Kobe Bryant’s career may be on the back end, but he’s still a lightning rod for controversy.
Bucks forward Jared Dudley says he doesn’t expect to see any superstars flocking to the Lakers as long as No. 24 is still around. “Most guys don’t want to play with Kobe,” Dudley told ESPN's Colin Cowherd.
“He gets in this thing where he doesn’t pass and then overpasses and then tries to get triple doubles every night … that’s why I think it will be a while for the Lakers to get good because they’ve got no stars.”
There may be something to Dudley’s claim. Bryant averaged 20.4 shots per game this season, slightly more than his average of 19.6 a game for his career. Bryant, 36, played in 35 games this season before being shelved with a shoulder injury.
That volume of shooting is why Dudley doesn’t see a guy like Kevin Love playing with Bryant on the Lakers.
“I’d be surprised if Love wanted to go there,” Dudley said.
Dudley also took a shot at Carmelo Anthony, when asked who the most overrated player in the NBA is.
“He’s viewed as a top-five player," Dudley said. "He has the talent to be able to facilitate. He has the talent to make guys better and the triangle should fit him — he’s just got to make other guys better. Defensively he has to take it the next level up. He’s got to get out of the first, second round. He’s got to get that the team to the playoffs. With that roster, LeBron would’ve been an eight seed. He’s not LeBron."