Buddy Hield was the difference maker for the Warriors in their Game 7 win vs. the Rockets on Sunday night. After leading all scorers in the game, Hield spoke to Charles Barkley and the crew of Inside the NBA show. He narrated how Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler fueled the Warriors’ emotions before coming into Game 7. Green and Curry have always been the vocal leaders of the Warriors but with Butler, the amount of experience these three veterans bring to the table is unparalleled knowledge for any young basketball player.
When Barkley asked Hield how the Warriors bounced back from the Game 6 loss, he said, “Yesterday, when we get to Houston, we had a very emotional meeting led by Draymond, Steph, and Jimmy. From then, I was just locked in. Just kept my spirit together … the meeting we had gave everybody chills. When we go to the Finals, we know what that means and the meeting was well needed.”
How Did Buddy Hield Perform Against The Rockets?
After losing his starter role to Gary Payton II following Game 4, Buddy Hield was reintroduced into the starting lineup by Kerr in Game 7 of the series following Payton’s injury. While the Rockets used a double-big lineup with Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun, Hield used it to his advantage, spaced the floor well and punished the Rockets from beyond the arc. He dropped 22 points in the first half (including 14 in the second quarter) and finished the game with 33 points to lead all scorers for the Warriors.
On a day when the defense was focused on Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, Hield reminded the Rockets that he’s currently the second best shooter in the league. He ended up making nine 3-point shots in the night which sparked the Warriors’ offense when no one else could.
This was Hield’s first experience in a competitive Playoff series after the Philadelphia 76ers were swept in the first round last season. In this series, Hield has averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The motivation he got from the veterans seemed to have helped him ensure the Warriors are not eliminated from the Playoffs.
What Did This Win Mean For The Warriors?
The Warriors are moving on to the second round where they are set to face the Timberwolves. With such a performance in Gary Payton’s absence, Hield has likely solidified his spot in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards will collide for the first time in the Playoffs, making it a must-watch series.
Paul Pierce claimed that Anthony Edwards watched LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in the Olympics and learned how to beat them. He was able to beat James and Durant successfully. Can he repeat that glory with Curry? Or will the Warriors’ veteran superstar get his way with the young guard?
