Welcome back, Dudley
Former BC standout Jared Dudley is used to being the star. But in his first year with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dudley is getting a harsh taste of life in the NBA. After averaging 13.3 minutes per game in November and December, Dudley is averaging just 4.4 minutes in his last five games.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve been a little frustrated,” Dudley admitted before the game. “You know when you can help someone out so bad, and it’s just not your time.”
Dudley was asked what he needs to do differently to get playing time back.
“Obviously I stopped playing, so now your work ethic has to pick up,” he said. “When you’re playing, you can kind of slack off conditioning wise. Now when I’m not playing I have to do extra shooting. I’ve been doing a lot of cardio at home, lifting a lot more. The difference now is I’m in more of a routine. In college they make your routine. Now I have to make my own.”
Dudley said he didn’t necessarily agree with coach Sam Vincent’s reasoning for keeping him out.
“We had a meeting and he said, ‘We like what you’re doing. We thought we’d put a little pressure on you early,’” said Dudley. “It’s something that, I agree to disagree. I’m not someone who’s going to be a cancer. I don’t agree with it. But you support your teammates, whoever’s out there playing. There’s nothing else I can do.”
Dudley also had some advice for his alma mater, who is struggling through the early part of the college basketball season.
“My senior year we lost to Vermont early, and then Providence,” said Dudley. “And people counted us out. You really can’t do that too early.”
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