PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 23: Jared Dudley #6 of the Brooklyn Nets warms prior to Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Former Brooklyn Nets small forward Jared Dudley defends the organization on how they approach players’ injuries.

The largest issue for the Brooklyn Nets thus far in the 2019-20 campaign has arguably been their health. The team has had players such as Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert succumb to longterm injuries. Superstar forward Kevin Durant may not even play at all this year due to his ruptured Achilles.

But recently, the Nets returned one of their impact players in LeVert. Having sat out since November due to thumb surgery, the veteran shooting guard took part in Saturday’s loss to the Raptors. He only played 16 minutes though, which was far less than his previous 31.4 minutes-per-game average. His limited playing time and the overall process the Nets use to approach players’ injuries prompted a Twitter user to criticize the organization.

Nonetheless, former Nets small forward Jared Dudley came to the ballclub’s defense.

Criticizing “load management” isn’t uncommon. Many use it to argue how the NBA has become “softer” in recent years. They introduce facts like how Kawhi Leonard has already missed 10 games this year but Michael Jordan in his final season (39 going on 40 years old) played in all 82.

Nonetheless, Brooklyn shouldn’t have overdone it in LeVert’s return. The last thing this organization needs is for his prior setback to reaggravate him.

Dudley spent just one season with the Nets, portraying his talents for them during the 2018-19 campaign. During that time, he averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists through 59 games (20.7 minutes-per-game).

He’s since moved out West to join the highly-talented Los Angeles Lakers.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.