Since joining the Golden State Warriors, Buddy Hield has been a solid addition to the Steph Curry-led team, which started the year with a 14-9 record, placing them in fifth place in a difficult Western Conference.

Considering Buddy Hield recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers, his recent comments led many to believe he was throwing shade at the Sixers while also expressing his love for his situation with the Warriors.

“I didn’t really have that love last year,” Hield said recently. “We wanted to find a team where I could feel valued and loved.”

Hield then praised the players and coaches at Golden State for helping him see the game differently while bringing him back to his “old self.”

As much as it seems like a shot for the Sixers, it shouldn’t be viewed as offensive for the Philadelphia-based franchise.

76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey made it clear at the end of the 2024 NBA Playoffs that Buddy Hield’s stay did not go as planned.

While Hield looked like a star signing at the 2024 trade deadline, his early winning streak cooled. Ultimately, Hield struggled to find consistent minutes in the playoffs. By the time he caught fire in the postseason, it was too late. The 76ers were eliminated in six games in round one against the New York Knicks.

A lot went wrong for the Sixers last year, and it all started when Joel Embiid suffered an injury that required surgery. Once he was back on the roster, the team had a hard time building optimal chemistry before the postseason. Before last year’s playoff run, Hield only played five games with Embiid.

With the Sixers, Hield scored 12 points per game while knocking down 40 percent of his 6.6 three-point attempts per game. In 23 games with the Warriors, he averaged 14 points and hit 43 percent of his threes on 7.6 attempts per game.