CHARLESTON, S.C. — Mikal Bridges formally started his Knicks profession Tuesday, figuring out that his earlier stint in Brooklyn, whereas disappointing, was additionally a useful studying expertise.
“Yeah, it was robust in Brooklyn, we have been dropping. Even personally, I feel I didn’t deal with it in addition to I might,” Bridges stated after finishing his first apply with the Knicks in coaching camp. “I at all times advocate psychological power and by no means dropping morale. Nevertheless it was simply one thing I had by no means handled that approach. And I feel it was only a lot for that staff normally after I was there and everybody’s expectations and I feel I did not deal with that in addition to I ought to have.
“However coming right here is nice. Everyone seems to be locked in and everyone seems to be motivated and training [Tom Thibodeau] everybody was locked up. So it is nice to be right here.
With the Nets, Bridges shouldered the burden of the No. 1 offensive possibility and struggled to be efficient as the middle of the opposing protection.
This can be a distinct function in MSG alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities.
“When you will have two All-NBA gamers like that, that’s the best way it’s,” Bridges stated. “It should undoubtedly open up the spacing.”
Bridges is predicted to begin within the backcourt with Jalen Brunson, his former teammate at Villanova.
“I understand how he performs, he is aware of how I play,” Brunson stated, “the chemistry continues to be there.”
Mitchell Robinson, who’s formally out indefinitely whereas recovering from ankle surgical procedure, didn’t journey with the Knicks to Charleston for coaching camp.
The middle remained in New York to rehabilitate on the staff’s facility.
Though Thibodeau declined to offer a timeline for Robinson’s restoration, a league supply focused December or January as a tough estimate, relying on rehabilitation progress.
Thibodeau defined why the Knicks returned to Charleston for a second straight yr for camp.
“We did it yearly after I was an assistant with the Knicks within the ’90s, and we at all times cherished coming right here,” the coach stated. “Lovely place and an opportunity to get away from all of it. Gamers respect with the ability to escape. They will stroll and go to good eating places within the night and spend time collectively. The teambuilding side is nice.
Requested concerning the backup level guard rotation, Thibodeau touted the “versatility” of his choices.
He talked about a number of gamers however curiously skipped rookie Tyler Kolek.
“Now we have numerous guys that may play each with and with out the ball, and I feel typically that is the toughest factor to defend,” Thibodeau stated. “You wish to create the rhythm, then you definately wish to create the motion. Typically, like we did within the second half of final yr, we had Jalen off the ball and Josh [Hart] we launched numerous assaults final yr. Mikal is comfy with this, Cam [Payne]satan [McBride] it is good with each. So I actually like this versatility.
