“I have to take a step back to realize. Sometimes I just think about moving forward and taking the next step. But that’s something I learned after I left college, to enjoy being in the moment. It’s really surreal to be here, to wear these colors, to have USA written on your chest”.
Mikal Bridges appreciates the icing on the cake of its rich season at its fair value. Moved from Phoenix to Brooklyn where he took on a new dimension, the winger is taking full advantage of this great adventure that is coming with Team USA, launched to attack the World Cup.
After the first rally in Las Vegas, Steve Kerr’s men headed to Malaga in Spain and then Abu Dhabi to begin the final stage of their preparation for the World Cup. The challenge is daunting, but has enough to motivate Mikal Bridges, double NCAA champion with Villanova.
Mikal Bridges screamed against Spain
“Winning a title with your establishment, or with your city, is extraordinary. I haven’t done it yet, but winning an NBA title for your city is great too. But playing for your country is a whole other level. The amount of time you’re given to put together a group of guys who don’t necessarily know each other well and who only have six or seven weeks to go and win a title…man, that’s just amazing. That’s why I like it.” did he declare.
The Nets winger particularly enjoyed facing Spain on his home soil in Malaga, in a hostile atmosphere where the Americans were able to win thanks to a big last quarter (98-88). A victory that only reinforced Team USA in its convictions.
“Going to Spain, playing against Spain and coming back, with the crowd going wild. It was as if we were being challenged. “What are you going to do when the level goes up a notch?” »he added. “What separates good teams from great ones is what happens in adversity. I remember shouting on the pitch in Spain: “This is what we live for! “. That’s what I’m talking about when I talk about the joy of living this experience.
Team USA will challenge Greece in Abu Dhabi this Friday then Germany on Sunday, two last tests before starting the competition.
| Mikal Bridges | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 392 | 32 | 49.5 | 37.6 | 85.7 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 13.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
