Buddy Hield’s Disappointment at the Colosseum

Buddy Hield, guard for the Golden State Warriors, had an underwhelming experience during his visit to the Colosseum in Rome. He was there after playing in an NBA Summer League game, where the Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz 103-93. Yet, it was his comments about the historical site that sparked some attention online.

During an ESPN broadcast, Hield shared his feelings about the Colosseum, mentioning his letdown after seeing it. “I was a bit disappointed because I saw ‘Gladiator’ and thought Maximus was a real warrior,” he admitted. He recounted that he even shouted “Maximus!” while at the site, only to be informed by his tour guide that he wasn’t a real person.

For context, “Gladiator” came out in 2000 and won an Oscar, grossing over $465 million. Hield also expressed his thoughts on the sequel, “Gladiator 2,” saying he didn’t consider it better than the original, which starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.

As Hield prepares for his second season with the Warriors—having joined as part of a six-team deal with the Philadelphia 76ers—he averaged 11.1 points per game last season, mostly coming off the bench.

Hield began his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, later moving to the Sacramento Kings, and then played for the Indiana Pacers. Notably, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie team early in his career.