Jared Dudley on ESPN this morning

[abe5150]

Wednesday morning, May 27th

Bucks' Jared Dudley was on ESPN First Take and ESPN His and Hers this morning. I was impressed by him. He is well spoken and has good insight and has a future as an ex-jock analyst.

Stephen A and Skip asked Dudley specifically about Jason Kidd, a a coach they both admire greatly. Some highlhights from Dudley. Some of this is my own added "color" as to what Duds was trying to say.

(a) Dudley said how he was pleasantly surprised how Kidd is always calm and in control. Never gets too high or too low with his emotions. Skip asked directly if Kidd ever raises his voice and Dudley said "at times". But Duds also said Kidd doesn't like to raise his voice to get his point across.

So those of you hoping for a demonstrative, Stan Van Gundy type -- you won't see that out of Kidd. He was like that as a player. The only time I have seen Kidd totally "lose it" is when a player hits a game winning shot. Seen that both as a player and a coach.

(b) His emphasis is on defense. He will take guys out for not paying attention on defense. He wants more free-flowing and unstructured on offense but is not forgiving on defense.

(c) Kidd will hold guys accountable, from the best player to the worst. He is harder on the young guys like Jabari and Giannis, as he wants them to learn the right way and not develop bad habits.

This explains those mysterious times when Giannis did not play. He was benched on purpose, most likely for bad defensive play.

(d) Kidd and his assistants are "gym rats", practically sleeping at the practice facility.


Stephen A said that while Kidd has a brilliant basketball mind, he was shocked how well he did as a coach in Milwaukee. And he asked if it was more than just his natural ability to connect with players as a recent ex-player. He asked about play calling, etc.

(e) Contrary to popular belief, Kidd does draw up plays. The game winner against the Bulls was a pass from Dudley, who said that Kidd drew up that play.

(f) Set the tone early on with his expectations. Especially Jabari and Giannis, as they are the future of the franchise.

(g) Again went to accountability. Not afraid to take guys out after 2-3 minutes, Greg Popp style. Instructed for Giannis to stop bricking 3's at 10% and focus on other areas of his game first. Or he would not play.

[Licensed to Il]

If anyone has 5 minutes and wants some laughs, like slam magazine on facebook, then read the comment section on the link about Dud's quote about player's not wanting to play with Kobe. I promise you, its like reading a forumn of the dumbest basketball fans on the earth!

[drew881]

Anything about his contract status? I doubt Steven and Skip even know anything about this, but worth asking.

[Serge28]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SSdIq6-Nkc[/youtube]

Really worth a watch. Love how Dudley comes off - candid, intelligent, and articulate.

[Sky High]

I'll be Youtubin' all of his ESPN spots tonight. Always great having a Bucks player in the National Spotlight. Dudley is the perfect guy to make the rounds at ESPN representing our team and city. He's just a very down to earth, knowledgable and cool guy. He'll have an amazing career in the media after retiring from the NBA.

[ClassicJack]

[quote="drew881"]Anything about his contract status? I doubt Steven and Skip even know anything about this, but worth asking.[/quote]


Not much specifically. He just said he is 80-90% sure he would be returning to the Bucks and that he does want to return to continue to help the young guys develop but this is a business so you never really know.

[tski1972]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SSdIq6-Nkc[/youtube]

Really worth a watch. Love how Dudley comes off - candid, intelligent, and articulate.

not hard to do when you consider the company.

[HurricaneKid]

He also spoke ill of Melo, Kobe, etc. On one hand, I appreciate hearing the thoughts of players. But mostly, I can see Kobe and Melo resting up for a week to crush the Bucks next year.

[ReasonablySober]

A little odd he didn't give a definitive answer on being back. He's the one who controls his destiny on that front. Leaving the door open to opting out is interesting.

[machu46]

A little odd he didn't give a definitive answer on being back. He's the one who controls his destiny on that front. Leaving the door open to opting out is interesting.

I always got the impression that he would opt out and take less if we wanted him to and that it's basically up to us to tell him if we want him back or not, but that's just me reading tea leaves from what he's said.

[Buck Dweller]

If anyone has 5 minutes and wants some laughs, like slam magazine on facebook, then read the comment section on the link about Dud's quote about player's not wanting to play with Kobe. I promise you, its like reading a forumn of the dumbest basketball fans on the earth!

Oh, I got plenty of that on the NBA subreddit. Angry Lakers fans left and right.

[M-C-G]

A little odd he didn't give a definitive answer on being back. He's the one who controls his destiny on that front. Leaving the door open to opting out is interesting.

Probably opting in as a back up plan? If we are offering a 2 year 7M deal, probably weighing his options of opting in and becoming a free agent next year?

[Treebeard]

A little odd he didn't give a definitive answer on being back. He's the one who controls his destiny on that front. Leaving the door open to opting out is interesting.

Given his lackluster performance for much of the second half of the season, his agent may be scrabbling a bit to find a better offer. I'll give Dudley a nagging injury mulligan on a lot of that performance drop off, but that has to concern other GM's too.

Dudley's probably just leaving the door open a crack for his agent to keep working on a longer term deal.

[Bucks_MacGyver]

Anything about his contract status? I doubt Steven and Skip even know anything about this, but worth asking.

Not much specifically. He just said he is 80-90% sure he would be returning to the Bucks and that he does want to return to continue to help the young guys develop but this is a business so you never really know.

they asked him on sportscenter about his contract he pretty much repeated everything hes said on the articles. Saying at age 29 he thinks his value in the NBA is to be a veteran leader to help young players and says Jabari and Giannis are the franchise and he thinks his value is to help them lead this team.

[Licensed to Il]

There were more than one comments about how Dudley should beg for an opportunity to play with a champion like Kobe. And there was much talk of rings.

I find it ironic when people choose to believe the narrative that Kobe is a champion because he is more focussed than any other player has ever been. He has lived a life of genetic and economic privilege... His ego broke up a dynasty pairing with Shaq... Phil tried to trade him on several occasions because he is so selfish... And he signed for the max in his twilight which is cool for him but exchanged any hope of winning with one last big payday. So the notion that he is the ultimate competitor and champion is probably based more in nike commercials than on reality.

[Cold Crush 24]

Dudz locking up his post NBA broadcasting career. Love how candid he is.

[MadBlueEdwards]

I want Jared Dudley to be my best friend.

[Newz]

He also spoke ill of Melo, Kobe, etc. On one hand, I appreciate hearing the thoughts of players. But mostly, I can see Kobe and Melo resting up for a week to crush the Bucks next year.

I hope Kobe tries to crush us. I'm pretty sure that would be him tossing up 30 shots, making about 35% of them and screaming at his teammates.

[DutchManDanFan]

I'll be Youtubin' all of his ESPN spots tonight.

For this: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi1tnG4r024[/youtube]?

[Prez]

Lmao at SAS's Bogut hate. Dude doesn't even try to be objective.