Jared Dudley steps into leadership role
Sep 14, 2012, 11:55 PM | Updated: Sep 15, 2012, 1:21 am
The Phoenix Suns underwent a considerable roster makeover this summer.
Gone are veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill, leaving not only a void with talent, but also leadership.
Enter Jared Dudley, who is now the longest-tenured member of the team at three-and-a-half years.
A guest of Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Friday, the 27-year-old small forward said he’s always thought of himself as a leader.
“But just a different type of leader,” Dudley said of his time when Nash and Hill were around. “Steve is a positive guy, where he’s always positive, high-fiving.
“I’m more of a vocal leader. During the timeouts I talk more than Steve and Grant. On the plan, on the bus, I’m just more talkative as a person.”
Dudley said he’ll have to change things some now that he’s going to be looked at as the leader.
“Doing stuff the right way 100 percent of the time,” Dudley said. “Come in to practice early. Grant Hill used to get to practice three hours before, I would get there an hour.