NBA ALL-STAR 3-POINT CONTEST

February 18, 2023

Buddy Hield

Press Conference

Q. Overall how was this experience tonight?

BUDDY HIELD: Disappointing. None of it's happy. Even though we both had a chance to go at it, but -- like he said in his interview, everybody needs one on their résumé, and he got one. Hats off to him.

Q. Do you think you would have won if you went last?

BUDDY HIELD: I think I had a pretty good shot. I think I can relax, and I think setting the tone is always hard because you're going against a guy and beating a tie and shooting, it's always good for you to see what number you have to beat and then lock in and focus.

Q. What did it mean to represent Indiana here?

BUDDY HIELD: It's fun, man. It's fun. Even though I beat Ty, but it still bums my gut I didn't get the win, man, but maybe next year. I don't know. I might retire.

Q. I got one that's not related to the 3-Point Contest. TQ [Trevelin Queen] and Gabe [York] are here. How cool is it to have them here as well, All-Star Weekend?

BUDDY HIELD: It's great. It shows you the hard work and the true testament of grinding and getting after it. Hopefully those guys will be grinding for a long time. PQ's story, Gabe, he is trying to get to the NBA and working his ass off each and every day to get to this point. Their stories are still not written yet. They're going to keep on grinding and keep getting ready.

Q. How excited are you to have the All-Star Game in Indy next year? What will that mean?

BUDDY HIELD: I'm excited. I can't wait for it to happen. Bringing the All-Star Game to the city and the NBA to know Indiana more and getting after it. I don’t even know what to say.

Q. I wanted to know what you know about Brazil? Have you heard we're having Carnival right now?

BUDDY HIELD: Yeah, I should be in Carnival right now. Right now, I should be in Carnival. I heard a lot. I didn't get to go, to visit. I heard it's a beautiful place. One of my trainers is Brazilian, so he always talks to me about it all the time. I would like to get to know about it, for real.

Q. Do you think it's more fun there than All-Star Weekend?

BUDDY HIELD: Yeah, I think so (laughing). Yes, 100%. I guess time will tell.