Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley admitted some pretty spicy details of how they reacted when the L.A. Clippers failed to advance to the Western Conference Finals in the 2020 NBA playoffs. Dudley said the Lakers laughed when they saw the Clippers get eliminated, preventing what many anticipated to be a blockbuster Battle of L.A. in the WCF.
A fan who saw the comments believes the veteran has a personal vendetta against Doc Rivers, whom Dudley played for as a member of the Clippers in 2013-14. Dudley, however, refuted the idea, saying that the previous comments on the 59-year old mentor were the past.
It was at one time, not anymore .. That team is a totally different now.. New owner, organization, and new players.. My comments are based on everything I saw https://t.co/FDYlQS5g86
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) October 17, 2020
For context, the 35-year old did not appreciate the way Rivers and the Clippers medical staff mishandled his injury situation back in his short stint with the Clippers. To recall, Dudley was nursing a knee injury in the preseason. But because the Clippers were short-handed to begin the season, with JJ Redick and Matt Barnes out as well with their respective injuries, Dudley was forced to play hurt, which then affected the way he played that season.
Nonetheless, as 13-year veteran said, that's in the past. Now, Dudley is an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, Rivers is no longer with the Clippers after the two sides reportedly agreed to part ways. The one-time champion coach has since joined the Philadelphia 76ers as their new head coach.
A lot has also changed with the Clips organization since that time. The Clippers, despite flaming out in the playoffs this year, are one of the better run organizations in the league and still figure to remain as one of the top contenders next season. They are under a new ownership group and recently just welcomed a new head coach in Ty Lue to replace Rivers.
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