“It Hurts”: Amid LeBron James’ Return Tease, Mikal Bridges Gets Real About His Future After Losing Against Dillon Brooks’ Canada

The USA’s FIBA World Cup campaign has ended disappointingly. Entering as the favorite, the team faltered thrice. The team put on a strong fight, but their defense abandoned them repeatedly. They were getting beaten both inside and outside. This loss has shaken Coach Kerr and the USA players alike. Perhaps they were overwhelmed by teams that weren’t given a chance against them.

In this wake, LeBron James teased a possible return to the national team for the 2024 Olympics. What about Mikal Bridges? Will he be there too? For now, he is collecting the broken pieces of his heart.

Mikal Bridges relates his hurt

The USA gave up 30+ in two quarters while giving up 16 in the OT. It means that the five-minute OT period also had a similar number to the 30+ points quarters when converted to 10 minutes. Since FIBA’s quarter is 10 minutes, the number is too high. It means that the team defense for the USA was off like the other games. This allowed defensive dynamo Dillon Brooks to sprinkle 39 points and give up seven three-pointers. The long-range defense has been atrocious for the team. Offensively, the team had some live-wire performances. Anthony Edwards was once again the leader, clinching 24 points. Austin Reaves continued his amazing summer, nabbing 23 points. 

Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges had a fantastic game too. He had 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. After a slow start, scoring around 10 a game, he has turned it around. He also made a tricky three-pointer to force the OT.

He had 19, 17, and 24 points to finish the tournament on a strong note. However, the loss versus Canada has stung him. He said, ” We didn’t get enough stops. We were out of rhythm. Yes, it hurts”. He also sounded positive if the opportunity arises to play for the national team in the future.

The Olympics and FIBA WC present different dynamics

Bridges sounded willing to play again for the USA. He revealed, “I think I will never say no. It’s an honor every time. No matter the result, I wouldn’t trade those six weeks. The biggest thing is the relationship we built. That’s what I take away from this”. Considering his rising stock, it may happen again. The difference between the FIBA WC and the Olympics is that in the World Cup, the USA uses emerging stars. Whereas in the Olympics, the squad prefers a full-blown superstar attack.

That’s why in the World Cup, they have many times ended up in the third or fourth places. Meanwhile, in the Olympics, they are an automatic for gold. In this wake, we can see, that Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant can be a part of the World Cup. LBJ recently hinted at such a possibility.

READ MORE: “Best Defender” Dillon Brooks Heroics Crush Team USA’s Medal Dreams Despite Mikal Bridges Rectifying Past Errors

Do you think the USA will again breeze to the Gold in the Olympics next year?

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