Mikal Bridges is model for Mike Brown’s Knicks transformation

Mikal Bridges is the standard Mike Brown is imploring the rest of his Knicks roster to mimic. 

The Knicks coach raved about Bridges’ “next-play speed” following the team’s 113-108 win over the Hornets on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in the preseason finale. That “next-play speed” represents his “unbelievable” ability to immediately transition to defense 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 direction and the flip of the switch from offense to defense is amazing. Probably one of the best I’ve been around. For him to get a couple of blocks the way he did, that’s just a testament 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.” 

It has been a focal point throughout training camp and the preseason. Brown is in the midst of transforming the Knicks offense into one that is much faster and free-flowing, one that is constantly looking to push the pace with a priority on ball movement over isolation. 

That, naturally, will likely lead to an increase in turnovers, especially as the Knicks adjust. Quickly pivoting to defense will be paramount. 

Besides Bridges, Brown was not satisfied with his team in that regard Friday. He saw his players sulk and put their heads down after turnovers and missed shots, leading to easy 3-pointers or foul shots for the Hornets on the other end. 

“We emphasize it more,” Bridges said. “He got me really forgetting the [last] play and getting back, getting the whole team on that. That’s how it’s supposed to be. He’s encouraging it every single day, putting pressure 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.” 

Bridges is the model, but Brown has also looked to other sports to get his message across. One example came from the NFL, when then-Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf chased down Cardinals safety Budda Baker after an interception during a 2021 game. Baker had picked off Russell Wilson’s pass near his own end zone and looked to have a clear path in front of him for a pick-six. But Metcalf, without hesitation, began sprinting after Baker down the field and eventually caught him to prevent a touchdown. 

When most receivers would have taken their foot off the gas, Metcalf only accelerated. The same needs to 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.” 

It’s not just Bridges’ “next-play speed” that has stood out this preseason. Brown’s offensive system is one that should accentuate Bridges’ strengths and bring out the best of him. With Jalen Brunson playing less in isolation and more off-the-ball, it should get the Knicks’ periphery scorers more involved. Instead of being relegated to a largely catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter in the corners, Bridges should have more opportunities as a ball-handler to attack the rim and get to the midrange in transitions and with the defense off-balance. 

In four preseason games, Bridges played 23.1 minutes a game and averaged 12.8 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. Expanded out to a full workload, those numbers would certainly be optimal. 

After an incredibly up-and-down first season with the Knicks, they are betting that there is another level for Bridges to reach, 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.”