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For Jared Dudley "Fan Connection" is a Career Strategy

Jared Dudley's use of twitter is all part of his plan to help him stay in the league. Photo by Max Simbron

No player has jumped on the twitter-wagon as fast and as hard as fast as Phoenix Suns reserve forward Jared Dudley (aka @JaredDudley619). Jared has aggressively put himself out there interacting with fans during both scheduled live twitter chats and also engaging in back and forth banter on a regular basis.

Yesterday, I tweeted the fun fact that Dudley was leading the NBA in steals per game. He "retweeted" that little tidbit which drew a friendly admonishment from the LA Time's basketball journalist J.A. Adande, "@JaredDudley619 You cant retweet your own stats!"

Jared in his usual playful style fired right back, "why not lol I might not ever lead the NBA in anything again lmao$"

Anyone who's listened to Jared's rapid fire style of speaking and seen his quick wit in action and can instantly see why twitter is such a great format for him but I suspected there was a little more to it than that.

After the Suns shoot around today I asked JD about the Jared Dudley brand, "So what I'm trying to do is brand my name and also pump our team up. A lot my stuff has to do with the Suns fans interacting...That helps your brand and also lets people see your personality outside of basketball."

Even though he's going into this season with an established role on the team and expects to play every night, Jared understand the more he can do to connect with fans the more valuable he will be to his team. And that will certainly help his career, "In the NBA and NFL they want guys that are good character guys. And you see guys that play 10 to 12 years and you see how they do it. They don't get in trouble, they're good around the community and they're good locker room guys and that's what I am trying to do."

Last season Jared quickly became a fan favorite for his on the court hustle and his smart play. Now in his first full year with the Suns he's looking to take that to another level by combining his active defense and occasional offense with his natural out-going personality.

Suns fans are in for a real treat with Jared which is all part of his plan to help him stay in the league.

There are a lot of talented guys at his position looking to take those minutes. Jared clearly understands that what he brings to the team off the court can certainly compliment was he's doing in the game.

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Jared, put the phone down...

…and work on trying to develop a consistent jumpshot

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Oct 16, 2009 3:56 PM MDT reply actions  

How do you know so much about swallows?

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Oct 16, 2009 5:36 PM MDT up reply actions  

Monty Python? … anyone? … . . . …anyone? …

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Oct 17, 2009 1:31 AM MDT up reply actions  

Fail.

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Oct 28, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions  

Yes it is

But its working…and he puts that same amount of work and effort on the court. Yeah, he does need to develop a better shot, but its not bad for the amount of minutes he gets and the work he does on the other end of the floor. No complaints from me.

by KnowGood on Oct 16, 2009 4:28 PM MDT reply actions  

It can be a strategy

but it’s not something that’s in everyone’s toolbox. Just see how Ron Artest is doing with his twitter accounts.

I remember seeing a video of Dudley giving a tour around the Bobcats facility during his rookie year, and I already thought to myself, “he seems to be a genuine and likeable guy.” You know that there are people who just can’t say something right even if they try to. Again, see Ron Artest.

by gadogry on Oct 16, 2009 6:30 PM MDT reply actions  

yeah that's a great point

Jared is just one of those guys…a natural communicator. Well, that might not be the best word since he can be hard to understand when he gets to talking so fast which is pretty much anytime he talks.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Oct 16, 2009 7:37 PM MDT up reply actions  

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