Buddy Hield has signed with the Golden State Warriors, joining forces with Stephen Curry in what fans deemed “Splash Buddies” from Day 1 itself. The new duo sparked comparisons to the legendary “Splash Brothers.” But, truth be told, there’s no Klay now. But on the brighter side, Hield hasn’t taken too long to start proving those ‘splash’ tags. The hooper is having a solid season so far, averaging 21.3 points with impressive shooting efficiency, playing a vital role in Golden State’s strong 3-1 start! With Curry currently out because of injury, Buddy’s contributions become even more critical as the team navigates the early weeks of the season.
As the Warriors take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the rematch, Hield and Curry shared an animated exchange. During a break, the duo can be seen interacting with each other while doing a handshake. Just vibing together on the sidelines, after Hield made a three-pointer. The footage of the hooper seemingly taking in Steph’s advice is an instant hit among the fans who managed to watch it.
Steph and Buddy after Buddy’s last 3PM 😂 pic.twitter.com/NHBKF3ubAv
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 31, 2024
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As Buddy Hield integrates himself into the Warriors’ system, expect his responsibilities to grow, particularly during Curry’s recovery. They aim to capitalize on their impressive start and utilize his shooting ability to keep their momentum going in the next games.
Steve Kerr adds a 13th man in his unconventional 12-man rotation, with Stephen Curry sidelined
The Golden State Warriors have long embraced the motto “Strength in numbers,” but this season, they’re really pushing that concept to the limit. The Bay Area side kicked off its season using a 12-man rotation, with the idea being that injuries often push players to take on larger responsibilities. Kyle Anderson is ready to fill a Draymond Green-like position whenever the defensive stalwart is sidelined.
Similarly, Buddy Hield offers immediate scoring- this season he’s averaged 55.6% from deep range, while Brandin Podziemski, usually a supportive backup, has the skills to take charge.
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Is the 'Splash Buddies' era upon us, or is it just wishful thinking from Warriors fans?
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According to Steve Kerr, Lindy Waters III has stood out as one of the Warriors’ top performers since the start of training camp. In the first Pelicans game, two days ago, the hooper scored 21 points alongside 8 rebounds and 4 assists while going 8-13 from the floor!
However, he found himself outside Kerr’s initial rotation at the season’s start, a tough break in a deep roster situation. Nonetheless, Waters got his shot four games in when injuries sidelined Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and De’Anthony Melton. Kerr has always been fond of Waters. Even during his time on the bench, Kerr mentioned he would feel at ease putting Waters in the starting lineup.
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Tuesday night’s matchup against the Pelicans provided Waters with a chance to shine, and he proved he could stay sharp despite not having much court time prior, as he led the team with a +26 rating!
In previous seasons, the Warriors often struggled in games without Curry, lacking sufficient scoring options to revive their offense. However, with Waters and Hield, they now have two dynamic movement shooters capable of perplexing opposing defenses.
After the Warriors secured a 124-106 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Steve Kerr hinted at expanding the rotation. He shared this with a playful smile, stating, “We’ve decided we’re going to have a 13-man rotation now,” which elicited laughter from reporters at the post game press conference.
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He added, “Waters is going to make his case for more playing time. … I’m just happy for this kind of depth for nights like tonight.” Looks live even without Stephen Curry, the Warriors will have no trouble taking on opponents this season.
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Is the 'Splash Buddies' era upon us, or is it just wishful thinking from Warriors fans?