Indiana Pacers wing Buddy Hield somehow connected on the fastest 3-pointer that was ever recorded in the play-by-play error.
It was an improbable shot that was made just three seconds after the opening tipoff, and after his first touch of the game, Hield wasted absolutely no time before firing off a quick shot from beyond the arc.
The shot connected, and Hield’s name was etched into the record books. But the historic moment didn’t come without some added motivation from Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John. The NBA father, who goes by @PapaHaliburton on Twitter, told Hield he needs to stop dribbling before shooting the ball.
Tyrese Haliburton's Dad to Buddy Hield: "Shoot the ball, stop dribbling."
Buddy: Catches the opening tip and knocks down a three! Fastest 3-pointer in the play-by-play era.
(Via @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/G7C7tYsV0U
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 30, 2022
Hield did what his teammate’s father suggested, and it worked.
For what it is worth, the elder Haliburton has data to prove his point. Hield is currently averaging 1.30 points per possession when he has taken catch-and-shoot jumpers, according to Synergy, but 1.10 PPP on dribble jumpers.
Hield is shooting 43.8 percent on 3-pointers attempted after zero dribbles. But that has dropped down to 38.1 percent after exactly one dribble and 38.5 percent after between three and five dribbles. He is currently shooting just 1-for-6 (16.7 percent) on 3-pointers after seven or more dribbles in 2022-23.
Haliburton joked that he has given Hield this exact same advice for years, but it only took one conversation with his charismatic father for it to resonate.
