Bucks Zone

Mikal Bridges admits Suns' underestimated the Bucks in the 2021 Finals: "I thought we was good"

Bridges admitted that the Suns misjudged the Bucks heading to the title stage.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Milwaukee BucksPhoenix Suns

Although he is not a Phoenix Sun anymore, the nightmares of the 2021 NBA Finals collapse at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks will always remain horrifying for Mikal Bridges.

In his recent appearance on the Roommates Show, Mikal recalled how he and the Suns underestimated the Bucks on the title stage, knowing they went through the grinding competition of the Western Conference.

“I remember going up 2-0, thought we was good,” Bridges said. “I was like, ‘We about to win the ‘chip,’ because look, especially in the West, especially then, like the West, all had tough teams. The East really like whatever. We go see Milwaukee. We over here like, ‘Man, it’s light. It’s the East. It’s Milwaukee. I know they got (Giannis Antetokounmpo), and obviously, they got hoopers, but I’m like, the West is tougher than the East. We’re like we good.’”

Tables turned for the Bucks

Eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and the L.A. Clippers, the Suns truly had to go through the bloodbath contest of the West just to make it to the Finals. But like them, the Bucks willed their way to the title stage by surviving their seven-game war with the Brooklyn Nets in the Conference Semis and outlasting the gutsy Atlanta Hawks in six games of the East Finals.

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, enduring a nasty knee injury, the Bucks came to play in the Valley but trembled as the Suns instantly went up 2-0 in the series. But from that point, Milwaukee flipped the switch and never turned their heads around again, with Giannis, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday unleashing memorable performances.

The defining moment of the Bucks' marvelous charge to eventually win the 2021 championship was in Game 5. As the series is knotted at two games apiece, Giannis and Jrue connected to an iconic alley-oop play in the pivotal endgame that completely shifted the momentum at their side.

“I remember the ball went up, and Jrue threw the lob. [Chris Paul] tried to foul, but Giannis caught it, dunked it, and And-1. I just stopped. … It was tough,” said Bridges

A forgettable downfall

With Giannis dropping a 50-point masterpiece, the Bucks have won it all in Game 6 of the series in Fiserv Forum for their second title in franchise history. The thrill of victory has been in the air all night long around Milwaukee, but the agony of defeat has been suffocating for both Mikal and Phoenix.

“When we lost Game 6, because we should’ve won Game 6, see bro, my mind’s a little … When you lose stuff like that, you try to let that memory get out your head. I haven’t rewatched no games. None of them,” Bridges concluded.

Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton allege Damian Lillard missed his first four shots on the last rack on purpose

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.