Mikal Bridges remains committed to the Brooklyn Nets project

Amidst all the noise outside Brooklyn, Mikal Bridges remains committed to the Nets.

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets are the most prominent team on the news due to Jacque Vaughn’s exit as the head coach. Kevin Ollie will take over in an interim role for the rest of the season. It has led to Brooklyn becoming more prominent in the news sphere, with many speculating that Mikal Bridges won’t be as committed to the project as before.

The former Villanova Wildcat has vehemently smashed those rumors, given he’s re-affirmed his commitment to the Nets project. This is a good sign for the organization, as Bridges is arguably the team’s most productive player and has embraced his role as a star and building block for the long-term future.

Mikal Bridges on what needs to change for the #Nets going forward under Kevin Ollie.

“Just all got to be together on a string” and do the details without thinking so much. Being more accountable, starting with his own body language. pic.twitter.com/njS1q7L0R1

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) February 21, 2024

“I wasn’t raised when things get tough to want to leave and get out. I know people might want to think about different situations and teams. I’ve got my boys over there in New York, so everybody goes with that, but you know, I never was the type of guy to whenever there’s more on my shoulders, and things get tough, and it’s time to cry and get out,” Mikal said after the first practice under interim head coach Kevin Ollie. 

“I’m here now, and I want to stay here; I’m going to keep grinding to get to wherever we gotta get to win. That’s what I’m here for, I’m here to win. All the other sh*t don’t mean nothing; the accolades, it all comes with it. Just trying to win.”

Building with Mikal

People outside the Nets community have a misconception about the Brooklyn front office’s plans surrounding Mikal. The team is not necessarily building around him as the franchise cornerstone like OKC did with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The idea of building with Bridges is using the Suns’ picks in trade packages for players who can mesh well with the 27-year-old. Mikal is one of the most reliable players in the league, and he’s the perfect wing player to pair with any star.

The Nets will keep competing this season

Mikal and the rest of the Nets roster are ready to succeed in the last 28 games. The team is only 2.5 games outside the tenth seed, which is a reasonable margin for Brooklyn. Ollie wants to lead this team into the postseason, as the team needs to get a semblance of success, considering they don’t have a pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Nets have issues but Mikal Bridges is not one of them https://t.co/Gwge42ZExZ

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) February 21, 2024

With Bridges showing his commitment to the project, the Nets are in a good position for the future. Cameron Thomas and Nic Claxton are the other building blocks for Brooklyn, and both look ready for the high-pressure stretch for the next couple of months.

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