{"id":101063,"date":"2024-10-13T23:16:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T03:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=101063"},"modified":"2024-10-21T13:55:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T17:55:48","slug":"warriors-steve-kerr-sixth-man-role-mind-buddy-hield-addition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/13\/warriors-steve-kerr-sixth-man-role-mind-buddy-hield-addition\/","title":{"rendered":"Warriors\u2019 Steve Kerr Has Sixth Man Role In Mind For Buddy Hield"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Klay Thompson<\/a> took his boat to uncharted waters, agreeing to sign a contract with the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors\u2019 first move was to sign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hieldbu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buddy Hield<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Hield, who spent last season with the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers, had been looking for a long-term home. After the Sixers traded for him, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/03\/lottery-picks-campaign-to-re-sign-with-sixers-in-free-agency\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">he thought he\u2019d found that<\/a> in Philly with Nick Nurse. At the start of free agency, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/06\/warriors-more-details-emerge-buddy-hields-free-agent-suitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">he was courted<\/a> by the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat, all championship-contenders. In the end, he chose to play for the Warriors, fascinated by how he could fill in Thompson\u2019s shoes.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, Hield has always been considered a potential starter. While Golden State has talked up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/podzibr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandin Podziemski<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/meltode01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">De\u2019Anthony Melton<\/a>, neither one of them can hold a candle to Hield\u2019s flamethrower. On a team that built its reputation on the backs of the Splash Brothers, Hield seems like the right person to step up in Thompson\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n<h2>Warriors\u2019 Steve Kerr Has Sixth Man Role In Mind For Buddy Hield<\/h2>\n<p>According to NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Monte Poole, Hield will be the team\u2019s sixth man.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Though there was muted speculation that Buddy Hield was a candidate to start for Warriors, coach Steve Kerr makes it apparent Buddy will be 6th man. Wants him on the floor when Stephen Curry is off. De\u2019Anthony Melton appears to have the inside track as starting SG<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MontePooleNBCS\/status\/1845598293017157984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants the sharpshooter on the floor when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Curry<\/a> is off of it. As a result, Melton \u2014who has played well this preseason \u2014has \u201cthe inside track\u201d on a starting spot.<\/p>\n<h3>A(nother) Decision To Question<\/h3>\n<p>Kerr has been heavily criticized for his rotation decisions, even before the Paris Olympics. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuminjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/a>, a star-caliber lottery pick, is being <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/08\/warriors-jonathan-kuminga-wants-first-time-all-star-in-2024-25\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">implored to separate himself<\/a> from the pack as if he hasn\u2019t already. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moodymo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moses Moody<\/a> has received the same directive, as if his standout performances evaporated into thin air.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Kerr on Moody: \u201cIt\u2019s a numbers game. The only thing any of these guys can do is go out and have a great camp and make it really hard on us as decision-makers, and Moses is having a great camp. He\u2019s playing great. All he can do is just keep doing what he\u2019s doing.\u201d <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UPzFIhOnhE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UPzFIhOnhE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/957thegame\/status\/1843420352963326444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Kerr\u2019s innovative approach may have taken the league by storm, but it\u2019s fair to question his decisions. Is he just dogmatic about running his system of is he unable to adapt to different personnel? Is he running a meritocracy or does his history with players mean more than maximizing their success?<\/p>\n<p>Should <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greendr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Draymond Green<\/a> continue to start when he\u2019s their least threatening scorer? If he does start, should it be at center, where he might be more dynamic?<\/p>\n<p>Frankly, Kuminga and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Wiggins<\/a> should probably be their starting forwards. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jackstr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trayce Jackson-Davis<\/a>, who can assume some of Green\u2019s playmaking responsibilities, should probably be their starting center. Yet, Kerr\u2019s so resistant to change, it\u2019s almost impossible to see him taking this path without being forced too.<\/p>\n<p>All of that being said, he isn\u2019t wrong about how Hield should be used.<\/p>\n<h3>Why It\u2019s The Right Call<\/h3>\n<p>Out of every player on their roster, Hield has the best chance of replacing Thompson\u2019s shooting. That much is definitely true. However, last season, the Warriors\u2019 offense stalled too easily when Curry was on the bench. It was so much of a problem that it even became a talking point for Kerr.<\/p>\n<p>After all, Curry isn\u2019t getting any younger and can\u2019t be expected to carry the team as often as he did in years past.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Hield coming off the bench as a sixth man is actually shrewd decision. When Curry\u2019s sitting, teams still have to worry about a point guard who can heat up from beyond the arc. He can still play alongside Curry too. If one of their wings can\u2019t capitalize from beyond the arc, Hield can be the safety net.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHe looks the part, doesn\u2019t he? He comes off the bench, and you can feel his impact immediately. He\u2019s not shy, and we need that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kerr on if he sees Buddy Hield as a traditional sixth man on this team <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8m7gcyfboZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/8m7gcyfboZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/957thegame\/status\/1845664800216363134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 14, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As a former sixth overall pick who has started in two-thirds of the games he\u2019s played, there\u2019s going to be many who look at <em>those<\/em> circumstances, saying he should start.<\/p>\n<p>Still, it\u2019s not what\u2019s best for the team. In fact, it\u2019s not even what\u2019s best for Curry. He doesn\u2019t just need a great catch-and-shoot target alongside him in the backcourt but someone who can defend at a high level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Klay Thompson took his boat to uncharted waters, agreeing to sign a contract with the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors\u2019 first move was to sign Buddy Hield. Hield, who spent last season with the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers, had been looking for a long-term home. After the Sixers traded for him, he [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":101066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25,1608,62,3],"tags":[256,70,528],"class_list":["post-101063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-warriors","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","tag-buddy-hield","tag-klay-thompson","tag-steve-kerr"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101063"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101063\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}