Mike Brown says what Mikal Bridges does as well as any player he’s seen that he hopes people notice

Mike Brown says Mikal Bridges’ defensive activity often goes unnoticed

Mike Brown spoke after the Knicks’ win over the Charlotte Hornets, taking a moment to heap praise on Mikal Bridges.

He praised Bridges for all the small things he does on the defensive end that go unnoticed, calling him an All-Defensive Team-caliber player

“Mikal was really good. He had six deflections in his minutes, a couple of steals… Mikal’s next play speed is unbelievable.

“If a turnover happens or an offensive rebound happens, he does not hesitate or take an extra step in the opposite direction of the ball.

“Right away, his change of direction in a flip of a switch from offense to defense is amazing. Probably one of the best I’ve been around.

“For him to get a couple of blocks the way he did, that’s a testament to what he can do defensively.

“I hope everybody is watching those small things that don’t always show up in the stat sheet, because he’s a first-team all-defender.

“It’s evident. There’s no question in my mind. And it’s all the little things he does that I hope don’t go unnoticed because he was really good for us on that end of the floor.”

Mikal Bridges has a lot to prove next season

This summer, Mikal Bridges signed a $150 million Knicks extension, earning a massive payday after playing really well for the team.

Bridges’ extension came after the Knicks failed to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade. Regardless of how he got paid, now he has to prove he was worth the money.

While Bridges is a decent offensive player, it’s his defense that makes him crucial to the Knicks. Bridges is arguably the Knicks’ best point-of-attack defender.

And next season, he will need to play at a supreme level defensively to give the Knicks a chance to compete for a championship.