[NBA] ‘Thomson blank, none?’ Hield explodes from the first preseason game

[점프볼=이규빈 기자] Hield performed amazingly from the first game of the preseason.

The Golden State Warriors won 122-112 against the Sacramento Kings in the 2024-2025 NBA preseason game held at the Golden One Center in Sacramento, California, USA on the 10th (Korean time).

As it was a preseason game, there was a player who played a big role for Golden State in a situation where the main players’ playing time did not exceed 20 minutes. This is Buddy Hield, who joined the team as a free agent. Hield came off the bench that day and showed off his explosive power, scoring 22 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes. Hield made 8 of 9 shots, including 6 of 7 3-pointers.

On this day, Hild truly exploded. Hield’s shot cracked the rim, and the opposing team’s defense was ineffective.

The positive thing is that Hield has shown an adaptation to Golden State’s system of basketball. Golden State’s offensive tactics are famous for being complex, and in particular, linkage play between the big man and the shooter is key. On this day, Hild showed perfect chemistry in this area. He exchanged passes with Kevon Looney, the starting big man, and when he received a pass from a teammate, he immediately attempted a 3-point shot.

Although it is preseason, Hield was limited to games against Sacramento and performed well to make us forget the absence of his predecessor, Klay Thompson.

Golden State did not acquire former franchise star Thompson this offseason. Thompson, who became a free agent, was released as is. Instead, Hield and D’Anthony Melton were recruited with the salary to be paid to Thompson. Hield is a 3-point shooter, and Melton is a 3&D player. In other words, Thompson’s void was filled by two players.

Hield expressed the opinion that most people fit Golden State’s style of basketball. The reason was the 3-point shot. Hield is a player who has consistently recorded a high-level 3-point shooting success rate since his NBA debut season. Hield’s NBA career 3-point shooting success rate is 40%. The accuracy is surprising because the number of 3-point shot attempts per game is high.

Of course, other than 3-point shooting, Hield has no notable offensive strengths. The defense is very weak and becomes the target of the opposing team’s intensive attacks. There is no ability to coordinate the game or assist. It is no exaggeration to say that Hield’s abilities are limited to 3-point shooting. However, Golden State is the team that utilizes these 3-point shooters best in the NBA. From Hild’s point of view, he had found the right destination.

Although it’s only the first game of the preseason, Hield already looks like a player familiar with the Golden State uniform. If this kind of performance continues in the regular season, Golden State fans will not miss Thompson.

#Photo_AP/Yonhap News