Warriors sharpshooter Hield reflects on ‘great’ Kings tenure

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Warriors sharpshooter Hield reflects on ‘great’ Kings tenure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buddy Hield was the Kings’ prized possession before he was Klay Thompson’s replacement on the Warriors.

Hield, selected No. 6 overall by the Pelicans in the 2016 NBA Draft, spent six seasons with Sacramento after New Orleans traded him there for storied center DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins during the 2016-17 All-Star break.

Being a King was something Hield cherished. In talking to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson on “Dubs Talk,” the 31-year-old reflected on his time in Sacramento.

“Sacramento was so great for me,” Hield told Johnson. “Even though we didn’t win, I feel like just being around those guys, playing and learning each and every day taught us how to win. Even though we didn’t get to win, we learned how to win and how hard it is to win in the NBA.”

Over 385 games with the Kings, Hield went 156-229 and failed to reach the NBA playoffs. However, the sharpshooter made every night count.

Hield averaged 16.9 points and made 40.2 percent of his 3-point shots. He also fattened his wallet while receiving mentorship from former Kings icons-turned-executives Peja Stojaković and Vlade Divac, as well as owner Vivek Ranadivé.

“I’m happy that I was able to learn while I was in Sacramento when I was a young man,” Hield said. “And Sacramento helped me put more money in my pocket. I can never forget that. Vlade and Vivek, they took me as their little son. I learned from them and Peja and the coaching staff that was around me there, and they really helped me and shaped me into the man I am today.”

Hield earned his first millions on a typical rookie deal — which was prompted by the Pelicans’ draft selection — but made big-time money once signing a four-year contract with the Kings in October 2019. Then, Hield inked a four-year deal worth $85 million.

And, of course, being coworkers with Stojaković, Divac and Ranadivé taught Hield a lot that his college, Oklahoma, could never teach him.

Playing for Golden State during the 2024-25 NBA season after being with Sacramento, among other…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-sharpshooter-hield-reflects-great-171547445.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-12-11 17:15:00

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