Mikal Bridges embracing Nets’ management function

LAS VEGAS — Mikal Bridges didn’t discuss his method right into a profession breakthrough final season, or changing into the Nets’ chief this season.

He labored his method into it.

Discuss is reasonable. However actual management — the sort Bridges has earned from his teammates and coaches — is dear, paid for with sweat fairness.

However with the Nets set to tip off the preseason Monday versus the Lakers, it’s a duty he’s able to shoulder.

“It’s simply thrilling. … I might discuss all of it I would like. I might discuss, ‘I’m going do that, I’m going to do this, we’re going to win video games,’ however you don’t know till you play,” Bridges mentioned. “It’s a brand new function. Personally I feel I can fulfill it and reach it with who I’m as an individual. I’m prepared to take each bullet, take the blame for dropping: I’m prepared for all that. Personally, I feel I’m prepared, however we’ll see.

“Who wouldn’t need this? Who wouldn’t need this sort of stress, this sort of expectations? For those who actually love the sport and actually wish to be the most effective you will be, you’d need this …the place you’re the principle man and every little thing’s in your shoulders. What are you going to do? How I’m raised and the place I got here from with the issues I’ve been by, I really feel like I’m prepared for the second and all the time have been.”

Bridges was the centerpiece of the Kevin Durant commerce, blossoming in Brooklyn as he averaged 26.1 factors and 4.5 rebounds in 27 video games.

However that was dropped midseason right into a mishmash of gamers from the Nets, Suns and Mavs. Now right here from Day 1 of camp, he has extra of a capability to steer.

“[It’s] method higher. Simply being across the guys and being snug sufficient the place we’re all right here ranging from the start … [not] becoming a member of a special staff midway,” Bridges mentioned after Saturday’s observe at UNLV. “So simply constructing relationships off the courtroom makes it simpler happening the courtroom and voicing issues.”

Each his teammates and coaches say Bridges isn’t simply speaking to speak. He’s all the time been a sponge, whether or not that was absorbing issues from Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix or Staff USA mates on this summer season’s FIBA World Cup.

However since returning, he’s been doing additional movie work with Jacque Vaughn, and choosing his mind in conferences.

“He has an understanding of what we wish to do and can ask questions,” Vaughn mentioned. “That’s management, to be susceptible sufficient to after I’m [saying] ‘All proper, anyone have something?’ and a few guys don’t ask a query, he’ll ask a query. That’s a part of management, in order that the entire group is in alignment.

“We’re going to encourage and actually put him able the place everybody’s speaking and speaking, however able the place often if you’re speaking in a setting like that, what you’re speaking about, or else you don’t discuss. So it places him able to know what we’re doing.”

A number of Nets cited Bridges as stepping right into a management function, each within the locker room and on the courtroom.

“It’s a fantastic factor. It reveals what he’s able to. It reveals the extent of participant he’s. From 12 months in and 12 months out, he’s solely been bettering,” Lonnie Walker IV mentioned. “So for him to go from the Suns to over right here and … do what he’s doing, it’s no shock. He works very laborious to get to the place he bought to. He’s additionally a frontrunner: He is aware of the sport very well, inside and outside.”

And that work ethic has allowed him to not simply add the 3-pointer, midrange jumper and pick-and-roll to the off-ball reducing expertise he introduced into the league; it’s additionally made him a frontrunner, and an iron man who’s logged 392 straight video games — third-longest in NBA historical past.

“It’s all within the work,” Cam Johnson mentioned. “He’s been prepared to place within the work day by day of his profession. And he’s an on a regular basis man. He reveals up, day by day. He’s obtainable, and he commits himself to getting higher. … You simply watch over time, you may see such a pure development of ability, of the flexibility to alter video games, take over video games.

“So simply placing that each one collectively, persevering with that momentum. He’s going to proceed working. It’s not a matter of ‘OK, I’m good, I’m right here.’ Nah. He’s going to place within the work. … Every single day I’ve been round him, that is what he’s been about. So he’s undoubtedly able to persevering with that momentum that he constructed up towards the top of final 12 months and taking it into some actually optimistic issues.”