#2010 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS SERIES#

Dudley proud to be back on the court after MCL injuryīecause of the serious injuries to superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Dudley’s MCL injury went somewhat under the radar.

There aren’t many people left in the league who got to experience the greatness of Kobe Bryant firsthand, but Dudley is one of them and he remembers that time vividly.

He has seen and experienced so much throughout his career and is very honest in his assessments which allows him to speak up when necessary and everyone listens. These experiences are what make Dudley such a respected and valuable member of the Lakers’ locker room today.

#2010 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS SERIES#

Bryant was in the zone and he knew it and smacking the butt of then-Suns coach Alvin Gentry after hitting the dagger to clinch the series was proof of. In that series, Bryant averaged 33.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 52.1% from the field and 43.2% from 3-point range. That Western Conference finals, he’s killing us all, then he’s smacking (Phoenix coach) Alvin Gentry’s butt, letting us know, ‘I’m on a different level than y’all.’ And he was.” As good as Steph (Curry) is at shot-making, with Kobe it was even more difficult with all the hands in his face. “It was the most intense series I’ve ever been a part of, and you really felt hopeless,” Dudley said. Dudley recently reflected on that series in an interview with Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group, saying that Bryant proved he was above anyone the Suns had to throw at him:

2010 western conference finals