Mikal Bridges was a revelation for the Nets last season. This year, he’s ready to do even more.
After being traded to Brooklyn in the February deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns, Bridges emerged as a go-to scorer for a retooling Nets team that desperately needed one. He scored 26.1 points over 27 games — nearly nine points more than he ever averaged in Phoenix.
Already lauded for his defensive versatility, Bridges further demonstrated his offensive ability by scoring 13.6 points per game during this summer’s FIBA World Cup, good for third on Team USA.
Last week, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn shared plans to put more on Bridges’ plate this season — a responsibility the 6-7 forward embraces.
“It’s a new role, and personally, I think I can fulfill it and succeed in it, just who I am as a person,” Bridges said Monday during the Nets’ media day.
“[I’m] willing to take every bullet and losing, take the blame, I’m ready for all that. … Who wouldn’t want this? Who wouldn’t want this type of pressure, this type of expectations? If you really love the game and you really wanna be the best you can be as a player, you would want this type of feel where, OK, you’re the main guy … and everything is on your shoulders.”
The two-way Bridges, 27, was a key piece on the Suns team that advanced to the 2021 NBA Finals, but he was rarely more than the fourth scoring option behind Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
He became more of an offensive focal point for the Suns last season — his fifth with Phoenix — averaging 17.2 points over 56 games before being sent to the Nets.
This season, Bridges hopes to rise to another level.
“Offensively, just being able to do what I do, scoring the ball and passing, facilitating, getting everybody involved, that’s something great for me, which I gotta get better at but know that I have,” Bridges said. “Hearing from the coach to know what he wants helps. … Defensively, just still be at the level how I defend. And rebounding, I think that’s another big aspect for us, being one of the worst rebounding teams, and I know I can be better. Just doing a lot more, which is great.”
Among those expecting big things from Bridges are longtime teammate Cam Johnson, who was also part of the package the Nets received from Phoenix in the Durant deal.
Johnson, who also played for Team USA at the World Cup, says Bridges is “willing to put in the work every day.”
“He commits himself to getting better, he identifies where he wants to improve on and you just watch over time, you can see such a natural progression of skill, of the ability to change games, take over games, score when necessary,” Johnson said Monday.
“Earlier in his career, he was really a predominantly off-ball, cutting guy, and the three, the [mid-range jumper], getting to the basket, all those things start adding in. Pick-and-rolls, you saw a lot more of that right before the trade, and then a lot more that come here … It’s not a matter of ‘OK, I’m good. I’m here.’ He’s going to put in the work.”
The Nets approach their Oct. 25 season opener with less attention than the recent teams that featured superstars in Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Bridges is fine with flying under the radar, though he knows winning games could help him earn his first All-Star nod.
“I can’t sit here and lie and be like I never want to be an All-Star,” Bridges said. “But that’s just something that’s not on my mind. I think it just all happens with good things. You got to feel like if you play well, we win, that opportunity is there.”
JOHNSON DEALING WITH HAMSTRING
The Nets will be without Johnson to start training camp after the sharpshooter suffered a left hamstring strain, but the forward doesn’t consider the injury serious.
“Just something I felt, end of last week,” Johnson said Monday. “It happened, we’re addressing it, rehabbing it. I’ll be good. Nothing too crazy.”
Johnson, a career 39.3% three-point shooter, expects to play at some point during the preseason. He averaged 16.6 points over 25 games, all starts, with the Nets last season.
