4. Jared Dudley (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jan. 25, 8:30 p.m.
During the 76ers playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets last season, no opponent got more under the skin of Sixers fans (and players) then Jared Dudley.
A journeyman, at best, at this stage of his career as a reserve forward, Dudley seemed to have decided he would be the ‘bad boy’ of the Nets and work to distract the more talented 76ers.
First, he went verbally after Ben Simmons, saying he was an ‘average player’ in a halfcourt game. Simmons was not thrilled with his assessment.
But his attacks became physical in Game 4, as he went after Joel Embiid and ended up getting ejected, along with Jimmy Butler, who had intervened on Embiid’s behalf. Of course, the Nets happily traded not having a benchwarmer like Dudley in return for the Sixers main playmaker, Butler, sitting as well (although the Sixers still pulled out the win).
In Game 5, the Sixers eliminated the Nets at the Center while the crowd lustily booed Dudley whenever he touched the ball.
In the offseason, Dudley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team Sixers fans already despise and have a long-time rivalry with.
Dudley will be ready to defend LeBron James or Anthony Davis if he feels the Sixers are getting too rough with them. You can be assured Mike Scott will step up if Dudley gets out of control.
Although the Sixers won the series easily over the Net despite Dudley’s antics, and he is now with a different team, there is no question that Sixers fans will remember what he did and greet him with one word: