Buddy Hield Speaks on Difference Playing Without Tyrese Haliburton

When he left the Sacramento Kings to join the Indiana Pacers via trade, Buddy Hield was attached to his young standout teammate, Tyrese Haliburton, in the midseason deal in 2022.

At the time, Hield had been in the NBA since 2016 and was already established as one of the NBA’s sharpest shooters from deep. Meanwhile, Haliburton was in his second year and was recognized as one of the most intriguing risers from his 2020 draft class.

In Sacramento, Haliburton generated a ton of buzz around his name, but he still had work to do. With the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton developed into a two-time All-Star and is one of the NBA’s most efficient young guards.

Hield benefitted from playing alongside Haliburton, who has averaged over nine assists per game since he started with the Pacers. Being that Haliburton was the clear-cut go-to option for the Pacers, Hield found himself in a specific role which didn’t require much from him beyond being the reliable three-point scorer.

Since landing with the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline last week, Hield has taken advantage of the fact that the team is shorthanded and in need of a versatile threat to take some of the pressure off of the first-time All-Star, Tyrese Maxey, in the absence of the MVP big man, Joel Embiid.

“Coming from the Pacers where I was just playing my role, just being a floor spacer,” Hield told reporters this week. “Tyrese Haliburton was our guy…He does so much for everybody, so I didn’t need the ball in my hand. I didn’t get to like, do as much. I was not allowed to show what else I can do because he generates so much offense for everybody else. He’s that good.”

With the Pacers this season, Hield averaged 12 points in 52 games. His shooting numbers from beyond the arc were down to 38 percent. In the playmaking department, he wasn’t much of a factor, as he averaged just 2.7 assists per game, taking a backseat to the prolific passer that is Haliburton.

Since joining the Sixers, Hield’s small sample size is nothing to overlook.

In four games, Hield’s usage has increased from 17.5 percent to 22.3 percent. With the ball in his hands more, the veteran has produced 22 points per game while dishing out eight assists per outing. From deep, he’s taken 40 threes already, hitting on 45 percent of those attempts.

“I come into a situation where guys is out and I had to step back into that role,” Hield added.

Eventually, the Sixers will get more guys back in the mix, which will take some of the load off Hield. Lately, the Sixers have missed Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, Nic Batum, and Embiid. Three of the four players mentioned above have yet to spend a minute on the floor with Hield since the trade.

So far, Hield’s progress with the 76ers has been impressive. As he gains help around him and learns more about the system through time following the All-Star break, he should only grow more productive as the season continues.

Following the break, the Sixers will hit the court next Wednesday to take on the New York Knicks. The matchup will mark Hield’s fifth game with the team.