Buddy Hield has signed with the Golden State Warriors, joining forces with Stephen Curry in what fans are calling the “Splash Buddies.” The duo is receiving comparisons to the legendary “Splash Brothers” combination of Curry and Klay Thompson, which secured four NBA titles for the Warriors. Hield 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, Hield’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 engaging with each other. Just vibing together on the sidelines after Hield made a three-pointer. The footage is an instant hit among the fans who managed to watch it.
As Hield integrates more into the Warriors’ system, the team expects his responsibilities to grow, particularly during Curry’s recovery. The team aims to capitalize on their impressive start and utilize Hield’s shooting ability to keep their momentum going in the next games.
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 Warriors 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. Hield offers immediate scoring, while Brandin Podziemski, usually a supportive backup, has the skills to take charge. According to Steve Kerr, Lindy Waters III has stood out as one of the Warriors’ top performers since the start of training camp. Waters is, without a doubt, among the best players.
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 just four games in when injuries sidelined 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. 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.
Waters sparked a remarkable 20-point comeback victory for the Warriors against the Pelicans, contributing 21 points off the bench with an impressive 8-for-13 shooting performance. He also led the team with a plus-26 rating in the box score.
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 postgame press conference. 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 Curry, the Warriors will have no trouble taking on opponents this season.