Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 415
July 20, 2024
2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the diving competitions in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the diving competitions during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchWang Zongyuan, China: The Tokyo silver medalist on 3-meter springboard behind teammate Xie Siyi, Wang has established himself as the favorite heading into Paris with three straight world championships.
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi, China: These teenagers have gone back and forth as the world’s top female divers off the 10-meter platform. The 17-year-old Quan won gold at the Tokyo Games ahead of her teammate. The 18-year-old Chen captured back-to-back world championships before Quan reclaimed the top spot at this year’s worlds in Doha, Qatar. No one else is even close to this duo.
Tom Daley, Britain: He will compete in his fifth Olympics at age 30, coming off a gold medal-winning performance in synchronized platform at Tokyo. Daley will be looking to add to an Olympic collection that also includes three bronze medals.
Storylines to followRelated ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsChina’s dominance: The Big Red Machine has dominated the sport for the past four decades, and there’s nothing to indicate anything will change at these Games. Since claiming its first diving victory at the 1984 Olympics, China has hoarded 46 of 60 gold medals, to go along with 23 silvers and nine bronzes. It is nothing less than one of the greatest dynasties in Olympic sports history. The only question heading into Paris is whether China can sweep all eight diving events at a single Games for the first time.
Synchronized hopes: The best chance at gold for the rest of the world likely will be in one of the synchronized events. China’s only loss at each of the last two Games came to British duos in men’s synchro, with Chris Mears and Jack Laugher claiming the 3-meter title in 2016 before Daley and Matty Lee upset the Chinese team on the 10-meter tower in Tokyo.
Red-white-and-blue prospects: The Americans once dominated this sport, and they’ll be looking to follow up on a promising performance in Tokyo. The U.S. captured a pair of synchronized silver medals as well as Krysta Palmer’s springboard bronze.
Key datesThe diving competition, which is being held at the new Paris Aquatics Centre, begins July 27 with the final of women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard. The schedule is staggered over 10 days through Aug. 10, when the meet concludes with the final of men’s 10-meter platform. Medals will be awarded on July 29, July 31, Aug. 2, Aug. 6, Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.
Reigning championsMen’s events:
3-meter springboard: Xie Siyi, China10M platform: Cao Yuan, ChinaSynchronized 3M springboard: Xie Siyi and Wang Zongyuan, ChinaSynchronized 10M platform: Tom Daley and Matty Lee, BritainWomen’s events:
3M springboard: Shi Tingmao, China10M platform: Quan Hongchan, ChinaSynchronized 3M springboard: Shi Tingmao and Wang Han, ChinaSynchronized 10M platform: Chen Yuxi and Zhang Jiaqi, China
2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the cycling competition in Paris
A roadmap to follow for cycling — BMX freestyle and racing, time trial and road racing, track cycling and cross-country mountain biking — during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchChloe Dygert, United States: The reigning time trial world champion also will compete in the road race and the team pursuit.
Hannah Roberts, United States: The five-time and reigning BMX freestyle world champion finished second at the Tokyo Games.
Wout van Aert, Belgium, and Mathieu van der Poel, Netherlands: They are the favorites for the road race.
Tom Pidcock, Britain: The defending mountain bike gold medalist will be heavily favored to repeat.
Jennifer Valente, United States: She upset the favored British team in the multi-discipline omnium on the track in Tokyo.
Storylines to followAfter cycling was largely an afterthought in Rio and Tokyo, where the sport is not as popular, it should take center stage in Paris coming on the heels of the Tour de France. The iconic Grand Tour will end in Nice, rather than its customary finish on the Champs Elysee, because of the Summer Games.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsBritain and the Netherlands have been the dominant nations in cycling, but the U.S. will have one of its strongest teams in several Summer Games. Chloe Dygert (time trial) and Hannah Roberts (BMX freestyle) are heavy favorites to win gold, and there are up to a dozen other riders across the disciplines with a chance to stand on the podium.
Key datesCycling is one of the few sports that takes place every day of the Summer Games.
The schedule has changed this year, with the men’s and women’s time trials taking the place of the men’s road race on July 27, the day after the opening ceremony. Mountain bike moves up to Days 2 and 3 of the program before BMX freestyle and racing take center stage. The men’s and women’s road races are Aug. 3 and 4 before the final week is dominated by track cycling at Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines outside Paris.
Reigning championsWomen’s Road Race: Anna Kiesenhofer, AustriaMen’s Road race: Richard Carapaz, EcuadorWomen’s Time Trial: Annemiek van Vleuten, NetherlandsMen’s Time Trial: Primoz Roglic, SloveniaWomen’s Mountain Bike: Jolanda Neff, SwitzerlandMen’s Mountain Bike: Tom Pidcock, BritainWomen’s BMX Racing: Beth Shriever, BritainMen’s BMX Racing: Niek Kimmann, NetherlandsWomen’s BMX Freestyle: Charlotte Worthington, BritainMen’s BMX Freestyle: Logan Martin, AustraliaWomen’s Track: Jennifer Valente, United States, among othersMen’s Track: Matthew Walls, Britain, among others2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the canoe/kayak competition in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the canoe/kayak competition during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchLisa Carrington, New Zealand: Carrington won three gold medals at the Tokyo Games; the K-1 200 meters, the K-1 500 meters and the K-2 500 meters.
Casey Eichfeld, United States: The 34-year-old Eichfeld is going to his fourth Olympics after competing in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsAimee Fisher, New Zealand: Fisher recently beat Carrington in the K-1 500 at the ICF Canoe World Cup and set the world’s best time in the event this year.
Evy Leibfarth, United States: The 20-year-old Leibfarth will be the first American woman to compete in three whitewater events; canoe slalom, kayak slalom and kayak cross. She finished 18th in canoe slalom and 12th in kayak slalom at the Tokyo Olympics when she was 17.
Nevin Harrison, United States: Harrison won the C-1 200-meter race in Tokyo and is back to try again.
Storylines to followThere will be a new event this year: the kayak cross. Four competitors slide off a ramp and maneuver through an obstacle course. Competitors can use their paddles against each other. They also must execute an Eskimo roll before crossing the finish line — that means flipping 360 degrees into the water then landing upright.
Key datesCanoe slalom, including kayak cross, begins on July 27. The finals are held from July 28 to Aug. 5. Canoe sprint begins on Aug. 6. The finals are held from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10.
Reigning championsMen’s Slalom
C-1: Benjamin Savsek, SloveniaK-1: Jiri Prskavek, Czech RepublicWomen’s Slalom
C-1: Jessica Fox, AustraliaK-1: Ricarda Funk, GermanyMen’s Sprint
C-1 1000m: Isaquias Queiroz, BrazilC-2 1000m: Serguey Torres and Fernando Jorge, CubaK-1 200m: Sandor Totka, HungaryK-1 1000m: Balint Kopasz, HungaryK-2 1000m: Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green, AustraliaK-4 500m: Max Rendschmidt, Ronald Rauhe, Tom Liebscher and Max Lemke, GermanyWomen’s Sprint
C-1 200m: Nevin Harrison, United StatesC-2 500m: Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya, ChinaK-1 200m: Lisa Carrington, New ZealandK-1 500m: Lisa Carrington, New ZealandK-4 500m: Danuta Kozak, Tamara Csipes, Anna Karasz and Dora Bodonyi, Hungary2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the beach volleyball competition in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the beach volleyball competition during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchAnders Mol and Christian Sørum, Norway: Mol had surgery in March to repair a broken bone in his left foot.
Chase Budinger, United States: The 6-foot-7 former NBA player earned a berth with Miles Evans as the No. 2 U.S. men’s pair.
Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, United States: The reigning world champions are hoping to keep alive a streak of U.S. medals on the women’s side. Cheng could be the only American with Olympic experience.
Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, United States: Going to their first Olympics. Kloth is 6-foot-4 and Nuss is 5-foot-6.
Storylines to followOne of the Olympics’ most telegenic sports will bring its beach party vibe to the Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, in a park that once served as the training grounds for Napoleon Bonaparte.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsThere is a passing of the torch among the super-successful American women, who have won four of the past five gold medals. Misty May-Treanor is retired, Kerri Walsh Jennings is 45, and Tokyo champions April Ross and Alix Klineman each took time off to start families.
Key datesThe preliminary rounds start July 27. The women’s gold medal will be awarded on Aug. 9, followed the next night by the men’s.
Reigning championsMen: Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, NorwayWomen: Alix Klineman and April Ross, United States2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the badminton competition in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the badminton competition during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchBeiwen Zhang, United States: After winning the women’s singles gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, the 33-year-old is the best shot at the first American badminton medal at the Olympics since its debut as a medal event in 1992. Born in China, Zhang moved to Singapore as a teenager in 2007 and has represented the U.S. internationally since 2013.
Viktor Axelsen, Denmark: Axelsen was Europe’s only medalist (gold) in Tokyo three years ago, and he was the top qualifier for Paris. At 30, this will be his third Olympics; he won bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Chen Yu Fei, China: The defending women’s singles champion led China to a tournament win in May and finished behind only An Se-young of South Korea in the Paris qualification rankings.
Storylines to followThe U.S. mixed doubles team of Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai qualified at the Pan Am Games. It still will be an uphill climb for them to medal.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsPablo Abian of Spain and Kevin Cordon of Guatemala are just the third and fourth players to make it to a fifth Olympics. Neither has medaled.
El Salvador, Kazakhstan and Nepal are represented in badminton for the first time, all in men’s singles with Uriel Francisco Canjura Artiga, Dmitriy Panarin and Prince Dahal, respectively.
Key datesGroup play begins July 27 and runs through July 31, the same day mixed doubles quarterfinals begin. The mixed doubles bronze- and gold-medal matches are Aug. 2; women’s doubles on Aug. 3; men’s doubles on Aug. 4; and men’s and women’s singles on Aug. 5.
Reigning championsMen’s singles: Viktor Axelsen, DenmarkWomen’s singles: Chen Yu Fei, ChinaMen’s doubles: Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, TaiwanWomen’s doubles: Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, IndonesiaMixed doubles: Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dong Ping, China2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the 3X3 basketball competitions in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the 3X3 basketball competition during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchJimmer Fredette, United States: The 35-year-old Fredette, who became a superstar at BYU and was the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, headlines the American men’s team. He began playing 3X3 in 2022 and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year in 2023.
Canyon Barry, United States: The son of Hall of Famer Rick Berry played collegiately at the College of Charleston and Florida. He was the 2017 Academic All-American of the Year and has a bachelor’s degree in physics and masters degree in nuclear engineering. He is known for his unorthodox underhand free-throw shooting, which helped him shoot 88.3% from the line as a senior.
Strahinja Stojacic, Serbia: Stojacic started playing 3X3 full time in 2018 and has been ranked as the world’s top player for most of the past two seasons. The son of a professional basketball player, Stojacic is known for his epic dunks and is nicknamed “Doctor Strange.”
Hailey Van Lith, United States: Van Lith also helped the U.S. win gold at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Van Lith, who plays at TCU, was named MVP of the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Under-18 World Cup after leading the team to a gold medal.
Storylines to followThe U.S. men’s team will compete in the event for the first time after failing to qualify in the inaugural contest in Tokyo. The addition of Fredette has vaulted the team to gold medal contenders this time around after the USA won silver at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and gold at both the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup in Miami and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsRhyne Howard, who plays for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, is on the U.S. women’s team alongside Van Lith, Cierra Burdick and Dearica Hamby, who is replacing an injured Cameron Brink. Howard played 3×3 for the first time with the U.S. at a training camp in Springfield, Mass., in April.
Serbia is ranked No. 1 in the world and is expected to contend with the United States for gold after winning bronze in Tokyo. Led by Stojacic, Serbia beat Team USA 21-19 to win the last World Cup.
Key datesPool play runs from July 30-Aug. 4. Semifinals and medal games are Aug. 5.
Reigning championsWomen: United StatesMen: Latvia2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the artistic swimming competitions in Paris
A roadmap to follow for the artistic swimming competitions during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Athletes to watchWang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi, China: The 27-year-old twins dominated at this year’s world championships in Doha, Qatar, and they’ll be among the gold-medal favorites in Paris.
Storylines to followRussia Stays Home. After sweeping the gold medals at six straight Olympics, Russia didn’t take part in the last three world championships and won’t be at the Paris Games either because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For the first time since 1996, a country other than Russia will claim Olympic gold.
Related ArticlesOlympics | 2024 Olympics: What to know — and who to watch — during the archery competition in Paris Olympics | ‘Simone Biles Rising’ review: An elite gymnast untangles the twisties Olympics | Olympics | TV Tinsel: NBC set for Olympic coverage, including dash of Snoop Dogg Olympics | Inside the design of intricate, crystal-patterned U.S. Olympic gymnastics team leotardsMen Are Welcome. Men have competed for decades in the lower levels of the sport formerly known as synchronized swimming, but this will be the first time they’ve been allowed at the Olympic pool. They can compete only in the team event, not duet, with a limit of two men on the eight-member squads.
Rising Powers. China appears most likely to fill the Russian void at the top of the medal table after winning seven of 11 events at this year’s worlds in Doha, Qatar, with Japan and Spain also in the mix. The U.S. earned a spot in both events after failing to qualify for the team competition in Tokyo.
Key datesThe artistic swimming competition is being held over five days at the new Paris Aquatics Centre. It begins Aug. 5 and concludes Aug. 10, with an off day on Aug. 8.
Reigning championsDuet: Svetlana Kolesnichenko and Svetlana Romashina, Russian Olympic CommitteeTeam: Russian Olympic Committee.July 19, 2024
Horoscopes July 19, 2024: Benedict Cumberbatch, build enthusiasm and connections
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Trai Byers, 41; Jared Padalecki, 42; Benedict Cumberbatch, 48; Nancy Carell, 58.
Happy Birthday: Keep sight of your dreams and hopes. Elaborate, set a plan in motion and carry out your wishes to the max this year. Indulge in events and activities that help build enthusiasm and connections that point you in the right direction. Curb spending, and budget wisely for the things you require to meet demands. Protect your rights and stand up to emotional manipulation. Your numbers are 9, 14, 23, 27, 31, 35, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Snap up any opportunity that comes your way. Use your intelligence, ingenuity and ability to act fast to beat anyone trying to compete with you. Arrange to do something entertaining with someone you love. Personal gains look promising, and romance is favored. 5 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stick close to home and make changes that make life easier. A change of plans will leave you in the lurch. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake. Set the record straight and avoid situations that don’t meet your criteria. Pay attention to detail. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay attention to how you present yourself. Update your look, pick up a new hobby or plan a day trip that will offer insight into personal growth and better lifestyles. Consider the possibilities, and make decisions that allow you to add to your qualifications. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take nothing for granted. Follow up, verify and walk away from indecency and misleading information. Distance yourself from anyone trying to pressure you to adopt their beliefs. Let your originality shine through, and stand up for what’s right. You will make a difference. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Stay tuned in and ready to move out of the line of fire. Refrain from getting caught in other people’s drama or taking the fall for something you didn’t do. It’s up to you to maintain control and call the shots if you want to win. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be open to information and change, but be careful not to let anyone push you in a direction that’s more reflective of them than you. It’s in your best interest to take the path that leads to progress and utilizes what you do best to reach your goal. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take the initiative to get things done, and live up to your promises before someone complains or criticizes you. Timeliness will be advantageous and win you favors, as well as the support you need to follow through with your plans. A connection you make looks inviting. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your differences aside and do whatever it takes to take care of business. Use your creativity and intuition to attract interest, but wait for a better proposal before you agree to participate. Don’t believe everything you hear. Protect your health and well-being from injury and heartbreak. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A clear mind will help you sort through what’s feasible and worthwhile. Pay attention to what things cost and how to get the most for your money. Prepare to barter and outmaneuver anyone who tries to take advantage of you. Love and romance are in the stars. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick to the truth, set goals, establish what you are willing to do and entertain the people who can help you get where you want. Be proactive and respond appropriately; you’ll gain respect and interest in your achievements. Nurture meaningful relationships. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take care of domestic issues and make your surroundings functional. Sorting through any differences you have with someone you love will bring you closer together. Take advantage of a unique opportunity, and enjoy the benefits that follow. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A change will offer a different perspective regarding new possibilities and what’s available. Participate in activities that require discipline and imagination, and you will shine. Your adaptability will attract attention. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are energetic, unique and transparent. You are expressive and powerful.
1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.
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July 18, 2024
Monterey council moves forward with general plan update, ballot measure for city charter changes
The Monterey City Council passed the city’s general plan update in a joint meeting with the Planning Commission this week.
The council voted 4-1 to pass the plan, with council member Ed Smith dissenting.
City staff presented an overview of the plan to both the council and commissioners, which includes the housing element, land use element, safety element, circulation element and the environmental impact review. They’ve been working toward the finalization for the past two years.
Most of the discussion centered around the housing element, as it’s required by California for cities to have a certain amount of affordable housing units.
According to the city map provided in Tuesday’s agenda, Monterey marked opportunity areas near Lighthouse Avenue, Downtown Monterey, Del Monte Avenue, North Fremont Street, Garden Road near the airport and Ryan Ranch and Fort Ord.
Commissioners had questions about maps outlining areas near Fort Ord, where much of the space has been vacant since the base closed.
However, city staff said that space is not recognized as vacant by the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, but can be used as a potential opportunity site for planning purposes.
“Fort Ord Properties are used as a buffer, everything else will be built in Monterey,” said City Manager Hans Uslar.
The council also recommended the outlining near Del Monte Avenue be updated to reflect that no housing will be built near the oceanfront.
The council also voted to place a ballot measure for voters to decide if they want to make amendments to the city’s charter including clerical updates, specifying the starting and ending dates for terms of office, imposing 12-year term limits and authorizing leases of real property nonprofit organizations, government entities or educational institutions.
The council voted unanimously on the clerical updates, dates for terms of office and the lease changes. The council voted 3-2 on term limits, with council members Alan Haffa and Smith dissenting.
“I vigorously oppose this. It’s beneficial to have new people, but it’s also beneficial to have experience and have someone that knows what happened in the past,” Haffa said.
Smith agreed, saying the public should decide when a council member’s term ends through their vote each election.
Public comment was supportive of term limits, mentioning that it would help bring in more diversity amongst the council and would encourage council members and the mayor to make decisions that will have a lasting impact while they are in office.
There was also support for the amendment to Article 6.4 which includes the leases of city property. The question to voters will be if they want to allow the city to lease below-market value property to qualifying nonprofits, government entities or educational institutions that serve the community. Examples of this include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the American Legion Post 591.
Buddy Hield isn’t here to replace Klay Thompson
SAN FRANCISCO — Since the 2019-20 season, only one player has made more 3-pointers than Stephen Curry: Buddy Hield.
It took Hield more than 100 more games and 200 more attempts, but in terms of sheer volume from deep in the regular season, Hield has led the way.
So it would only be natural for Hield to come in and replace Klay Thompson, the franchise icon who helped change the game with Curry in the backcourt as a lethal 3-point shooter.
Not quite. For the Splash Bros to become the Splash Buddies, Hield will have to earn it.
“There’s no pressure,” Hield said Thursday at San Francisco State University.
“Just come in and do my job. What Klay has done for this organization has been tremendous. I loved watching him over the years, he’s special. The way he can get hot and the way he can change the game, the two-way player he is, the championship player he is. So I don’t look at it as pressure, but I think it’ll be fun just being in that role and seeing if I can get the same looks he got.”
Hield knows nobody can replicate what Thompson meant to the Bay Area or to the Warriors franchise. It would be ridiculous to try to mimic him in any way. The question for Hield, though, will be whether he can imitate at least some of the high-volume 3-point shooting off the catch that the Warriors lost when Thompson left.
The veteran said he hasn’t talked in-depth with the Warriors’ coaching staff about his role with Golden State. Last season ended unceremoniously in Philadelphia, with a first-round exit and Hield mostly out of the rotation.
Hield, though, looks to be firmly in the thick of a deep wing depth chart with the Warriors.
Hield’s uniquely structured contract pays him like a rotation player for two seasons ($18 million guaranteed) and gives the Warriors nearly complete autonomy ($3 million guaranteed in Year 3, then a partially guaranteed player option in 2027-28).
His acquisition screams high upside, low risk.
The Warriors added Hield in a sign-and-trade via the six-team deal that involved Thompson. He’s entering his ninth season and is a career 40% 3-point shooter — 14th all-time among players with at least 3,000 attempts.
While Hield has been a relatively one-dimensional player in the NBA, he is one of the most durable players in the league, and Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. complimented his off-ball defense.
Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | 3 takeaways as Plowden stays hot, Warriors remain undefeated in Summer League Golden State Warriors | Steph Curry stars in Team USA’s 105-79 win over Jokic, Serbia in Olympic warmup Golden State Warriors | As war in Gaza continues, Warriors’ Israeli Summer Leaguer prays for peace Golden State Warriors | Warriors sign Summer League standout Daeqwon Plowden to two-way deal Golden State Warriors | Podziemski flirts with triple-double in Warriors’ Summer League winThis summer, Hield played for Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco on the Bahamian National Team, coming within a few possessions of qualifying for the Olympics.
Hield said he and Thompson recruited DeMarco to Team Bahamas to try to establish more legitimacy for the small island nation.
Having experience with DeMarco could help smooth Hield’s transition to the Warriors. While his skill set fits Golden State’s need for more spacing, his time with Philadelphia last year after the trade deadline is a reminder that adjusting to a new team can be tough.
“I think from a shooting standpoint, Buddy really helps with losing Klay,” Dunleavy said in Las Vegas earlier this month. “But on top of that, I think there’s room for others to step up in terms of volume and accuracy.”
Outside of Curry, Hield is the only reliable volume 3-point shooter on the Warriors roster.
Golden State hopes Brandin Podziemski can get more comfortable shooting pull-up 3s and is optimistic Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga will improve. However, none of them will command the type of attention Thompson did from defenses.
Especially in lineups with Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt, spacing will be at a premium.
In those lineups, Hield will likely have to share the court with someone who’s a better shooter than him — something he’s never done in the NBA.
“Steph, I’ve been watching him my whole life,” Hield said. “Ready to learn, ready to watch him, see how he goes about his shooting mechanics, his routine. I think it’ll be interesting to learn from him.”
Hield has been watching the Warriors for their entire run, but some in-house players have more familiarity with Golden State’s system than him competing for minutes on the wing. The depth chart includes Kuminga, Moody, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II, as well as newbies Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton, and Hield.
Despite eventually being removed from the starting lineup, Thompson averaged 29.7 minutes per game last season. After Kuminga and Wiggins, it’s possible no one in that cluster approaches that amount of playing time. Hield must separate himself from the group to establish himself in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
He doesn’t have Thompson’s championship DNA, so he won’t be grandfathered in. He’ll have to shoot himself into the mix.
“I know that they’re excited for me to be here, and I’m excited to be here,” Hield said.
