Buddy Hield’s Career-Defining Decision: Choosing Steph Over LeBron Pays Off in Game 7 Heroics

In one of the most pivotal free agency decisions of the 2024 offseason, Buddy Hield turned heads when he chose to sign with the Golden State Warriors over the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a move that raised eyebrows across the league — turning down a chance to play alongside the legendary LeBron James for an aging but still dangerous Warriors team built around Steph Curry. Now, months later, Hield’s gamble has paid off in historic fashion.

The Warriors’ thrilling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets ended in spectacular fashion, and it was Buddy Hield — not Steph, not Jimmy, not Draymond — who emerged as the Game 7 hero. Hield poured in a career-high 33 points, including a scorching 9-for-13 from beyond the arc, to help Golden State clinch the Western Conference Finals and punch their ticket back to the NBA Finals. In a game defined by grit, momentum swings, and superstar showdowns, it was Hield who rose above them all.

The Decision: Steph Over LeBron

Hield’s choice to sign with the Warriors was as much philosophical as it was practical. While LeBron James offered the allure of Hollywood, legacy, and a well-oiled playoff machine, Hield saw something different in Golden State. He saw spacing, freedom, and trust — all anchored by Steph Curry’s selfless leadership.

“Steph plays a style that maximizes guys like me,” Hield said in a postgame interview. “The way he moves, the attention he draws — it opens everything up. I believed I could be my best here.”

It’s not a knock on LeBron — but rather an acknowledgment of fit. With Curry constantly relocating off the ball and Steve Kerr’s motion offense emphasizing movement and shooting, Hield found a system that allowed him to play to his strengths without compromise.

Flourishing in the Bay

Throughout the season, Hield carved out a role that went far beyond “designated shooter.” He became a trusted closer, a vocal presence in the locker room, and a key component in the Warriors’ small-ball lineups. His chemistry with Curry developed quickly, with both players feeding off each other’s gravity to create nightmare matchups for defenses.

Game 7 against Houston was the culmination of that trust. As Curry drew double teams and Draymond orchestrated from the top of the key, Hield found himself open time and again — and he delivered. He scored 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a dagger three with under a minute left that silenced the Toyota Center.

Legacy Moments

This wasn’t just a breakout game — it was a legacy-defining moment for a player who had long been seen as a role player, a fringe starter, or a floor-spacer. On the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, Buddy Hield showed he could be the guy. And it all traced back to his decision to bet on himself — and on Steph.

“It was never about choosing between two great players,” Hield said. “It was about choosing the right opportunity. And Golden State gave me that.”

Now, with the Finals looming and momentum on their side, the Warriors look rejuvenated — not just because of Curry’s brilliance, but because Buddy Hield chose belief over comfort, and in doing so, rewrote his career arc.

Would Hield have had these chances standing in the corner while LeBron ran the offense? We’ll never know. But one thing is clear: he made the right choice.

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