights Hield’s effectiveness came off a jump ball early in the season. Hield sprinted to the three-point line, caught the ball while facing the opposite direction, and without steadying himself, turned and shot the ball in one fluid motion. It was a testament to his quick release and confidence, two traits that make him such a dangerous shooter. Defenders, like John Collins in this particular instance, are often left in a state of hesitation, unsure of whether to contest the shot or stay with their man. Few players in the league possess the audacity to take such shots, let alone make them, but for Hield, it’s becoming second nature.

The Steph Curry Effect

One of the most exciting aspects of Buddy Hield’s game with the Warriors is his chemistry with Stephen Curry. It’s no surprise that Hield, a player with a similar skill set to Curry, has been able to thrive alongside him. The two have already shown an impressive understanding of each other’s tendencies, and this synergy is helping to make the Warriors’ offense even more potent.

Curry’s gravity on the court is well-documented. Defenders are so focused on stopping him that it opens up opportunities for his teammates, and Hield has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this dynamic. In one sequence, Curry drew multiple defenders towards him, leaving Hield wide open for a shot. This type of scenario is likely to become a common theme this season, as opponents struggle to contain both Curry and Hield, two of the league’s best shooters.

The Warriors’ roster, built around shooters like Curry and Thompson for years, is accustomed to creating space for players like Hield. Their ability to screen and move off the ball has made life easier for Hield, who excels in catch-and-shoot situations. Plays like one where Gary Payton II set a perfect screen for Hield to get open for a three-pointer are examples of how seamlessly Hield has integrated into the Warriors’ system. The team’s collective understanding of spacing and timing has allowed Hield to find success almost immediately.

Hield’s Defense and Transition Play

While Hield’s offensive impact has been the headline, there have been two other aspects of his game that have caught the attention of Warriors fans: his defense and transition play. Historically, Hield has not been known for his defense, but in the early stages of this season, he’s shown significant improvement on that end of the floor.

In one instance, Hield helped pick off a pass from Keon George, leading to an easy bucket in transition. On another play, he showed great discipline by staying vertical on a shot contest against rookie Scoot Henderson. While he’s not expected to become a lockdown defender overnight, his ability to compete and use his size and strength effectively has been a pleasant surprise for the Warriors. This defensive improvement, combined with his elite shooting, could make Hield an even more valuable asset as the season progresses.

Hield has also excelled in transition, using his athleticism and basketball IQ to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His ability to sprint down the court after a missed shot has resulted in several easy baskets, including a few beautiful dimes from Curry. This is where Hield’s hustle and intelligence come into play—he’s not just running the floor for the sake of it, but doing so with purpose, knowing that it can lead to easy points for the Warriors.

Can Hield Be a Starter for the Warriors?

With Jonathan Kuminga struggling to lock in defensively, there’s already talk that Buddy Hield could earn a starting spot in the Warriors’ lineup. If Kuminga doesn’t use his physical traits to become a more effective defender, the Warriors may opt to start Hield instead, given his offensive firepower and growing defensive contributions.

This competition for starting positions is one of the Warriors’ greatest strengths. Depth and versatility have always been key components of their success, and with Hield in the mix, they have even more options to work with. Hield’s ability to shoot, create offense, and now contribute on defense gives the Warriors a valuable tool in their quest to return to championship contention.