Milwaukee Bucks forward Jared Dudley is a refreshingly candid interview subject, and he didn't pull any punches when he appeared on ESPN's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on Wednesday. Dudley, who has played with guys like Steve Nash and Chris Paul, said what most players won't say on the record about Kobe Bryant:

Dudley: I think right now, the way Kobe is, especially getting hurt — even Jordan, if you see Jordan when he played with the Wizards, he started toning it down a little bit, he knew he didn’t have it — Kobe’s the opposite. Kobe, he wants to show everyone so much. I mean, I remember seeing Kobe, I think it was like 70 games in, he had outshot the whole Lakers team by like 100 shots. Come on now, Kobe. We love you, Kobe, but come on. It’s like, it’s now time to start giving it up. I think most guys don’t want to play with him. For the most part, he’s such, like, a huge personality and a killer that, I mean —

Cowherd: He doesn’t have that throttle to say, ‘It’s time to step back.’

Dudley: Right. And that’s tough for guys. And for him, obviously being one of the greats. And also, when he wants to, the worst thing about it is he can. Remember, you know, Kobe gets in this thing where he doesn’t pass and then he overpasses and he’s trying to get triple-doubles every night. So we know you have it. It’s just not something he wants to do. And that’s why I think that it will be a while for the Lakers to get good. ‘Cause no stars I mean [Kevin] Love, I’ll be surprised — even when people say Love, I’d be surprised if Love wanted to go there.

Dudley also said that Kevin Love would validate the criticisms of him if he left the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency, praised Houston Rockets guard James Harden for the way he involves his shooters and called Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph the most underrated player in the NBA. Cowherd then asked him who the most overrated player is, a question that most NBAers would deflect in half a second. Dudley didn't hesitate with his answer: Carmelo Anthony.

Dudley: Most overrated, I would say Carmelo. Carmelo. I would say Carmelo. The reason why I say Carmelo is because Carmelo is viewed as a top-five player. He’s viewed in the NBA as top-five … Carmelo, he has the talent to be able to facilitate. The triangle should fit him, where he’s gotta make guys better. And defensively he’s gotta take another step, take the next level up. But you know, Carmelo, until, you gotta get out, he’s gotta get out of the first, second round. He’s gotta get his team to the playoffs. LeBron, with that roster, as bad as it is, LeBron would have got ‘em to the playoffs. They would’ve been at least the eighth seed. And he’s not LeBron, he doesn’t have to be. Well, he’s gotta —

Cowherd: He’s gotta close the gap a a little.

Dudley: Yes. He does.

Players sometimes struggle with being critical when they become analysts, but Dudley could easily step right into a broadcasting job when he's done in the NBA if he wants to. Unfortunately, though, he's that he'd have more fun becoming a college coach. In the meantime, it'll be interesting when he goes up against the Lakers and Knicks next season. Lakers fans are already rather upset, and Dudley has had to clarify his comments:

Jared Dudley speaks his mind. (USATSI)
Jared Dudley speaks his mind. (USATSI)