"Staying true to who I am": Buddy Hield on his hot start, learning from Stephen Curry, and embracing the Warriors’ culture (Exclusive)

Buddy Hield’s arrival in Golden State has proven to be a seamless transition. The veteran sharpshooter has quickly adapted to the Warriors’ motion-based offense, providing a vital scoring boost as the team seeks another championship.

When Stephen Curry was sidelined, Hield’s contributions proved crucial, helping the Warriors achieve a 3-0 record in Curry’s absence—an improvement over last season’s 3-5 mark without him. The team has started the season 7-1, showing resilience despite missing Curry for three games before his return to the lineup on Monday against the Washington Wizards.

“Buddy’s 3-point shooting is huge for the Warriors’ system, so he fits like a glove,” Warriors teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis told Sportskeeda. “I’m happy for his success, and we’re going to keep needing him because he’s been a big part of our success.”

Hield has averaged 21.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in eight games while shooting an impressive 51.7% from the field and 50.7% from 3-point range. His recent 27-point, six 3-pointer performance in an overtime win over the Houston Rockets underscored his immediate impact, during which he surpassed JJ Redick to rank 20th on the all-time three-pointers made list.

Except for two performances, he's scored 20 or more points in each game despite only playing 26.1 minutes per game and coming off the bench.

A seamless fit in Golden State’s offense

The Warriors’ motion-heavy offense has enabled Buddy Hield to excel with his catch-and-shoot skills. His efficiency has been remarkable, producing 1.67 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts and 1.95 PPP on unguarded shots.

He leads the league with 10.8 points per game on catch-and-shoot attempts, ahead of Klay Thompson with the Dallas Mavericks. They are the only players in the NBA averaging 10 or more points per game from catch-and-shoot attempts.

“Just confidence, and being accepted for my role and what I do,” Hield shared with Sportskeeda. “I'm just trying to play at a high level, being myself, and seeing what I can become. It’s about elevating my game. Mentally, I've been doing this my whole life, staying locked in, preparing every day mentally and physically.”

The Warriors offense has leveraged Hield's overall skill set with this motion shooting talent, and the gravity he commands is significantly leveraged in a fast-paced attack in transition that stays patient in the half-court by frequently making the right play.

Buddy Hield’s presence in Delay sets has further expanded the Warriors’ offensive options. Whether the Warriors are getting into a Delay set, playing out of Split action after an entry pass, running an off-ball action like a stagger or double stagger, or using multiple ball screeners, it's valuable to have a shooter like Hield.

“It’s definitely more mental,” Buddy Hield said. “We can all shoot, but it’s about keeping consistency when someone’s guarding you, avoiding distractions, and staying locked in. It’s hard, but it's fun.”

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has noted Hield’s seamless fit in Golden State and observed the similarities to Thompson. Whether coming off the bench or not, Hield has quickly been featured on opponent scouting reports.

“He’s Klay Thompson all over again, really—that’s how they’re using him,” Udoka told Sportskeeda. “He slides right in, albeit off the bench, and they’re not changing their style at all. They continue to play the same way. … They’re keeping their system consistent with him in there.”

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who has overseen Hield’s integration firsthand, sees further parallels to Thompson, particularly in Hield’s off-ball movement and demeanor. Early on, Hield fit the bill for a team that needed to replace one of the league's highest-volume catch-and-shoot threats in Thompson.

"Buddy’s like Klay, great at catching and shooting off screens and pin-downs,” Kerr said. “Also, very similar demeanor, very much just unconscious as a shooter. Doesn't have a long memory. I've seen him twice now in games, already in only five games, turn bad shooting nights into good ones because he just kept going, kept shooting, kept running.”

Much focus tends to be placed on Buddy Hield's on-court contributions, namely his catch-and-shoot results. Going beyond that, Kerr highlighted Hield’s energy and positive attitude, which have been instrumental. Even when Hield doesn't get off to a strong shooting start, it doesn't deter him from staying aggressive.

“His energy, positivity, and joy. Every day is a great day for Buddy, and it really shows, even when his shots aren’t falling,” Kerr said. “He’s had games where he didn’t shoot as well and others where he’s been on fire, but his attitude, effort, and force are the same no matter what. You can’t even tell the difference watching the tape.”

Building on Kerr's perspective, Moses Moody sees Hield’s natural ability to forget misses and move on to the next play as a key reason he thrives in the Warriors’ offense. Golden State’s system is designed to engage shooters, often finding opportunities off screens and movement. Hield’s ability to stay ready and take shots as they come has made him a natural fit.

“He has a short-term memory, always ready to get his shot up and look for opportunities,” Moody explained. “In this offense, with guys like Draymond and others setting screens and looking to get shooters open, there’s always a chance for him to take his shots.”

Leadership, positivity and learning from Curry

Beyond his shooting, Buddy Hield’s influence has extended to his leadership and positive energy, which have resonated with teammates. He has been given room to be himself, allowing him to serve as a leader early in Golden State. He credits the personalities on the team for enabling him to have this type of presence.

“Just being myself, keeping my high character and personality,” Hield said, discussing his leadership role. “These guys are great to be around, so I just want to stay true to who I am.”

Draymond Green praised Hield’s approach, citing his consistency and commitment. Hield's aggressive mentality to get up shots helps the Warriors execute their scheme, particularly when Curry is sidelined. However, Green also praised Hield's energy and positivity, describing him as a reliable presence the team can count on:

“He is going to go find shots, which we love. Even more than that, it’s the demeanor that he brings to the gym every single day, to meetings, to flights—it’s always the same.

"And when you have guys like that, everyone feeds off that energy. Buddy’s been a great addition, and his shooting has been crucial, especially with Steph out. He’s been right there for us each time we need him.”

Andrew Wiggins echoed Draymond Green’s praise, highlighting how Buddy Hield’s presence has energized the Warriors both on and off the court. For Wiggins, Hield’s drive and upbeat attitude set a positive tone that the team feeds off. After being around the Warriors for a few days, Hield's high standard is reflected in his performance.

While Curry was going through a return-to-competition ramp-up workout on Friday, despite having already fully practiced at Toyota Center, Hield was the last player to leave the floor after getting hundreds of reps. He's frequently the first player on the court for workouts, whether pre-game or coming out of the tunnel at halftime.

“On and off the court, Buddy’s presence is always felt,” Wiggins said. “In the locker room, he’s great with everybody, and on the court, his energy is contagious. … His hard work has been great to have around.”

Moody sees Buddy Hield as more than just a sharpshooter; he views Hield’s consistent energy as a crucial part of the Warriors’ chemistry. Beyond his scoring, Hield’s positivity and enthusiasm lift the team steadily, helping keep spirits high throughout the season. With how often teammates spend time together, whether on the road or at the practice facility, this is one of the immeasurable values that can enhance a team beyond the box score.

“Buddy’s energy stands out,” Moody said. “He brings energy all the time—not just on the court, but also off the court, in the locker room, and on the plane. It’s something that doesn’t get talked about as much as his shooting, but it’s great to have that energy around.”

The Warriors' culture has also benefited Hield, only helping him to flourish in a new environment. Curry has served as a valuable resource for Hield to learn, bolstering Hield’s experience so far with Golden State. Hield has already noted the results Curry yields through his patience, but he has also observed how he leads.

“Just his patience and leadership,” Hield said of Curry’s influence. “He’s so calm and collected—it’s hard to explain, but it’s something I’m trying to bring to my own game on the court.”

Hield also credited the Warriors’ coaching staff for their guidance, detailing how the coaching staff and video coordinators have provided daily hands-on effort to help get the most out of every day. The support has only added to Hield's confidence, enabling him to have such a hot start to the regular season on his new team:

“They’ve all helped me—from the coaches behind the bench to the video guys. They’re all reminding me and guiding me. That’s the fun part of it, having their support.”

Integral to Golden State’s title aspirations

With each game, Buddy Hield has become invaluable to Golden State’s championship pursuit. He has shown why he’s such a natural fit within the Warriors’ culture by blending his shooting prowess with his leadership and steady energy.

As his teammates feed off his presence and the system continues highlighting his strengths, Hield is proving to be more than an addition. He catalyzes Golden State’s quest for another title, embodying the team’s unwavering drive and commitment to excellence as they get the most out of Curry's remaining timeline.