Buddy Hield went off against the Rockets in Game 7 of their first-round series. He dropped 33 points with nine three-point shots made. This was a record in three-point shots ever made during a Game 7 in the Playoffs. Arguably, the difference maker in what could’ve been a close game.
After the game, Hield was asked whether this was the greatest game he had ever played. “Ask Dillon Brooks”, he answered concisely. Considering what he did to Brooks in the Elite Eight during March Madness 2016, this game was like history repeating itself. He also said, “I told him, ‘I sent you home. I’ma send you home again.”
Dillon Brooks’ Oregon Ducks faced Buddy Hield and the Oklahoma Sooners in the Elite Eight of the 2016 NCAA March Madness. Hield torched the Ducks and went for 37 points that sent the Ducks home in that elimination game, and the Sooners clinched their place in the Final Four. Hield made sure to remind Brooks about their history and use it against him.
Warriors Don’t Seem To Like Dillon Brooks
From Stephen Curry to Draymond Green to now Hield, Warriors players have made it evident that they do not respect Dillon Brooks. Curry took a subtle shot at Brooks and his teammate Alperen Sengun by wearing sunglasses to his post-game press conference after winning Game 7 of the series. It seemed to be a shot at the time Dillon Brooks admitted following Game 5 that the Rockets are targeting Curry’s thumb. Draymond Green also reacted when social media observed this subtle dig from Curry.
Meanwhile, Green was more vocal about his dislike for Brooks. Following the Game 7 win against the Rockets, Green went on his podcast to call out Dillon Brooks for not showing good sportsmanship. He said he lost respect for Brooks and even deemed him a “sucka” for skipping the team handshakes after the Warriors came out on top in Game 7 in Houston. Even Steve Kerr indirectly criticized Dillon Brooks’ actions after Game 5 of the series, where he said it’s “the dumbest thing ever” that the league allows him to target Curry’s injured thumb.
What’s Next For Buddy Hield And The Warriors?
With the 33-point performance against the Rockets, Hield has likely cemented his spot in the Warriors’ starting lineup. The Warriors now moved on to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, where they are set to face Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves. While Hield only averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in these playoffs, he always scored over 15 points when playing 25+ minutes in the game. Therefore, Kerr has an additional indicator telling him to start Hield or at least give him significant minutes in the games.
Hield will likely also be the X-factor in this series against the Timberwolves. However, he will not have an easy time as he’s likely to be matched up with Jaden McDaniels, who is a brilliant perimeter defender. Arguably the second-best defender on the Timberwolves after Rudy Gobert, McDaniels will be a completely different challenge than Fred VanVleet was for him in the Rockets series. Will Hield be able to show up in important moments for the Warriors? Or was this Game 7 performance a fluke? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
