Mikal Bridges likes to lead, which is exactly what he will do for Nets
Nets forward Mikal Bridges shoots a free throw during training camp at the Nets HSS Training Center on Oct. 3. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
As a kid, Mikal Bridges often hosted friends growing up in Philadelphia. That meant it was his call to coordinate group activities or let them know what time his mother was picking everyone up.
He’d also get peppered with questions on what the plan was for that day. Years later, he sees how it helped prepare him for the role he’d smoothly slide into after being traded to the Nets last season.
“It was always like, what we doing, what we doing,” Bridges told Newsday. “So I think just like a little part, just growing up and having that type of role helped.”
Bridges’ star turn with the Nets — he averaged 26.1 points per game in 27 regular season games — brought more respect this offseason. He guested on podcasts with Clippers forward Paul George and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark. He started every game for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup and became one of the best players.
Not bad for someone who, before February, hadn’t been a No. 1 option on a team since high school. Yet it’s something that Bridges is comfortable with after winning two national championships at Villanova and helping the Suns reach the 2021 Finals.
At Nets Media Day, Bridges talked up wanting the pressure of having everything on his shoulders. It’s not just growing as a player and person, but a reflection how he was raised to prepare for this moment.
Some of that came from planning things for his friends. A different burden, sure, than scoring a clutch basket or getting a defensive stop. But the same mindset of “It’s on me, I got this” that helped make him a valuable two-way player.
“I think it’s more effective to do whatever it takes to win and taking the consequences of losing and be able to man up,” Bridges said. “Obviously be mad or frustrated but to own it, take the blame and be ready for the next one.”
Jay Wright, Bridges' former coach at Villanova, wasn’t surprised he’s ready for a bigger role. At Villanova, Bridges put his skills to use studying his teammates and honing his feel for what was needed in a given moment.
Part of it was his high basketball IQ, Wright said. Part of it came learning the hard way whether it was fierce practice battles with Josh Hart or playing alongside Jalen Brunson and Ryan Arcidiacono.
“He redshirted his first year and spent a lot of time getting stronger. So he was matched with Ryan and Jalen [Brunson], who were outstanding leaders,” said Wright, now an analyst with CBS Sports. “He didn’t need to be the leader but he made them great leaders because he was quietly a leader without the title.”
Villanova guard Mikal Bridges watches from the bench during the first half against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament Final Four on March 31, 2018, in San Antonio. Credit: AP
Even as Brunson earned national player of the year honors in 2017-18, Bridges had just as much impact helping Villanova win the national championship that year. It served him well starting his NBA career in Phoenix.
With Devin Booker and Chris Paul, Bridges saw two different examples of leadership. He studied them both as Booker led by example and Paul was more vocal.
“I don't sit there and note everything they do but I think it’s just naturally like a sponge,” Bridges said. “I’m just around them so much I just watch. I’m a pretty smart guy so I'm just around them and see the things they do. You’re there all those years, you're gonna know one person in and out.”
Paul, in turn, appreciated Bridges’ work ethic. When Paul showed up early to work out, before practice, Bridges would be at the facility too. It impressed Paul, who values teammates that are early risers like him, and led him to offer Bridges tips to round out his game.
“I learned that real quick that Mikal was about his business and he was a pro,” Paul said. “He said things here and there but you could tell he was trying to figure out who he was as a player. And so he sort of just let his play do the talking. As he got more and more comfortable and more confident, he started to talk more, and I think it helped our team actually.”
Paul wasn’t surprised Bridges took his game to the next level with the Nets. He encouraged Bridges to be a better ball-handler and saw the work he put with Suns player development assistant Corey Vinson, now a Nets assistant.
He believes the sky is the limit to what Bridges could do over a full season.
“Had that trade to Brooklyn happened a year earlier or something like that, he may not have been ready to do what he’s doing now,” Paul said. “So I think everything was timing and it happened at the perfect time.”
With Team USA, Bridges combined the best of what he learned before the Nets and what showed in Brooklyn. Some games, he focused on defense while Anthony Edwards led in scoring. Against Italy, Bridges led the way with 24 points.
U.S. forward Mikal Bridges gestures during the FIUBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinal against Italy at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, on Sept. 5. Credit: AP
He ended World Cup play with an improbable buzzer-beating three-pointer to force overtime against Canada after chasing down his own missed free throw.
The tournament didn’t just give Bridges more confidence, but also motivation after the United States failed to medal. That, besides playing alongside players like Brunson and Josh Hart again, gave him an extra push to be comfortable being more vocal once training camp started.
“I wouldn't say pressure but it’s just a different type of expectation, different type of lock-in mentality to have,” Bridges said of his Team USA experience. “So just having that coming in this year and also losing. Obviously, I won't walk around here pouting … but it’s always there in the back of my head, didn’t get what I want.”
It’s the edge needed after a summer receiving praise. With Bridges settled in his role, it’s a culmination of what he learned planning for friends and playing alongside leaders like Brunson, Booker and Paul.
Now it’s his time to lead. Just like when his friends looked to him to make plans, the Nets will look to him on the court. For those who know Bridges, they’re glad while knowing he’s still eager to prove himself ready for that challenge.
“He’s going to continue working,” said Cameron Johnson, Bridges' teammate since 2019-20. “It's not a matter of 'OK, I'm good, I'm here.’ Nah, he's going to put in the work. Every day I've been around him, this is what he's been about.
“So he's definitely capable of continuing that momentum that he built up toward the end of last year and taking it into some really positive things.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
