Jared Dudley’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers is reportedly over after it was reported on Tuesday that the 14-year veteran is going to join Jason Kidd’s staff with the Dallas Mavericks. As soon as this news broke, many folks on the LA' twitter verse reacted angrily and it’s hard to blame them.
After 14 NBA seasons, Jared Dudley has agreed to a deal to become an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dudley will be a front of the bench assistant under new head coach Jason Kidd.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 24, 2021
Dudley wasn’t merely a benchwarmer for the Lakers in the past two seasons. He was the team’s glue guy and a vet who increased the IQ (an important factor for every basketball team) of the Lakers. He was considered the bridge between Frank Vogel and the roster. Dudley was often the one planning the team building activities and get-togethers for the team, which will surely be missed moving forward.
Well deserve https://t.co/fiLG05IdBB
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) August 24, 2021
That all said, here are four additional reasons why the Lakers not bringing him back was a mistake.
4. Lakers lose an important voice
When the Lakers were down (55-42) at halftime against the Warriors in the play-in tournament, it was Dudley and Markief Morris who motivated the team to get it together. According to LeBron James, the exact words of both veterans were “you gotta pick this shit up.” True enough, the Purple and Gold eventually caught up and won the vital game. This may be something so simple but it’s what Dudley has done so often. How many people does LeBron actually listen to?
Congrats to my guy if this true, which is probably is! But 🤦🏾♂️ man!! FUCK 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2021
3. Lakers lose another player that knows Vogel’s system
From the Lakers’ 2020 championship team, only four (James, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and Talen Horton Tucker) are left with this current squad. That 2020 team was special for Lakers fans because of their chemistry and ability of role players to be stars in their own roles. The amount of roster turnover the Lakers have done in the past two off seasons has been huge and could make Vogel’s job a little more difficult.
I been preparing this moment for a long time! From deep talks With Nash, Hill, Shaq, Bron, Booker, Beal, AD, Giannis the list goes on.. Very excited to Join the MAVS and JKidd staff! Perfect fit and opportunity… Time to get to work
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 24, 2021
This season, Vogel has his work cut out for him as he needs to get veterans like Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore and young role players like Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk accustomed to his system. On the bright side, at least Vogel has David Fizdale and Phil Handy on his side to help him.
"Best chemistry I've had with a team."@JaredDudley619 has nothing but praise for the #LakeShow. pic.twitter.com/KsV0qidgfi
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 14, 2020
1. Goodbye elite Lakers bench celebration
People poke fun at Dudz being the team’s cheerleader a lot, but whether they like to admit it or not, his bench celebrations were the best. It’s easy to overlook this and say that bench celebrations don’t matter. Sure, bench celebrations don’t win games but it’s still a chemistry builder—guys knowing that teammates support one another.
Jared Dudley Approved ✓
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/tDmSlAcVix
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 7, 2021
Bonus: Goodbye to the media’s favorite Laker
Jared Dudley is one of, if not the best players to interview because he often has no filter around reporters. He kept it real and told reporters stories they don’t hear from James and even Davis.
It was a delight to interview him because of his charismatic personality and humor. He gives the best quotes and was a positive player who always believed in his teammates.
"I don't think people understand how deep we are. I was starting playoff games last year now I'm 14th, 15th man." 🤣😂 @JaredDudley619 is a quote machine. @RealAClifton #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/rL71my1ycD
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 11, 2020
Thank you, Dudz!