Back on a very ambitious Knicks team, alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and now Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges didn't move very far, since he's from Brooklyn.
But the former Suns winger admits that the last season with the Nets was particularly difficult to live with…
“Yes, it was hard in Brooklyn, because we were losing. Even personally, I think I didn't handle it as well as I could have.” he admits. “I have always advocated mental strength and always maintaining morale. But it's something I've never had to deal with. It was difficult overall, for the team as a whole when I was there, but also the general expectations, and I didn't handle it as well as I should have. »
Used to winning in the NCAA (double university champion with Villanova in 2016 and 2018), Mikal Bridges had certainly started his career in a Phoenix team at the bottom of the hole, but he quickly returned to the top.
A leader's costume that's too big
Transferred to Brooklyn in exchange for Kevin Durant, after having participated in the Suns' epic journey to the Finals in 2021, the winger was therefore propelled into leader among the Nets. A suit too big for him, and he is therefore satisfied to find a role of lieutenant with his former teammate with the Wildcats, in the NCAA.
“I know how he (Jalen Brunson) plays and he knows how I play. The alchemy will be there » he assures, delighted to find a rich workforce. “Coming here is nice. Everyone is focused and motivated. Coach (Thibodeau) keeps everyone motivated. So it’s great to be here.”
By finding the role of lieutenant.
“When there are two All-Stars like that (Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns), that’s the way it is. It will definitely open up the game.” And undoubtedly allow him to regain his effectiveness, as he hopes.
| Mikal Bridges | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 82 | 30 | 43.0 | 33.5 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 8.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 73 | 28 | 51.0 | 36.1 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 9.1 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 72 | 33 | 54.3 | 42.5 | 84.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 13.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 82 | 35 | 53.4 | 36.9 | 83.4 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 14.2 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 83 | 36 | 46.8 | 38.2 | 89.5 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 * | PHX | 56 | 36 | 46.3 | 38.7 | 89.7 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 27 | 34 | 47.5 | 37.6 | 89.4 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 82 | 35 | 43.6 | 37.2 | 81.4 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 19.6 |
| Total | 474 | 33 | 48.0 | 37.5 | 84.6 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 14.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
