The One Player Who Could Single-Handedly Save the Warriors' Season

The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA over the past decade, with a roster that has consistently produced championships. However, their performance this season has been inconsistent, and a big reason for this can be attributed to Buddy Hield's shooting form. When Hield is on, the team wins; when he's off, they struggle.

This might seem like an oversimplification, but the numbers bear it out. In games where Hield shoots above his season average from three, the Warriors are significantly more likely to win. Conversely, when he struggles, the team's offense stagnates and they often come up short. But why is this the case? Why does Hield's shooting have such a disproportionate impact on the Warriors' success?

One big reason is the Warriors' roster construction. Unlike many other teams, who have a deep bench with multiple scoring options, the Warriors are heavily reliant on their starting five. They have a few key players who can create their own shot – Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole – but beyond that, they lack a reliable secondary scoring punch. This is where Hield comes in. He's a prolific shooter who can get hot at a moment's notice, taking pressure off the starters and opening up the court for everyone else.

But Hield's value goes beyond just his shooting. He's also an elite spot-up player who can play off the Warriors' ball-dominant stars. When Curry or Thompson is cooking, Hield is the perfect complement, providing a knockdown shooter who can space the court and create room for others to operate. And when he's not on, the Warriors' bench – which has struggled all season – can't compensate for the loss of production.

This also reflects a bigger problem with the Warriors' roster – their lack of depth. Unlike teams like the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks, who have multiple scoring options and can create mismatches with different lineups, the Warriors are essentially a top-heavy team. When their stars are playing well, they're almost unbeatable. But when they're off – as they often are – the bench can't pick up the slack. This is why Hield's shooting becomes so crucial; without him, the Warriors' offense grinds to a halt.

So how can the Warriors fix this problem and become more consistent? One solution is to make more additions to the bench, either through trade or free agency. This would give them more depth and options, allowing them to compensate for Hield's off nights and create more mismatches. Another solution is to give more minutes to young players like Moses Moody or Ryan Rollins, who show promise but need to develop more. This would give the Warriors a longer-term solution to their bench woes and potentially create more offense.