We need to talk about Buddy

[CDM_Stats]

Buddy will continue to start because teams continue to guard him, for the most part, like he's an elite microwave shooter, and no one aside from Curry gets anywhere near that treatment. Simple as that.. the team is better when he's on the court because of it. I'd love if he shot better, but the fact that the Curry/Hield/GP2 trio works well, and that Butler will give Hield more open looks, means that he's going to continue to start and then likely be paired with GP2 when Butler sits in Q1 to stagger him

Until Moody becomes more of a consistent 3pt threat - and is treated like one by defenses - then there's no one who's going to bump him. Podz has an outside chance but putting Hield with the bench squad means you are really going to sink him, as the main positive he brings to the table would be gone - which is spacing with the starters. Not only that, but removing Podz from a situation where he's starting to thrive could make it a two-pronged negative

I’m ok with him starting as it gives him an opportunity to get going, which is important. What I would like to see, is when he is clearly not shooting well, reduce his minutes appropriately.
When he is not contributing with his shooting he tends to play poorly defensively and make mistake on the other side of the ball.

Yes, that what I was going to say in response to CDM. I am totally fine with Buddy starting, was clamoring for that myself when Kerr was forcing Shroder in to start. No matter what Buddy does, his presence and the threat of a 3 has effect on easing Curry. My only problem is if he totally doesn't have it, somewhere during the game the adjustments have to be made. This is on Kerr and that is where he truly fails.

I'm fine with him being pulled early too - besides C, SG is the spot where they should be feeding what works on a game to game basis. But starting him with Curry is and has been the correct call all season since Melton got hurt. Ending the game with him? Well.. that should be unanswered until the end of Q3 in each particular game. And really the decision should come down to him or Podz

[CDM_Stats]

Moses can't guard quick guards. He's purely a SF.

I think we can just call him a forward now.. he can situationally play some SG but his value goes up the more you move him up positionally.. has some really great trends going for him as a 4

He should come play in Australia. He could play the 4 in the NBL full time.

Do we have the highest percentage of NQR players on our roster?
Moses is built like a prototypical 2G. Best played at the 4.
JK should be an incredible, over powering SF. Instead he’s a small 4 with defensive issues.
Podz has good size and handle for a PG but can’t run the team effectively. Instead he’s, nominally a 2G who can’t shoot catch and shoot 3’s.
Draymond is a play making 4/5 who struggles inside offensively, an inconsistent outside shooter who shortens the court offensively for opposition defenders.
Jimmy is a brute of a SF but shooting limitations mean he plays more like a 4.
Even Steph, a great PG, albeit turnover prone, who is better played off ball to unlock his shooting and gravity.

It’s a difficult roster to turn into a 50 win team.

We so desperately need a 2 who is athletic, can dribble, finish at the rim, knock down open 3’s and defend. By that reckoning we need to trade for Jaylen Brown……
TDJ, Hield and a future 2nd should do it…

I think if the most commonly listed thing by position was wingspan instead of height, the Warriors wouldnt even be considered that small of a team. Avg wingspans (along with Warriors in smallball set):

PG: 6'6-6'7 (Curry: 6'4 // Spencer 6'7)
SG: 6'9 (Hield: 6'9 // Podz 6'6)
SF: 6'11-7' (Butler: 6'8 // GP2 6'8)
PF: 7'1 (Moody: 7'1 // JK 6'11 // Gui 7' )
C: 7'3 (Dray: 7'1 // Looney 7'4 // Post 7'3 // TJD 7'1)

So we're slightly on the downside with the smallball unit, especially in the backcourt, but nothing too dire. I am a bit shocked that Butler was only a 6'8 wingspan.. I guess I just assumed he had a 7' wingspan because of how active he is

[floppymoose]

Buddy was available to sign at a low price as a free agent. Its really rare for those players to be anything more than average. He is a reasonable replacement for Klay at a lower price tag, and doest cause any team issues.


If you are expecting more:

[DonaldSanders]

In Steve's post game presser he said Podz will be starting going forward.

Buddy back to the bench, I think that's a good call; Let Podz try to continue to grow so we have a chance at upside. I also like his chemistry with Jimmy on defense.

I think Steve has known if you have a chance of being a good team, Buddy can't be your starter. Melton's injury and Podz's struggles/injury threw a wrench in that, and Buddy got some opportunities to start.

[TB]

Tonight was a great example of why Buddy as a cheap Klay replacement works. When he isn't playing well, he maxed out at 13 minutes. How would that have worked benching Klay after starting 0-4 from 3?

[WarriorGM]

Buddy was +3 in this game. Yes he was -10 in his last stint in the 3rd quarter but he was +10 in his first stint in the 1st quarter. Kerr did not play Buddy in the 4th as one would expect of a coach who notices his player is on a bad streak.

Buddy has his uses. He does not seem to work well with Post and his stints with Podz are lackluster. He's fine with Steph though and that's a more important matter.

[CDM_Stats]

Tonight was a great example of why Buddy as a cheap Klay replacement works. When he isn't playing well, he maxed out at 13 minutes. How would that have worked benching Klay after starting 0-4 from 3?

It is good that he can be benched, but the good games from him are going to be few and far between, more so than normal. He had a minor impact with Steph in the game, was a complete ghost without him. Meanwhile Podz' biggest offensive flurry was without Steph. Opportunity cost might not be worth it, although closing with Podz over Hield should definitely be the default. At game's end, no point in doing anything but putting your best lineup out there

Buddy was +3 in this game. Yes he was -10 in his last stint in the 3rd quarter but he was +10 in his first stint in the 1st quarter. Kerr did not play Buddy in the 4th as one would expect of a coach who notices his player is on a bad streak.

Buddy has his uses. He does not seem to work well with Post and his stints with Podz are lackluster. He's fine with Steph though and that's a more important matter.

The literal 1st play Buddy was involved in showed why you play Buddy and Steph. Aaron Holiday was shadowing Steph, as teams do. Curry was in the corner being shadowed, Hield gets loose at the 45 degree part of the 3pt line, and Holiday leaves Steph open in the corner to close out on Hield. Is there anyone else on the team that gets that consideration? Hield doesnt deserve that kind of respect but until teams stop giving it to him, I'd rather see him getting more minutes with Steph than Podz, at least in the first 3Qs

[Jax_23]

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of an NBA 2K Rec random lmao

Dude better get it together before the playoffs.

1) Make your open shots

2) Don't do stupid sh**

so simple

[B-King]

Modern day Swaggy P.

[wco81]

Unfortunately too much variance from game to game to rely on, even with the team winning.

Seems like he's rushing shots even when relatively open.

It's interesting how comparable Buddy and Klay shooting numbers are, as well as rebounds, assists, turnovers. Klay has gotten more minutes and shot attempts but with Luka gone and Kyrie out for the season, he may not get as many good catch and shoot looks as he was earlier in the season.

https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/6475/klay-thompson

https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2990984/buddy-hield

Which one would you rather have for the rest of the season and any post-season games?

[floppymoose]

I take Buddy over Klay easily.

Mavs have already turned on him: https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-jason-kidd-makes-feelings-clear-klay-thompson-s-reduced-minutes-loss-vs-bucks-have-figure-stop-leak

[DonaldSanders]

I take Buddy over Klay easily.

I'm not a big fan of Klay at his salary now, but if Klay was Buddy priced and fine coming off the bench for 15-20 mins, I'm taking Klay. But he had a really hard time doing that, and it messed up the whole season last year... and he costs over double.

Klay: 3P% 40, EPM +0.5
Buddy: 3P% 39, EPM -1.0

[DB23]

Tonight was a great example of why Buddy as a cheap Klay replacement works. When he isn't playing well, he maxed out at 13 minutes. How would that have worked benching Klay after starting 0-4 from 3?

What’s really sad is that this team would be so much better with a happy, locked in klay that embraced a lesser role rather than buddy.

He’s playing way harder in Dallas then he did all last season here.

[Onus]

I take Buddy over Klay easily.

I'm not a big fan of Klay at his salary now, but if Klay was Buddy priced and fine coming off the bench for 15-20 mins, I'm taking Klay. But he had a really hard time doing that, and it messed up the whole season last year... and he costs over double.

Klay: 3P% 40, EPM +0.5
Buddy: 3P% 39, EPM -1.0

So not Klay?

[DonaldSanders]

I take Buddy over Klay easily.

I'm not a big fan of Klay at his salary now, but if Klay was Buddy priced and fine coming off the bench for 15-20 mins, I'm taking Klay. But he had a really hard time doing that, and it messed up the whole season last year... and he costs over double.

Klay: 3P% 40, EPM +0.5
Buddy: 3P% 39, EPM -1.0

So not Klay?

Basically. But just saying at equal price and able to do the lesser role thing in GS instead of Dalls, Klay is better.

But yeah I'd rather have Buddy in reality just because there's no pouting when he is benched.

[kevin44]

Klay needed to go. Buddy had some good years in Sac but was always inconsistent. When he gets hot watch out but he will always be a liability on defense.

[TB]

Buddy and Klay’s per100 numbers are virtually identical across the board.

The difference has been 7m and a positive attitude.

[DoubleLintendre]

I'm OK with Buddy for all his inconsistencies. He just needs to show up/get hot in the playoffs to justify his spot.

[Zvaart]

I like his effort on defense and the passing on offense. Both better than actual Klay.

[floppymoose]

Buddy and Klay’s per100 numbers are virtually identical across the board.

The difference has been 7m and a positive attitude.

And a chunk of cap room.