Mikal Bridges is model for Mike Brown’s Knicks transformation…
Mikal Bridges is the normal Mike Brown is imploring the remainder of his Knicks roster to imitate.
The Knicks coach raved about Bridges’ “next-play speed” following the team’s 113-108 win over the Hornets on Friday night time at Madison Square Garden in the preseason finale. That “next-play speed” represents his “unbelievable” ability to right away transition to protection after an offensive possession ends or goes awry.
“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,” Brown said. “Right away, his change of path and the flip of the swap from offense to protection is superb. Probably considered one of the best I’ve been round. For him to get a few blocks the method he did, that’s just a testomony to what he can do defensively.
“I hope everybody is watching those small things that don’t always show up in the stat sheet. He’s a first-team all-defender. It’s evident. There’s no question in my mind what he does out on the floor. It’s a lot of the little things that he does that I hope don’t go unnoticed.”
Mikal Bridges shoots a jumper during the Knicks’ win over the Hornets of their preseason finale on Oct. 17, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
It has been a focal point throughout training camp and the preseason. Brown is in the midst of reworking the Knicks offense into one that is a lot quicker and free-flowing, one that is continuously trying to push the tempo with a precedence on ball motion over isolation.
That, naturally, will doubtless result in a rise in turnovers, particularly as the Knicks alter. Quickly pivoting to protection might be paramount.
Besides Bridges, Brown was not glad together with his team in that regard Friday. He noticed his gamers sulk and put their heads down after turnovers and missed photographs, resulting in simple 3-pointers or foul photographs for the Hornets on the other end.
“We emphasize it more,” Bridges said. “He obtained me actually forgetting the [last] play and getting again, getting the complete team on that. That’s the way it’s speculated to be. He’s encouraging it every single day, placing strain on us to do it every single time.
“He’s charting it, getting on us when we’re not doing it. Listening to him, he’s pushing us to the next level.”
Mikal Bridges shoots a fadeaway during the Knicks’ preseason win over the Hornets. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Bridges is the model, however Brown has also seemed to other sports activities to get his message across. One instance got here from the NFL, when then-Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf chased down Cardinals security Budda Baker after an interception during a 2021 game. Baker had picked off Russell Wilson’s go close to his personal end zone and seemed to have a clear path in entrance of him for a pick-six. But Metcalf, without hesitation, started sprinting after Baker down the discipline and ultimately caught him to stop a landing.
When most receivers would have taken their foot off the fuel, Metcalf only accelerated. The same must be true for the Knicks in defensive transitions.
“You always admire things like that,” Bridges said. “You got a lot of guys that want to do it anyway. Him emphasizing it, we need it.”
Mikal Bridges makes a leaping go during the Knicks’ preseason win over the Hornets. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
It’s not just Bridges’ “next-play speed” that has stood out this preseason. Brown’s offensive system is one that ought to intensify Bridges’ strengths and produce out the best of him. With Jalen Brunson playing less in isolation and more off-the-ball, it ought to get the Knicks’ periphery scorers more concerned. Instead of being relegated to a largely catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter in the corners, Bridges ought to have more alternatives as a ball-handler to assault the rim and get to the midrange in transitions and with the protection off-balance.
In 4 preseason games, Bridges performed 23.1 minutes a game and averaged 12.8 factors on 50 p.c taking pictures from the discipline and 35 p.c from 3-point vary. Expanded out to a full workload, those numbers will surely be optimum.
After an extremely up-and-down first season with the Knicks, they’re betting that there is another level for Bridges to succeed in, giving him a four-year, $150 million extension. So far, the early returns are promising.
“I feel more at home,” Bridges said. “Everybody being here, being in this arena, being around all you guys, it feels like home. It’s good.”
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