<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/knicks-recent-success-molded-mikal-bridges-fit');   ga('set', 'title', 'Knicks’ recent success has been molded by Mikal Bridges fit');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Knicks-recent-success-has-been-molded-by-Mikal-Bridges-fit.jpg"></figure><h1>Knicks’ recent success has been molded by Mikal Bridges fit</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T14:09:20-08:00">December 21st, 2:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T14:10:20-08:00">December 21st, 2:10pm</time><address><a>Drew Maresca</a>Drew Maresca is a NY-area writer and researcher who has covered the NBA for more than 5 years. Prior to joining ClutchPoints to cover the New York Knicks, Drew wrote for Basketball News and Basketball Insiders. Drew has conducted interviews inside NBA locker rooms including Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and the Kia Center, and he covered the 2019 NBA Draft in-person from Brooklyn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Knicks are on a roll of late. They are winners of seven of their last 10 games, and 12 of their last 16. A good deal of their success can be attributed to how <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/1-important-key-to-knicks-success">well the Knicks have moved the ball</a>. On an individual level, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/indispensable-knicks-player-expectations-karl-anthony-towns">Karl-Anthony Towns has played incredibly well, too. </a>But he’s not the only one. Mikal Bridges has finally come around, which has greatly impacted the Knicks’ success.</p><h2><b>Mikal Bridges got off to a slow start</b></h2><p>After a slow—and frankly, disconcerting—start to the season with an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-mikal-bridges-jump-shot-changes-video-breakdown">allegedly altered jump shot</a>, newcomer <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-mikal-bridges-key-unlocking-knicks-championship-potential">Bridges has found his way</a>. As a reminder, Bridges started his Knicks’ tenure off badly, shooting just 2-for-19 on three-pointers through four pre-season games, and doing only marginally better through his first few games.</p><p>Even after improving after a few games, Bridges’ fit was still awkward. And more worrisome was the fact that he looked to be merely a role player; <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-finalize-trade-haul-mikal-bridges-knicks-blockbuster-deal">New York shipped out a significant amount of draft capital</a> in exchange for him, and that would have been an inexcusable misstep.</p><h2><b>All of a sudden, Bridges looks like the perfect fit many expected him to be</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mikal-Bridges-drives-the-basketball-on-Minnesota-Timberwolves-guard-Mike-Conley.jpg"><figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>However, as most around the Knicks suspected, Bridges simply needed more time to adjust to a smaller role. Bridges had to re-learn when to shoot, as shots weren’t as readily available as they’d been with the Phoenix Suns or Brooklyn Nets. But with a smaller role, came less attention from opposing defenses. And that appears to have resonated with Bridges, who has played significantly better of late.</p><p>The former Villanova Wildcat has obviously figured out when and where to look for shots. After a slow start through the Knicks’ first nine games (15.3 points on a 47%/31%/50% shooting split), Bridges has put up a considerably <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bridgmi01/gamelog/2025">improved stat line</a> in New York’s last eight games (22.1 points on a 58%/43%/73% shooting split), per Basketball Reference. Looked at more deeply, Bridges scored 20 or more points only once through the Knicks’ first 10 games. He’s done it eight times over the Knicks’ last 17 games.</p><p>Specifically, Bridges looked about as comfortable as he has thus far in a Knicks uniform in their most recent win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bridges was in his bag, scoring 29 points, while also totaling six assists and six rebounds. He <i>also</i> tied his season high with 12 made field goals on 18 field goal attempts (second-most this season).</p><p>Further supporting the idea that Bridges has adjusted to his new role is the fact that he leads all NBA players in plus-minus throughout December (+129).</p><h2><b>Bridges’ attitude and approach make him a perfect fit in New York </b></h2><p>Knicks’ guard Cam Payne, who was also Bridges’ teammate in Phonex, recently spoke to the media about Bridges’ resilience.</p><p>“Once he started making shots, nobody said nothing [about his revamped shooting form]. Nobody is talking about how it looks now,” Cam Payne said. “So he just be locked in, man. He’s pretty good with stuff like that man. I actually applaud him for it. Because you could easily get distracted with that or get messed up in the head with it.”</p><p>Payne’s point about Bridges continuing to go about his work day in and day out despite what fans and the media said is an important point. It speaks to his professionalism, and his ability to look past criticism—an important skill for athletes in New York.</p><p>Looking ahead, Bridges is a key to the Knicks’ success. Of course Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby are, too. However, the Knicks probably need a lot from all four of their stars, which includes Bridges. They’ll need Brunson to orchestrate, Towns to dominate, and Anunoby and Bridges to defend and score. And increasingly, Bridges looks up for the challenge. Exactly how good the Knicks can be with a confident Bridges is anyone’s guess, but his play of late is incredibly encouraging.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Knicks’ recent success has been molded by Mikal Bridges fit

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/knicks-news-tom-thibodeau-prime-form-mikal-bridges-win');   ga('set', 'title', 'Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau in prime form with bonkers MIkal Bridges minutes in 24-point win');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Tom-Thibodeau-in-prime-form-with-bonkers-MIkal-Bridges-minutes-in-24-point-win-0.jpg"></figure><h1>Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau in prime form with bonkers MIkal Bridges minutes in 24-point win</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-06T08:53:08-08:00">December 6th, 8:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-06T08:53:08-08:00">December 6th, 8:53am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Knicks had a convincing win against the Charlotte Hornets, and it came with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/secret-behind-tom-thibodeau-knicks-minutes-strategy">big minutes from New York’s starting lineup</a>. The player with the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401704893" rel="noopener">most minutes played</a> was Mikal Bridges, who finished with 47. Bridges has always been a player who has been available when needed, and head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for maxing out his players’ minutes as much as he can. In other words, you can say that both Bridges and Thibodeau are a match made in heaven.</p><p>Even Knicks reporter Stefan Bondy noticed what Thibodeau was doing and<a href="https://x.com/SbondyNBA/status/1864864442770493918" rel="noopener"> wrote on X</a>, formerly Twitter, “This fourth quarter almost has me becoming a minutes police informant.”</p><p>One of the reasons Thibodeau probably kept Bridges in the game was because he was a +26 on the court, which was the highest +/- in the game. Bridges finished with 19 points, seven assists, and three rebounds.</p><h2>Mikal Bridges still trying to find role with Knicks</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mikal-Bridges.jpg"><figcaption>John Jones-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s been up and down for Mikal Bridges in his first season with the Knicks on both sides of the ball. At the start of the year, many criticized his jump shot, which seemed to be affecting his shooting numbers as well. For a guy who has been a solid shooter since coming into the league, it was strange why he changed his shot out of nowhere. To add to that, his defense hadn’t been that impactful, either.</p><p>As the season has progressed, it looks like Bridges is starting to fit into his role, but the chemistry isn’t all the way there yet. If the Knicks have championship aspirations, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-mikal-bridges-key-unlocking-knicks-championship-potential">Bridges will be the key</a> to get them to where they want to go. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will put up their numbers every night, but it will be players such as Bridges and OG Anunoby that will shape how successful this team can really be.</p><p>Tom Thibodeau may have decided to play Bridges so many minutes because he wants him to play through it and figure it out, but the head coach has a track record of playing his players a lot of minutes. Sometimes, that’s not the best idea because it could lead to an unnecessary injury, especially if the game is pretty much already decided.</p><p>Despite any struggles that Bridges may have, the Knicks are 14-8 and fourth in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll continue to stack wins throughout the season with the amount of talent they have on the team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau in prime form with bonkers MIkal Bridges minutes in 24-point win

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-cam-johnson-exceeding-expectations-expanded-role-following-mikal-bridges-departure');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Cam Johnson exceeding expectations in expanded role following Mikal Bridges departure');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nets-news-Cam-Johnson-exceeding-expectations-in-expanded-role-following-Mikal-Bridges-departure.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Cam Johnson exceeding expectations in expanded role following Mikal Bridges departure</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T16:21:54-08:00">November 22nd, 4:21pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-23T09:24:43-08:00">November 23rd, 9:24am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Many assumed the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-cam-johnson-dorian-finney-smith-reveal-conversations-sean-marks-amid-trade-rumors">Brooklyn Nets would trade Cam Johnson this summer</a> after the team pivoted to a rebuild. A month into the 2024-25 season, the 28-year-old is off to the best start of his career with the new-look squad.</p><p>With leading scorer Cam Thomas sidelined Tuesday vs. the Charlotte Hornets, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-latest-win-shows-sean-marks-work-before-trade-deadline">Johnson scored 34 points</a> on 11-of-20 shooting from the field and 6-of-12 from three during a 116-115 win. He then scored 37 points during Friday’s 113-98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, one off his career high, while matching a career-high nine made threes.</p><p>The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter had reached 30 points three times in 297 NBA appearances before the pair of performances. For the season, he’s averaged 19.3 points and 3.3 assists per game on 49.8 percent shooting from the field and 42.3 percent from three, all career-highs.</p><p>After battling injuries throughout a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Johnson credited improved health and added opportunities for his high-level start.</p><p>“Just taking advantage of opportunities… Finding a rhythm, being able to be healthy all through preseason and god-willing, continue to stay healthy, is important,” he said. “Especially as a shooter, rhythm is really important. It’s hard to just miss time, come back and think everything’s gonna work out. But no matter what challenges are thrown, I’m just gonna keep on playing my game and trying to get some wins on the board for us.</p><p>Johnson has shouldered a heavier burden as a self-creator while stepping into an expanded role following Mikal Bridges’ departure.</p><h2>Cam Johnson raising Nets floor in expanded offensive role</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cam-Johnson.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The third-year Net has responded to the challenge, flashing an expanded offensive repertoire.</p><p>While his three-point shooting has remained near the top of the league, he’s also been highly efficient on drives, shooting a career-high 76 percent at the rim. That ranks in the 76th percentile among NBA forwards, per CleaningTheGlass. His aggressiveness has led to more free throws, as he’s attempted a career-high 3.3 per game and converted at a 91.8 percent clip.</p><p>Head coach Jordi Fernandez said that Johnson’s recent workload <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1860098092130808136" rel="noopener">exemplifies the team’s trust in the veteran</a> as more than a three-point shooter.</p><p>“I’ve always thought that he’s a very good overall player, not just a shooter,” Fernandez said Friday. “Not having CT the other day, I told him, ‘I’m gonna give you the ball more, and the team needs you to do that.’ And he was excellent. Sometimes, players show you what they’re able to do, and sometimes, you decide. I see that I can give him the ball a lot. That’s great that his teammates also trust him, and they can see that.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asked Jordi Ferandnez whether Cam Johnson has exceeded his expectations as a self-creator offensively:</p><p>"Not having CT the other day, I told him, ‘I’m gonna give you the ball more, and the team needs you to do that.’ And he was excellent. Sometimes, players show you what they’re… <a href="https://t.co/MCasHh1GTQ">pic.twitter.com/MCasHh1GTQ</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1860098092130808136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/best-cam-johnson-trade-destinations-if-nets-continue-roster-blowup">Johnson’s hot start will add to trade speculation</a> as the season progresses. The former lottery pick’s three-and-D skillset and improved self-creation make him a fit for virtually any contender.</p><p>With the Nets eyeing a top draft pick, general manager Sean Marks is expected to field offers for several veterans ahead of the deadline. If Johnson can continue his steady play while staying healthy, he’ll be among the top players on the market.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Cam Johnson exceeding expectations in expanded role following Mikal Bridges departure

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/why-mikal-bridges-key-unlocking-knicks-championship-potential');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Mikal Bridges is a key to unlocking Knicks’ championship potential');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Why-Mikal-Bridges-is-a-key-to-unlocking-Knicks-championship-potential.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Mikal Bridges is a key to unlocking Knicks’ championship potential</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-19T10:28:10-08:00">November 19th, 10:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-19T10:28:36-08:00">November 19th, 10:28am</time><address><a>Drew Maresca</a>Drew Maresca is a NY-area writer and researcher who has covered the NBA for more than 5 years. Prior to joining ClutchPoints to cover the New York Knicks, Drew wrote for Basketball News and Basketball Insiders. Drew has conducted interviews inside NBA locker rooms including Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and the Kia Center, and he covered the 2019 NBA Draft in-person from Brooklyn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-4-things-knicks-fix-reach-potential">Mikal Bridges has had an awkward start</a> to his tenure as a member of the New York Knicks. Bridges looked like a major missing piece. He was widely considered an ideal third star who happened to be moonlighting as the Brooklyn Nets’ best player. So, joining the Knicks was a logical fit, as he was set to be a supplemental star behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. But plans change. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/how-karl-anthony-towns-trade-helps-knicks-timberwolves-hornets">New York traded Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns</a>—a move that destabilized the roster by removing some depth and resulting in less familiarity between starters.</p><h2><b>Knicks’ early struggles coincide with Bridges battle to regain form</b></h2><p>On a more personal level, Bridges struggled at first, too. He t<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-mikal-bridges-jump-shot-changes-video-breakdown">weaked his jump shot</a> before joining the Knicks. That change was seemingly meant to achieve a higher release point. It didn’t work well. Bridges shot just 2-for-19 on three-pointers through four pre-season games. And his start to the regular season looked similarly tenuous. He was 0 for 4 on threes in the first half of the first game of the season.</p><p>Sure, Bridges made two of his three triples in the second half of that first game, but his struggles weren’t over yet. He shot only 30.8% on three-point attempts through the first 10 games of the season, and he broke 20 points just once. Comparatively, Bridges made 37.2% of his three-pointers last season, and <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bridgmi01.html" rel="noopener">he averaged 19.6 points per game</a> in 2023-24.</p><p>Thankfully, Bridges has played better of late. He scored 20 or more in three straight games prior to Monday’s blowout win against the Washington Wizards, and he shot eight-for-21 on three-pointers ( 38%) in those three games.</p><h2><b>Bridges’ clear-cut role continues to evade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mikal-Bridges-and-Og-Anunoby.jpg"><figcaption>John Jones-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Still, Bridges is clearly struggling to find his role. For example, he’s shot just 11 free throws through the Knicks first 13 games. That’s after shooting 317 last season. He’s pretty clearly on pace for a career low.</p><p>Bridges’ defense has also been less impactful. Yes, he had a game-saving block against the Brooklyn Nets last week, which gave Knicks’ fans something to be happy about. But he’s had less of an impact than you’d expect, especially alongside OG Anunoby, with whom he was widely expected to form a monster defensive unit.</p><p>Furthermore, the Knicks’ are simply better without him, at least according to the statistics. New York has a better offensive and defensive rating without Bridges on the floor than they do with him. They shoot better (twos and threes) without him, too. And opponents shoot a better field goal percentage (twos and threes) with him <i>on</i> the floor. That’s a lot to digest. But it’s not all Bridges’ fault.</p><p>The Knicks are still a team learning to play with each other. Add in the fact that they swapped two above-average defenders at center for one less-than-stellar defender, along with the fact that their depth has been effectively depleted, at least for now, and you get a team struggling to stay live up to their potential. And with Bridges leading the Knicks in minutes played, his stats will inevitably be impacted by those around him. But this too shall pass.</p><h2><b>Despite all of the statistics, Bridges will be fine</b></h2><p>Still, the real Mikal Bridges is in there somewhere. He’s finding his role. In doing so, he leads the entire league in minutes per game. With a coach like Tom Thibodeau, who relies on players he trusts above all else, that’s saying something considering he <i>just</i> joined the team.</p><p>Additionally, he’s shown flashes of creating for himself. <i>Flashes</i>. But still, he’s penetrated off the dribble and scored a bit more as of late without being set up. And his back-to-the-basket game has been a bright spot.</p><p>So, ultimately, don’t fret, Knicks fans. It’s been just 14 games or 17% of the season. And the Knicks have stayed afloat, going 8-6 so far. And they’ve played all of those games without two important players: Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa. So, it’s important to understand that there are brighter days ahead.</p><p>Bridges will figure it out. He’s beloved by his teammates, especially his former college teammates (Brunson and Josh Hart). He’s previously played alongside superstars like Devin Booker. So, figuring out how to fit alongside the Knicks’ talented starting lineup shouldn’t be a problem. And he’s the most durable player in the game today. So, give him a little more time. Even if his production doesn’t live up to what he’s done in the past, his impact will be felt.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Mikal Bridges is a key to unlocking Knicks’ championship potential

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-mikal-bridges-reveals-1-regret-time-with-brooklyn');   ga('set', 'title', 'Knicks’ Mikal Bridges reveals 1 regret from time with Nets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nets-news-Mikal-Bridges-reveals-1-regret-from-time-with-Brooklyn.jpg"></figure><h1>Knicks’ Mikal Bridges reveals 1 regret from time with Nets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-18T07:13:54-08:00">November 18th, 7:13am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-18T07:51:45-08:00">November 18th, 7:51am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>At this time last season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/former-net-mikal-bridges-defends-himself-reports-forced-knicks-trade">Mikal Bridges gave a disheartened press conference</a> about New York Knicks fans taking over a Brooklyn Nets home game at Barclays Center. One year later, he was on the other end of the crosstown rivalry.</p><p>Bridges faced the Nets this weekend for the first time since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-blockbuster-mikal-bridges-trade-involving-nets-knicks-rockets">the blockbuster trade that sent him across the river</a>. He turned in two of his best performances of the season before sellout crowds at Madison Square Garden, averaging 21.5 points on 51.4 percent shooting during a pair of Knicks wins.</p><p>Bridges’ Brooklyn exit came with controversy. Reports said the 28-year-old informed the Nets that he wanted to be traded to the Knicks — where he would join Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart — and was willing to play hardball to force his way there. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/former-net-mikal-bridges-defends-himself-reports-forced-knicks-trade">Bridges denied the claims</a> in the weeks following the deal.</p><p>He <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1858351252163416181" rel="noopener">told ClutchPoints on Sunday</a> that he only had one regret from his time in Brooklyn.</p><p>“The only thing I can say about that is I wish we had more wins. That’s pretty much it,” Bridges said. “I control what I can control. But there’s a lot of my guys over there. I’m still close with a lot of those people, even in the front office. They’re great people, so [I’m] never mad about it with them.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mikal Bridges on whether he wishes he did anything differently with the Nets:</p><p>"The only thing I can say about that is I wish we had more wins. That's pretty much it. I control what I can control. But there's a lot of my guys over there. I'm still close with a lot of those… <a href="https://t.co/eiWeRURIHS">pic.twitter.com/eiWeRURIHS</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1858351252163416181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2>Mikal Bridges’ path from Nets building block to crosstown rival</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mikal-Bridges-and-Cam-Johnson.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Many viewed Bridges as Brooklyn’s core building block entering last season. After joining the Nets as the centerpiece of their return for Kevin Durant, he turned in a career-best stretch to close 2022-23, averaging 27.1 points on 48/38/89 shooting splits over 26 games.</p><p>However, he came back to earth in 2023-24 and looked growingly apathetic as the year progressed. The Nets struggled as a result, firing head coach Jacque Vaughn at the All-Star break. Despite this, the team still considered moving forward with Bridges as a centerpiece.</p><p>“When I was hired, he was on the team. And I had great conversations with him, I had workouts with him, I started to build a relationship with him,” said newly hired head coach Jordi Fernandez. “But the NBA has certain surprises, and things change… The trade was part of our direction with how we want to do things and the plan that we have for building success and sustaining success.”</p><p>“Mikal is an amazing player, and what I told him was, ‘There’s nothing else better than the NBA than being wanted.’ And he was wanted at that time. It’s part of the business.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jordi Fernandez's thoughts on the Mikal Bridges trade:</p><p>“It’s part of our direction and how we want to do things and the plan that we have for building sustainable success. He’s an amazing player. I told him there’s nothing better in the NBA than being wanted, and he was wanted… <a href="https://t.co/J3n02Eu6GT">pic.twitter.com/J3n02Eu6GT</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1857566571939475694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2>Bridges leaving Nets struggles behind in pursuit of championship with Knicks</h2><p>Bridges’ demeanor against his former team was a stark contrast to the second half of last season. Defensively, he looked energized, inspiring hope after a lackluster start to the year. Offensively, his three-point efficiency improved, as he knocked down 7-of-17 attempts (41.2 percent) after shooting 21-of-69 (30.4 percent) over his first 11 games.</p><p>Bridges hit the Nets <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1858331980011552854" rel="noopener">with his patented three-point celebration</a> on Sunday after draining a triple in front of their bench. Cam Johnson, his longtime teammate and “Twin” dating back to their first seasons with the Phoenix Suns, had a four-word response to being on the other end of the move.</p><p>“It’s annoying, very annoying,” he said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cam Johnson on getting hit with Mikal Bridges’ three-point celebration:</p><p>“It’s annoying… very annoying.” <a href="https://t.co/hFbRP7Cvqo">https://t.co/hFbRP7Cvqo</a> <a href="https://t.co/vTwnNa0zEV">pic.twitter.com/vTwnNa0zEV</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1858344027227029575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Bridges and the Nets are now on divergent paths. The Knicks are all-in on a championship pursuit after trading Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Bojan Bogdonavic, six first-round picks and a first-round pick swap to acquire Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns this summer.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Nets are expected to continue a teardown this season in pursuit of a top draft pick. Following the Bridges trade, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-gm-sean-marks-reveals-why-took-knicks-mikal-bridges-trade-offer">Brooklyn has 15 first-round picks</a> over the next seven years. They have four in a loaded 2025 draft, including their own and the Bucks’, which is growing in value amid Milwaukee’s 4-9 start.</p><p>Arguments between Knicks and Nets fans about who won the deal will continue as the season progresses. Anything short of a championship will be considered a failure for New York, while Brooklyn’s grade will remain incomplete for the foreseeable future.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Knicks’ Mikal Bridges reveals 1 regret from time with Nets

Andre Roberson

Jerami Grant

Justin Holiday

Elfrid Payton

Mikal Bridges

Frank Kaminsky

Quinn Cook

Kyle Anderson

Justin Jackson

Darius Miller

2021-22 All-Defensive

Phoenix Suns

Brooklyn Nets

New York Knicks

1 season

Career

2 seasons

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1646247941131186177/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1644579048591376389/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1635378518178816005/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1635068845995229187/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1634760237352730624/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1634747043519365124/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1634419986050568193/

https://twitter.com/mikal_bridges/status/1634061160113750017/

And jhart doing everything out there to win

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
17.3	3.4	3.3	0.5	1.1

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
17.3	3.4	3.3	0.5	1.1

Mikal
Bridges

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Knicks’ Mikal Bridges reveals 1 regret from time with Nets

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