The mental game can often weigh on the performance of an athlete. But what if it has to do with a headband?
Buddy Hield struggled to hit six three-pointers during Wednesday's 107-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. His initial reaction was this:
"F--- the headband. No more headband. F--- that s---. I'll burn that s--- up next time I see one." -Buddy Hield after missing his first six 3-pointers while wearing a headband— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) November 13, 2019
Later on, he admitted it was more of a mental issue to NBC Sports California's Kayte Christensen-Hunter:
Talked with Buddy Hield tonight in the locker room and he told me his 1st quarter was nothing but a mental issue. Asked him about his right middle finger he gas taped. Told me he sprained it in practice in Toronto and just keeps reactivating it.— Kayte Christensen-Hunter (@kayte_c) November 13, 2019
Sports
He then said it still wasn't an excuse:
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Buddy also told me the finger is no excuse. Just part of the game. Says it went numb on him. Just have to play through it. https://t.co/OOpFLybNje— Kayte Christensen-Hunter (@kayte_c) November 13, 2019
Nonetheless, Hield managed to get 20 points by the end of the game. Don't be surprised if you see him without a headband for a while ... or ever.
