LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers may have missed each other in the playoffs last year, but Lakers reserve Jared Dudley revealed in a new book that his team was ready for the “Battle for LA” because of Paul George.
“We hear some of those guys talk about how they are the team to beat in LA,” Dudley wrote, along with co-author Carvell Wallace, in their 42-page book, “Inside the NBA Bubble: A Championship Season under Quarantine. , “released this week. “It’s fine as Kawhi [Leonard] says things like that. He’s defending a championship. We don’t stumble when someone like Patrick Beverley talks nonsense; that’s how he feeds his family. We understand it. We respect the crowds.
“But we think it’s disrespectful for Paul George, who didn’t win, to put himself on the level of [LeBron James] and [Anthony Davis]. This motivates us. “
George, in an interview with NBA TV during the Clippers ‘media day last season, answered a reporter’s question who wondered if he and Leonard were the best duo in the league by saying,’ I think so. When you look at two guys playing on both ends, two guys who can go get a basket, two guys who can avoid getting a basket, elite on both sides, I don’t see how you can beat that. “
The Denver Nuggets figured out a way to do it, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to bounce the Clippers out of the Western Conference semi-finals and thwart a showdown between Lakers and Clippers.
When asked about the passage in the book on Wednesday, Dudley explained that it was more about how the Lakers interpreted what George said than about the content of his message, that the Lakers panicked.
“Anyone can say anything,” Dudley told reporters during a video conference after training. “It’s what we use as motivation. And sometimes if you ever remember Michael Jordan, all those things that he used as motivation for him. It wasn’t like they were wrong. That’s what I see.”
Dudley was asked if, as an accomplished role-player, he was hypocritical by calling out an All-Star like George, in much the same way George elevates himself in conversation with NBA champions when he’d never played in the Finals.
So, give me the right [to talk trash back]? I do not know. I don’t know what gives me the right. Fourteen years, 900 games, played with over 25 Hall of Famers. Future coach, future GM, I think I’ve put some work into where I could talk about it, ”said Dudley. Doesn’t mean what I’m saying is correct. “
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue sounded like he would agree with the part that Dudley was wrong.
‘A book? Jared Dudley? ‘ Lue asked before the Clippers played Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. “I know I probably can’t name names here so I won’t call it names, but who cares? Just be who you are, play your game, who cares what people say and what people think on the outside. As for me, I really don’t care what people on the outside say. And, you know, I hope PG doesn’t either. “
Dudley explained in the book that it wasn’t just George’s comments that got under the skin of the Lakers – adding that a boastful billboard campaign by Clippers was plastered across town, including one strategically placed near the highway leading to the practice facility of the Lakers also provided plenty of fuel. It was all too talked about for the Lakers’ liking.
“My comments were more about how we saw the motivation,” Dudley explained on Wednesday. “Paul George is a great player, an MVP candidate. That’s not to say what he said wasn’t wrong. But the difference is … how you see someone like LeBron and AD saying nothing. you what, we’ll find out who the king of LA is on court last year. ‘
The Clippers defeated the Lakers on opening night in December 116-109, in what Dudley hopes is a preview of an upcoming postseason meeting.
“I mean, the Clippers – if you asked me who we’re going to play against [last year], I thought we would play the Clippers in the Western Conference final. I expected them to be there, ”he said. I expect they will be there this year. They have the talent, they have the All-Stars, they have great coaching … and I think this is all part of basketball.
“I think the league needs it. The league needs us to play against the Clippers, the league needs us to play against Brooklyn. … We see them very much.”
Just not too high.
“We know that Lakers will always be … the Lakers LA,” Dirk declared. “That’s it. It will always be our city. The Clippers could win 10 championships and it still would be. [that way]. It’s history. It’s how it is. “
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.