Brooklyn Nets: As last year’s veteran leaders leave, what is lost?

Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley is probably the most unusual veteran out of the bunch. He started as a hated acquisition by the Brooklyn Nets. Many remember his tweet from 2012 that seemed to undermine the Nets.

That definitely rubbed many the wrong way. Others just never cared for the veteran’s non-athletic YMCA style of play, dismissing him as a lower-tier player. But throughout the season he seemed to win fans over.

Jared Dudley is by no means seen as a tough guy in the NBA, but he played hard and did not back down from the opposition. He was one of the very few players to match the overly physical tone set by the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs.

And more than that, he was a key part of the team. Although the series ultimately ended in five games and wasn’t really competitive, the difference in play with him present and absent was almost painstakingly clear.

Jared quickly embraced Brooklyn, even as Brooklyn took its time warming up to him. Jared and the youth quickly built a bond, seemingly more so than with Ed Davis and DeMarre Carroll. Jared would often turn back the clock just to participate in bench celebrations.

Dudley is constantly on Twitter supporting his teammates. He is always endorsing the organization and even said he’d be shocked if we weren’t in the discussion with big-name free agents. On the court, he was always shrewd and sly.

I do not think the Nets have found something to replace exactly what it is that Jared Dudley brings. With him it is so much more than on-court production. He reportedly met with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, but is interested and would very much like to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets.

It is unlikely anyone would really be opposed to the move.

He’d be a great person to help make sure the culture is maintained while also being a good depth piece with a good 3-point shot.