On the last day of the last February trade deadline, Mikal Bridges was sent as part of a Kevin Durant trade all the way to the concrete jungles of New York, after years in the Arizona desert. Although the player wasn’t expecting it, he is now happier than ever after averaging 26.1 points per game in Brooklyn.
On the latest episode of “The Pivot Podcast” by hosts Channing Crowder, Ryan Clark, and Fred Taylor, Bridges spoke about the experience, making it impossible to avoid responding to Phoenix’s sudden firing of Monte Williams, one of the best coaches the series has had. Have you ever had.
Obviously, the player did not agree with Sun’s latest decision.
Mikal Bridges on Monty Williams shooting: ‘I’d say Monty isn’t the problem’ https://t.co/1u7JcEEUL2
– Phoenix Suns (@SUNSpeeps) May 22, 2023
“He’s going to get over it,” Bridges confirmed of his former coach. “He knows he’s a hell of a boss. He probably knows about the situation. Personally, I’d say Monty isn’t the problem, but who am I?”
If there’s one thing for sure in Mikal’s mind, it’s that Williams was one of the best things to ever happen to the Arizona Series. He added, “Monty isn’t the problem, but he’d be great somewhere else.” “You’ll get another chance and he’ll be fine.”
New Phoenix owner Matt Ichpeia has taken control of the franchise this year and has already put his stamp on management and organization, especially after bringing in Durant and releasing Williams.
Now that Bridges is miles away from the drama of his former team, he can focus on rebuilding a new basketball culture for the Nets, as they also went through a lot this past campaign.
He said, “I think Brooklyn had a lot going on, they had Keri and Harden and KD and then everything going on…”. “I think (the fans) were ready for the update, and I’m like the exact opposite guys. I’m just like the quieter and cooler. I don’t get stuck in anything, so I’m going to be happy all the time. So I was like, I knew I was going to be okay for sure.”
Bridges also shared why he believes young players struggle when they turn professional
The 26-year-old Bridges has not only become one of Brooklyn’s best players, but one of the most influential athletes in the NBA considering his active record for most consecutive games played in the league with 392 consecutive starts.
So, you could argue that he’s been a professional basketball player long enough to know why young talent struggles in the NBA, because he believes a lot has to do with money and fame.
“I think there are a lot of things,” Bridges confirmed. “People can be around and they’re not used to that fame. I feel like when people get it right, especially in the league, you feel like you don’t have to listen to anyone. And people are afraid to tell you some things to push you. So you can get away with a lot of things.” .
“Say you don’t make the playoffs, you don’t have to come back until September. So you have that long period of time. You’ve got all the money in the world. You can go anywhere you want, travel or have fun. I think sometimes work ashamed.”