After the All-Star break, Mikal Bridges struggled to score for the Nets. It was an issue, given his status as a go-to scorer. Despite the struggles, Brooklyn did not panic because everyone within the organization knew what Mikal was capable of.
Bridges’ biggest supporter is his “Twin” and long-time teammate Cameron Johnson. The former North Carolina Tar Heel had no doubts about Mikal’s confidence as the Nets’ go-to scorer, especially without a healthy Cameron Thomas.
“Chatter, all that stuff’s background noise, man. He’s a professional. He shows up every day, doesn't miss a practice, doesn't miss a game, and people wanna talk about a couple of missed shots,” Cam Johnson said after the second win against Atlanta. “He’s played 400/500 straight games. A lot of credit to him, he don’t let it bother him.”
The Nets need Mikal to keep playing with confidence
With the 38-point performance, Mikal showcased what can happen when he builds his rhythm and gets the opportunity. Without Thomas, Bridges is the de facto top scorer, but getting defended well should not be an excuse to be inefficient. The 27-year-old can affect the game in other ways, as he can make off-ball cuts and go through screens to get open looks.
Interim head coach Kevin Ollie ensured Mikal got those looks by running set plays for him. That helped Mikal get the confidence he needed to keep scoring, as Brooklyn won against Atlanta because of Bridges’ 38 points, which involved off-ball threes, back cuts, and isolation plays.
Brooklyn is in good hands with Mikal
Having Mikal as a franchise cornerstone is a blessing for Brooklyn because they have a reliable wing player who could score and defend at a high level. The former Villanova Wildcat is committed to the Nets project since the front office sees him as a player who can entice other stars to join Brooklyn.
Aside from the organization’s valuation, Mikal is a valuable presence in the locker room. He is a vocal leader who is willing to keep everyone in check. Having this kind of player can lead to great things for the Nets, as long as they can build a team with him as a vital piece.
A confident Mikal can lead Brooklyn to consistent success. That gets even better when Thomas returns because the 22-year-old and Bridges have improved their chemistry over the past few months.
More must-reads: