When Mikal Bridges got traded to the Knicks this summer, he deemed it a “surreal” feeling. After all, he was reuniting with his Villanova boys in a city not too far from his hometown. Moreover, the fans in New York welcomed him with open arms, hoping that he was the missing piece who would lead them to a title. But Bridges has not lived up to the expectations so far as he continues to struggle in the new environment. And it looks like Knicks fans are done being patient as they turned on Bridges after tonight’s disappointing performance against the Jazz.
Well, Mikal struggled on the hardwood once again and finished with only 7 points on an abysmal three of fifteen shooting. Lauri Markkanen and Co. took advantage of the situation and blew out the Knicks to snap their four-game winning streak. As expected, Knicks fans went off on Bridges and one netizen even posted a rant video criticizing the veteran guard, “Yo, somebody grab Mikal Bridges and tell him: He’s pathetic! What is that? He looked like RJ Barrett out there. We traded five first round picks to bring back next RJ, Oh my Goodness!… He gotta pick it up. He looks like straight trash. He looks like straight up garbage… Enough bro. Enough. He looks like absolute pure garbage bro. TRASH!”
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You fucking stink @mikal_bridges and we traded 5 picks for yo weak ass and u got the nerve to play like this on both sides of the ball
No more smiling get ur weak ass in the gym and put up shots after the game im sick of the shit u smell like hot ass on a grill… pic.twitter.com/urO01RhlkS
— State from Harlem🇬🇭🗽 (@bmorelikestate) November 24, 2024
Yes, the Knicks had to give up Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton, Mamadi Diakite, four unprotected first-round picks and one protected pick to acquire Bridges. Obviously, they thought they were getting a consistent twenty-point scorer in return who has never missed a game in his career. But Bridges has only averaged 15.8 points so far and is shooting a career-low 30.4% from deep range. Moreover, Bridges also acknowledged that his decline is due to recent changes, “It was tough in the beginning. Just trying to figure it out, especially getting (Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade from Minnesota) late going into training camp, but it’s been good.” However, fans are starting to get frustrated.
Knicks fans roast Mikal Bridges amid recent struggles: “Mikal Stinks”
As the rant video went viral, many fans began to resonate with the sentiment as one wrote, “This one I agree with! If you’re not shooting well, give everything on D no excuses.” While offensive struggles are still excusable because not every night can be your night, many believe that Mikal is also lacking on the defensive end and not giving maximum effort. And that became more evident as the Knicks gave up 121 points tonight.
What’s your perspective on:
Did the Knicks make a mistake trading for Mikal Bridges, or is it too soon to judge?
Have an interesting take?
This one I agree with! If you’re not shooting well, give everything on D no excuses
— WWKnicks (@WWKnicksPodcast) November 24, 2024
Meanwhile, one fan even mocked Mikal’s lack of physicality on defense, “My 3-year-old nephew got more muscle on him than Mikal Bridges.” And one netizen pointed out the irony in Bridges’ X bio, “Bros twitter bio says “sometimes I hoop” lol… CORRECT, sometimes and the other times he just stinks it up.”
Bros twitter bio says “sometimes i hoop” lol… CORRECT, sometimes and the other times he just stinks it up.
— Boardman Gets Pod (@GetsPod) November 24, 2024
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While Bridges continued to get criticized, some fans also pointed out that Jalen Brunson has also not been playing up to his standard, “Brunson too. He has been bad on offense and defense. He played like dog sh*t. And Mikal stinks.”
Brunson too. He has been bad on offense and defense. He played like dog shit. And Mikal stinks
— knicks 411 (@Sameolknicks) November 24, 2024
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Well, JB’s scoring average has dropped to 25.2 points this season and he only scored 23 points in tonight’s loss. Although those are decent numbers, fans expect a lot more from him. And the Knicks might not be able to become title contenders until the Villanova Boys step up their game. Do you agree?
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Debate
Did the Knicks make a mistake trading for Mikal Bridges, or is it too soon to judge?