© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
"When you play hard, the basketball gods will reward you" -Mikal Bridges on how playing hard helps the Nets succeed
The Brooklyn Nets lost some winnable games due to them playing with less energy. That is what interim head coach Kevin Ollie wants to prevent, especially since he wants to see energy-generating behaviors (EGBs).
Brooklyn star Mikal Bridges recognizes how much energy plays a factor for the team because they play much better when hustling for every rebound and loose ball. In the most recent win against Cleveland, the Nets played hard, which led to the big win.
“The basketball gods just blessing us. That’s what we’re doing, when you play hard, the basketball gods will reward you,” Mikal said after the win against Cleveland.
“We gotta be the team that even if we’re not making shots, we gotta have that energy. Everybody can make shots then start playing hard, so just the nights when they’re not falling, we just gotta grind through it and stick together. Know that it’ll come eventually; just get some stops that will fuel our offense.”
Mikal contributed in other areas amidst his slump
The past few weeks have been tough on Mikal because he was in a massive slump. It felt like every shot he put up wasn’t going in, which could hurt his confidence. However, Mikal did not put his head down and contributed in other areas.
It was like a throwback to Mikal’s Phoenix days when he chased every loose ball and rebounded the ball against the big men. However, the game against Cleveland was the Bridges that Nets fans are familiar with.
He was hitting shots from all over the court and moving well off the ball. That play style unlocks the team’s offensive potential because Cameron Thomas gets to work on offense and become a playmaker.
The Nets must keep playing like this
Even if the shots aren’t falling, the Nets should always play hard. Brooklyn can chase the tenth-seeded Atlanta Haws by playing this way, which can maximize Coach Ollie’s system. Thankfully, the team has leaders like Mikal and Dennis Smith Jr., who lead by example with their hard work on the court.
As long as Brooklyn can play with the “hunter” mentality that Coach Ollie wants to see from the players, this team can reach solid success. The season still has plenty of games left and a lot of opportunities for the Nets to capitalize on.
