Steve Kerr’s continued trust in Buddy Hield has become a divisive topic among Golden State Warriors fans as the team struggles to stay competitive in a challenging Western Conference. Despite Hield’s inconsistency and declining shooting percentages, Kerr remains committed to the veteran guard, frequently reiterating his belief in Hield’s ability to turn things around.

“Yeah, he’s had some good looks, and he’s a great, great shooter. We know that. And I think he’s pressing a little bit. I think all our guys are pressing because they know our margin for error is slim.”

“And so he’s just pressing, but I trust him. I mean, I put him in the last play because I believe that he’s always going to make the next shot.”

“He gives us space, and even when he’s not making shots. He gives us space, people respect him, they guard him and he opens up the floor, so I’m going to keep playing him. I’m going to keep trusting him.”

After the Warriors’ recent 104-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors, where Hield missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds and struggled with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists shooting 3-13 from the field and 2-10 from 3-point range, Kerr defended his decision to trust Hield with the final shot.

While Kerr’s faith in Hield demonstrates confidence in his player, it has also sparked frustration among fans. Many believe Hield’s role should be scaled back, especially given his prolonged shooting struggles. Over his last 31 games, Hield has shot 37.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, a significant drop from his early-season form, where he averaged 21.2 points on 50% three-point shooting in October.

Hield’s trajectory this season mirrors the infamous “Buddy Hield Cycle,” a meme capturing the pattern of his career: he starts strong with a new team, showcases elite shooting, and then fades into inconsistency while offering little on defense. His current averages of 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 41.6% shooting reflect a player struggling to provide consistent impact.

Fans are growing increasingly impatient as the Warriors’ record falls to 19-20. Calls for Hield to take on a more limited role have intensified, particularly with his minutes often coming at the expense of younger or more reliable contributors like Dennis Schroder, who has shown flashes of effectiveness in limited opportunities.

Kerr’s reliance on Hield stems from his belief that Hield’s shooting, even during slumps, can open up the floor for the Warriors’ stars, particularly Stephen Curry. Kerr has emphasized that Hield’s spacing forces defenses to account for him, creating opportunities for Curry and others to operate.

However, critics argue that Hield’s defensive lapses and streaky shooting often outweigh his spacing benefits. To salvage Hield’s role with the Warriors, adjustments are necessary. Many fans and analysts suggest shifting him to a spark-plug bench role, limiting his minutes to 15-18 per game based on his performance. If he’s shooting well, he could see extended time, but if not, his minutes could be reduced to prevent further harm to the team’s overall performance.

While Kerr’s loyalty to Hield reflects his coaching philosophy of empowering players through rough patches, the Warriors are running out of time to correct their trajectory. If Hield cannot regain consistency, Kerr may need to reassess his rotation to give the Warriors the best chance at success in a competitive conference. For now, Kerr’s trust in Hield remains steadfast, but the team’s results may ultimately force a reevaluation.