Buddy Hield Thought Gladiator Maximum Was Real Until Rome Guide Destroyed His Illusion

For a player who’s made a living off pinpoint accuracy from beyond the arc, this was one shot he clearly didn’t see coming. Like many fans of Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic Gladiator, Hield had been swept up in the legend of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the vengeful general-turned-gladiator portrayed by Russell Crowe. 

The image of Maximus fighting in the Roman Colosseum became so iconic that it blurred the line between history and Hollywood for Hield and likely many others. But the Roman tour guide didn’t flinch. 

Back in reality, Hield is preparing for a pivotal second year with the Warriors. After joining Golden State last season, the veteran guard posted solid numbers: 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 41.7% from the field and 37.0% from deep. His role as a floor-spacer has been especially valuable for a team still revolving around the gravitational pull of Stephen Curry.

Perhaps more underrated has been his chemistry with Jimmy Butler, a pairing that has surprised some observers with how naturally it clicked on and off the floor. Whether the Warriors run it back with this core or look to shake things up in pursuit of one more title push, Hield's name may surface in trade talks. 

His $37 million, four-year contract is seen as team-friendly, especially given his elite three-point volume and efficiency. Contenders across the league are always on the hunt for shooters, and Hield fits that bill as well as anyone.

But for now, Hield is soaking up life, learning history even if painfully, and preparing for another run with the Warriors. The Maximus moment might’ve been a brief ego bruise, but it also highlighted something deeper about Hield: he’s still a fan of stories, still moved by myth, and still finding joy in the game and world around him.

In a league often obsessed with branding and filters, Buddy Hield’s genuine reaction to discovering that Maximus wasn’t real is refreshingly human. After all, if Gladiator can fool an NBA vet into screaming in the Colosseum, maybe it really did win Best Picture for a reason.