After 14 years of playing in the NBA, Jared Dudley called time on his basketball career. Dudley entered the league in 2007, joining the Charlotte Bobcats. Since then, he bounced around to several teams serving as a role player.
His most successful stint was with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won an NBA Championship in 2020.
During his stint with the Lakers, Dudley was one of the last few rotation players on the team. He very rarely got minutes and was considered more of a culture guy than a significant option.
Dudley was in the latter stages of his career at the time and was with the Lakers to provide leadership, mentoring, and veteran experience to the Lakers roster.
Dudley had become a fan favorite for the Lakers and was one of the most loved respected guys on the team. While Dudley very rarely played, he was a key part of their team off the court.
Now, Dudley has joined former Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd in Dallas, where he will serve as part of his coaching staff with the Mavericks.
Given his tenured experience in the NBA and in winning a championship, Dudley will bring a great edge to Kidd’s coaching staff in the upcoming season.
One person who isn’t too happy about Dudley retiring and joining the Mavericks’ coaching staff is LeBron James. James and Dudley had built a friendship during their time together with the Lakers.
LeBron understood how valuable Dudley was to the franchise, and his reaction on Twitter is the best example of that.
LeBron reacted to a Twitter post that broke the news of Dudley’s retirement and new coaching venture.
He said he was happy for his friend Dudley, but lamented the fact that he wouldn’t be with the Lakers anymore, for reasons he said outsiders wouldn’t understand.
“Congrats to my guy if this true, which is probably is! But man!! F*CK”
“Excuse my language but still one hurt!! For many reasons that you wouldn’t understand.”
Congrats to my guy if this true, which is probably is! But 🤦🏾♂️ man!! FUCK 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2021
*this
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2021
The Lakers have seen a dramatic shift in their roster this season. Other than LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Marc Gasol, the entire squad has been revamped.
The arrival of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard is in pursuit of yet another championship next season. The Lakers are all-in on LeBron and AD’s potential to win another title.
