Jaden McDaniels on the Differences Between Guarding Buddy Hield and Steph Curry 😅 (🎥 @davemcten)

When it comes to defending elite shooters in the NBA, few players have embraced the challenge quite like Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. Known for his length, agility, and defensive IQ, McDaniels has earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter stoppers. But even he couldn’t help but laugh when asked about the difference between guarding Buddy Hield and Steph Curry in a recent interview (🎥 @davemcten).

Let’s just say—there’s levels to this.

“Man, it’s different,” McDaniels said with a grin, clearly reflecting on some high-stress nights on the court. “Buddy’s a shooter, for sure—he moves well, comes off screens fast, and if you’re late even a second, it’s three points. But Steph? That’s cardio on another level. You gotta be ready to run a marathon.”

It’s easy to understand his point. Buddy Hield is widely respected as one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. He spaces the floor, punishes defenders for giving him too much room, and consistently finds ways to get open with sharp cuts and off-ball movement. But when you’re chasing Steph Curry, you’re dealing with something else entirely.

“He never stops moving,” McDaniels said of Curry. “You might think you’ve done your job for 20 seconds, then boom—screen, relocate, and he hits a three with half a second on the shot clock. That’s the difference. With Steph, it’s not just guarding him—it’s surviving him.”

McDaniels also touched on the mental side of defending the two. “With Buddy, you know he’s dangerous if he gets hot, so it’s about staying disciplined. But with Steph, it’s mental warfare. He’ll hit two deep ones in a row, and you start questioning reality. You look at the bench like, ‘Am I doing something wrong?’ And they’re just like, ‘Nah, it’s Steph.’”

The Timberwolves’ defensive ace said he prepares for each shooter differently. “With Buddy, I try to stay attached and force him off his spots. With Steph, I gotta communicate constantly—switches, screens, all that. You can’t relax for a second.”

Despite the challenges, McDaniels made it clear he embraces the opportunity. “That’s what I love about this job—competing against the best. I get to guard guys like Buddy one night, then turn around and deal with Steph the next. It pushes me.”

And while the differences between Hield and Curry are clear in McDaniels’ eyes—style, stamina demands, and sheer unpredictability—it’s also clear he respects both immensely.

“Different types of killers,” he said. “But if you slip for even a second with either of them… you’re cooked.”

Safe to say, no matter who he’s matched up against, McDaniels will continue making life difficult for some of the NBA’s deadliest scorers—just with a little extra cardio when #30 is in the building.