Buddy Hield has quickly become one of my favorite players on the team and his effervescent personality continues to pop up every time he gets interviewed, whether it’s his Bahamian-accented quick-witted fast-rap-style responses, like this one on staying after practice to get more shots up:
…just until I feel comfortable. It can take two hours, take an hour and a half, 45 minutes, just until I feel comfortable with my shot and it feels good, I’ll take my ass home.
…or a little self-praise — see full transcript below — while staying clear of outright bragging:
…the gravity I pose on the court. You gotta keep a body to me and continuity just makes the offense flow and I’m a scorer that can be (an) outside threat and maybe get a couple of — sneak in a couple of lays, layups here and there, but just being an outside threat…
Btw, Hield credits his college coach at Oklahoma, Lon Kruger, for “making hard cuts… just like a big… diving to the rim.”
Steve Kerr said (below) that Buddy “looks the part” of a Sixth Man, so that’s his official role, being on the floor when Stephen Curry is on the bench.
The video and transcript below is from postgame after the preseason win versus Detroit, plus a bonus one from the on-court radio spot with Tim Roye and Tom Tolbert after the victory at home over the Kings…
00:00 You hit, I think, 11 of your first 12 threes. Obviously not sustainable, but a lot of them did seem like to be the drive-and- kick kind of variety. Shots were feet set. Is this obviously the way it’s supposed to work? Did you like the way that worked setting up those threes?
00:17 STEVE KERR: Much better tonight than it did the other night, just kind of getting into our offensive rhythm and it’s creating better shots for each other. Thought we played with more energy, more bounce, and those things often go hand in hand, so it’s a good night.
00:34 We talked during training camp about Kevon working on his shot, shooting threes in Hawaii. I mean, he’s working that mid- range and he looks just a little bit lighter on his feet. How important was that for him to add back into his game, especially as you guys just evolve your offense? You have Trayce in the mix, those kind of things.
00:54 Yeah. Yeah, he worked really hard all offseason on his body, on his skill, took thousands of shots. And he’s playing well. He’s having a really good camp, and it’s always fun to see Loon playing at this level where he’s healthy and impacting the game and yeah, we want him, if he’s open, we want him to shoot and I love the little mid- range when it’s wide open like that after a good offensive possession. That’s exactly the shot we want. And then he took the one three. Absolutely, like, it’s not like he’s coming down and shooting in transition. I mean, Loon knows exactly what the right shot is and what’s not. So, yeah, he looks good.
01:41 And then with Jonathan, how have you seen him just grow throughout the handful of preseason games that you have had with him playing in that 3 position?
01:49 Well, he’s shooting the three much more confidently, clearly. There’s no hesitation. Looks like he’s getting better balance on his shot. And we want the catch- and- shoot when he’s open. The one thing we don’t want is guys to catch and hold. So we’ve got a ton of guys on this team who can shoot threes. We can move the ball well if we execute our offense. We should have plenty of nights like tonight where we get 18 threes and a bunch of guys all making two, three. It’s a fun way to play.
02:28 With Jonathan shooting confidently from three and he’s hit over half of his threes in a small sample this preseason, is that just the biggest factor for you in terms of him playing the three?
02:39 It’s one of the factors. The ball movement, as well, we’re just trying to find rhythm to the offense. And so it’s recognition of circumstances, spacing, all that stuff, but it’s a five- man combination, so he can play the 3 with the right guys. And if we can continue to improve offensively, hopefully he can play the three with more than just the right guys.
03:11 I know it’s all jumbled with Steph and Draymond out and Andrew and it’s preseason, but you go with the first substitution is Kyle Anderson and GP2 together, long, defensive, can switch everything. Do you like that combination? Do you see something there with those two guys?
03:27 I do. they’re both elite defenders and both really smart. Kyle was a plus- 21 in 13 minutes, didn’t even make a shot, but that’s what he does. He makes an impact on the game, without it showing up on the stat sheet. So yeah, we’re getting a look at a lot of different combinations, and it’s all valuable info for us.
03:54 And Melton, I guess the shot wasn’t going in much tonight, but seven assists, you’ve called him a connector. It’s like you can start him, you can play him on the second unit, play him with both units. Where is he fitting for you in this whole picture?
04:09 Anywhere. That’s the beauty of De’Anthony He’s a basketball player. I mean, he sees the cut. You see, he can handle it. He can play off the ball. He just, he gets it. He sees the pictures out there and feels like every lineup is better when he’s out there, and then at the defensive end, he’s really good. He’s good on the ball. He’s also strong enough to guard up a position and very smart player. So, it’s a joy to have him on our team.
04:40 If Andrew can’t make it back, I mean, all the way by regular season or get those kind of minutes, could you see Melton like a 3 and guard top 3s, possibly, if you go Podziemski, Steph at the one and two?
04:55 I doubt we would go those three together. They’re our three primary ball handlers. So to start them all would leave the bench a little bit thin on playmaking, ball- handling, so I wouldn’t expect to go that route, but De’Anthony is definitely in the mix to start.
📌 05:14 Steve, you said before the game that you want Buddy out there when Steph is off the floor. He’s shooting 59 percent from three, obviously not sustainable, but wondering, do you slot him in sort of that Sixth Man spot as a traditional Sixth Man kind of guy?
05:27 He looks the part, doesn’t he? I mean, he comes off the bench and you can feel his impact immediately. He’s not shy and we need that, we need a scorer off the bench and he’s been fantastic these first four games, so I’m really excited about Buddy. And yeah, that role makes a lot of sense for him. Thanks.
05:54 Buddy, we’re joking in the locker room about your shot and how it is looking pretty pure. You’re at 59% right now. What’s your take on just why it’s falling so well for you right now?
06:05 BUDDY HIELD: I mean, it is getting shots in good rhythm while I was moving, just walking in and trying to get ready for the regular season.
06:13 And what has it been like for camp for you in terms of the way you guys have practiced and just the competition level of depth of this team?
06:21 Just competing every day and just enjoying every moment. Just learning and just figuring out how I can be effective, moving forward every day for this team and just know my role and how to play well with the guys and different lineups. You gotta know how to play with everybody and just learning the guys’ tendencies and just figuring everything out.
06:43 I think earlier this week when we asked you about your jump shot, you said it just feels all right. Does it still just feel all right?
📌 06:51 Yeah, it’s normal. Yeah, it’s normal.
06:56 Buddy, Steve was saying how, at least seemingly so, you’re, right now, the way you’re playing, you’re really fitting into this scoring push coming off the bench. Do you kind of agree with that fit? Does that feel like a good spot for you right now?
07:09 Yeah, well, that’s what Steve needs me to do, I’m just here, just when he calls my name and he’s got me in the game. just play my minutes and play it as high level as I can and just be the best teammate I can be, on and off the court. And just, I enjoy playing here though. And it’s fun. I think everything we doing is new to everybody, too, learning new players, but I’m offered a challenge and whatever Steve wants me to do, I’ma go there and be effective.
07:39 Steve said before the game that he needs you on the floor, for sure when Steph is not out there. What does that mean to you, to hear that? He wants you out there when Steph’s on the bench.
📌 07:49 I guess it shows that the gravity I pose on the court. You gotta keep a body to me and continuity just makes the offense flow and I’m a scorer that can be (an) outside threat and maybe get a couple of — sneak in a couple of lays, layups here and there, but just being an outside threat because the league is going (to where) guys have to respect outside shooting.
08:14 He also talked about your gravity in terms of transition gravity and how, when you take off in transition the defense tends to kind of heads towards you. Do you notice that?
📌 08:25 Yeah I’ve learned it from Lon Kruger and just running the floor from when I was in college and he’s taught me that. And just over the years, just knows that — learning how to play and just making cuts, hard cuts, especially when you’re a shooter. People tend to respect that. And it’s just like a big, running hard to the rim, diving to the rim in the middle of the floor. You gotta honor that if you don’t pull in enough — it’s just making a sacrifice to the team. Hopefully I get a shot, but, it opens up the floor for somebody else. Good? Very good. Easy.
09:12 Trayce, could you just walk us through the play where you blocked Duren and– who else was it? Was it Hardaway? And then leading out to the break to Podz?
09:34 TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS: I think it was Tobias, but yeah, so one of the guards was dribbling up the court and I saw the two behind. So I just told JK to just stay to the right just because I felt like I could get back up to him and he didn’t have to play two. And then they passed it down the middle. So he took the corner and then, obviously, just make a play on the ball and then try to just be reactive, saw Duren get it and then try to make another play. And then I got hit and I didn’t even know. I kind of saw that he hit a three, but I was like, a little bit out of it, got poked in the eye, so–
10:03 I know you said that it doesn’t make that big of a difference, but is that an instance where growing quarter- inch this offseason might have made a difference on the double-block?
10:14 I mean, maybe, I don’t know. It is what it is at the end of the day. Just trying to go out and make plays. And so– yeah.
10:26 What’s it like watching Buddy hield shoot the basketball?
10:28 Buddy. He has a flamethrower. I feel like just when I’m out there with him, just always trying to find out where he’s gonna be on the floor. Obviously, he puts a lot of pressure on the defense, so that’s gonna eventually, when we start playing together more, it’s gonna get me more looks and just making plays. But right now, getting him the ball because he’s super hot right now.
10:49 How quickly were you guys able to get him incorporated? It seems like it’s been a pretty seamless transition with his skill set. How would you describe just kind of his impact so far?
10:56 Yeah, I mean, shooting the basketball in this organization is something that always can translate pretty quickly. And so with him, he makes great reads. He knows where to be on the floor. And then yeah, like you said, the fit’s really seamless.
11:08 Among the new guys, who have you found that chemistry with the most at this point?
11:20 I think, honestly, today was really the first day where me and Melt kind of started to get something going on the pick- and- rolls. He was looking for me a few times and I got a few easy buckets, few lobs from him. And so those are things that are just going to develop with time. I feel like a lot of other guys, like Kyle is another dude. He said that whenever we get in the pick- and- roll, he’s always going to be going downhill, looking, looking, looking and then drop- offs and stuff of that nature, so it’s just stuff with a new team that you gotta just develop and then after that, when you start playing together and get more reps, it will come, so–
11:53 And with the wrinkles that Stotts has introduced offensively, it doesn’t look like your role is that different. Are there tweaks to it that–?
12:02 Coming into this year, I didn’t think that my role was going to change drastically. Just be an energy guy, make simple reads, make the right plays. And that’s something I’m okay with. I’m just continuing to build from there. But yeah, right now, it’s kind of rudimentary into our offense since it’s still the preseason. Obviously, as the season goes along, we’re going to start getting more in- depth with plays and stuff of that nature. But as of right now, yeah, it’s just the basic stuff. And I think as the season goes on, we’re going to add more to our offense.
12:32 With the pick- and- rolls with Melton tonight, what was the key to connecting on some of those lobs? Was it him holding on to the ball an extra beat, setting a different type of screen, anything like that?
12:40 I just feel like teams play us differently. I mean, today they kind of Duren kind of got over a little bit too far, and then Melt was putting pressure on them, and he was just trying to make the right read. There’s a few times where he skipped it over a few times. He got me a few times. He got a layup, and so those are just things that we just gotta continue to work on.
13:00 What are you noticing about the perimeter defense guys in front of you defensively when you’re back there anchoring the rim?
13:06 Yeah, everything’s a funnel. I kind of learned that at the end of last year, just trying to always be ready to make a play. I mean, Draymond, I remember, I think we were in– I think we might have been in Minnesota and we watched film and he was like, if you can be two steps in with your athleticism already, that’s going to be something that will help you tremendously. So just always watching because trying to set everything baseline and then just being there on time, not letting them get easy buckets at the rim.
05:50 Yep. We have our guest. Looks like it’s gonna be Buddy Hield. He’s gonna put on the headset and talk to us from downstairs. Buddy’s got the headset on. Buddy, can you hear us?
06:06 Yes, sir. Oh yeah. Looking at the–
06:08 There we go.
06:09 Guys up there. DoorDash radio.
06:11 Yes. Door Dash radio. There you go.
06:13 We in the booth. We in the booth.
06:14 Oh, what a pro. What a pro.
06:16 We in the booth.
06:17 So, what do you, at this point, first of all as I mentioned in Hawaii, welcome to the club, and it’s great to have you on board. In a preseason situation, you’ve been through this enough times, what do you try to work on? What are you looking for out of yourself in games like this?
06:32 Yeah, I work on habits, principles. Like I say, knowing what the coaches want, I work on that. Go back and watch film and see how I did and how can I correct myself to be better next game. We came out with no energy today, but we figured it out. We tried to figure out the zone, but they made two shots and I feel like they’re getting more 50- 50 balls than us. And we gotta do a better job boxing out and getting to the balls, getting to the loose balls.
06:57 And since our fan base is new to your game up close, give us an idea, when you work on your shots after a practice, do you have a goal, a certain amount of makes, or a certain amount of takes?
📌 07:08 No, just until I feel comfortable. It can take two hours, take an hour and a half, 45 minutes, just until I feel comfortable with my shot and it feels good, I’ll take my ass home.
07:19 What have the coaches been preaching during camp, Buddy?
07:23 Hard play, playing together, playing the right way. Being more aggressive on ball. Doing the little things that matter, that translate to the Warriors. Winning basketball.
07:34 I know one of the things that Steve talks about a lot is not fouling. Moving the feet, don’t foul. How do you think you guys did tonight in that regard?
📌 07:42 I think we did bad. I think that, first half we put them on the free throw line too much and they were able to set their defense. And we want to play in transition and get good looks and play together, you know? And, we didn’t get that. We let them dictate them by putting them on the line. But we gotta be better. And we’ll figure it out.
08:01 Buddy, it’s gonna be, I think, a nice season for you guys. You guys got a lot of parts that Steve Kerr can use in and out on different games, different nights. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun this year.
08:12 Yes, it’ll be a lot of fun. Take it day by day.
08:14 Alright, well then–
08:15 Night by night.
08:16 Get yourself, get yourself to the locker room.
08:18 Yes, sir.
08:18 Thank you, Buddy. Buddy Hield, our guest.
08:21 How great is his accent?
08:22 Oh, it’s wonderful.
08:23 It’s incredible.
🫶💙💛