Josh Hart, on behalf of Mikal Bridges, decided to take stock of the situation.
When Bridges’ start to the season with the New York Knicks was tumultuous, Hart quickly became protective, allaying concerns expressed about his teammate. He was the one who didn’t hesitate to exclaim “I told you so!” during Bridges’ successful performance. While Bridges maintained an Olympic calm, showing no sign of his initial difficulties, Hart expressed the emotions that Bridges did not wish to show.
“Because he’s my brother,” Hart said after Bridges’ 41-point performance on Christmas Day, explaining why he still felt the need to defend his teammate. “I know what he is capable of and what his mentality is. People need to realize that no player in this league performs in all 82 games. There are ups and downs… that’s why you have to keep calm. He did that. He is someone who works hard, and when you see someone who puts in the effort, you know what he can accomplish and what his character is. We knew it was only a matter of time before he found his level again. »
“And now that he’s found it, you don’t say anything.” Get out your apology forms. I’ll collect them during our next match. Give him the flowers he deserves, because he plays very well. Let these congratulations be as loud as the criticism. »
Together, these two Knicks wingers shine brilliantly on the floor. Concerns about Bridges should have disappeared long before he showered the New York public with baskets at Christmas. As for Hart, he is having a season that may well be the best of his career, posting near double-double stats after a period of uncertainty over his place on the team.
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Their relationship seems strong, which is evident when we see Hart fervently defending Bridges. However, this complicity was not always there. Hart and Bridges were teammates at Villanova between 2014 and 2017, and the same tenacity that Hart displays on the court, Bridges had to endure as a freshman.
“He was a real bully when I first came to campus,” Bridges, the youngest child at 18 months, half-jokes. “I had nothing against him. He didn’t like me at first. Maybe he was a little afraid of me, a 1.98m kid who was starting to assert himself. I think he had a slight complex. »
Hart admitted it wasn’t personal; he just didn’t like freshmen. This friction came from the fact that Hart did not like to practice, unlike Bridges and the other young people who needed additional instruction.
“It’s a process, especially at Villanova. There is the ‘Villanova way’, and freshmen don’t know how it works,” he explained. “They have to learn. For me, it’s ‘We keep moving forward.’ I didn’t want things to drag on. I also remained in this same state of mind with the rookies. I’m just a little more temperate now that I have kids. »
To encourage Bridges to practice with the same intensity as in matches, Villanova coaches often had to provoke Hart. Former coach Jay Wright challenged him in ways that pushed him to excel in unconventional ways.
Mikal Bridges helps Josh Hart on the court during Villanova’s Final Four game against Oklahoma in 2016. The Wildcats won the NCAA title and added a second in 2018. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Bridges, beginning his college career, was on the scout team and often found himself facing off against Hart, becoming the primary subject of Hart’s driven energy directed toward the coaches.
“Josh was terrorizing Mikal in his early days,” said assistant coach Ashley Howard. “Mikal wasn’t physically ready yet, while Josh was already a ruthless competitor. Over time, Mikal committed himself to improving his body, working on his skills, and studying the game. His match days were actually practices against Josh Hart, recognized as one of the fiercest players on the field . It was beneficial for Mikal. »
-Bridges competed with Hart too. His defensive abilities could sometimes counter Hart’s shots, which further annoyed the latter.
“Every time Josh saw his shot blocked, he came back for Mikal, whether on the counterattack or in the half court, in what turned into a fight of ‘big brother against little brother,’ explained the coach deputy Mike Nardi. “Josh was trying to send a message. This clearly helped shape the player Mikal is today. »
These matchups demonstrated Bridges’ potential in the eyes of the team.
“Now they’re fighting again,” Howard added. “We’re like, ‘Wow!’ We know that Josh Hart is one of the best players in the country, so if Mikal manages to hinder him, he really has something. This means our team is strong. »
Bridges and Hart were national champions at Villanova in 2016, and Bridges added a second title in 2018. Today, the two, along with OG Anunoby, make up one of the best power forward groups in the NBA.
They called themselves “Wing Stop,” but Hart came up with “Wingy Hut Jr.”, a nod to a fictional restaurant from the “SpongeBob SquarePants” cartoon. This trio is a vital support for the offense led by Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns, ranked second in the NBA. The performances of Hart, Bridges and Anunoby provide much-needed stability during a period of alternating levels of the two stars. Defensively, this trio, under the keen eye of coach Tom Thibodeau, has largely contributed to the rise of the Knicks in the defensive rankings in recent weeks.
The irony of the competitive tension between Bridges and Hart during their college years is that over time, their playing styles became more and more similar. Both move perfectly without the ball, excel defensively and love to communicate on the pitch. Imagining them as teammates at this level makes it obvious how they could be in opposition on campus.
However, at the time, neither of them suspected that these intense duels would prepare them for this: a return to the top for a basketball city in search of rebirth. At the time, their priority was simply to achieve victories at the highest college level, which they achieved.
Hart and Bridges went through many challenges together, often in the shadows, which enriched their careers and strengthened their friendship.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Howard concluded. “Mikal knew he had to raise his level so as not to be embarrassed by Josh. »
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Now, they’re shining in the NBA together.
Takeaways
- Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges have a brotherly relationship, exemplified by Hart’s constant protectiveness of Bridges.
- Hart is having a breakout season and is playing at almost a double-double level.
- The two players were teammates at Villanova, sharing moments of fierce competition that forged their friendship.
- They form a power trio with OG Anunoby, bringing balance and stability to the Knicks team.
- Their development as players shows that hard work and constructive competition can strengthen individual and collective performance.
In short, Hart and Bridges’ trajectory in the NBA highlights the importance of camaraderie in sports. As we witness their rise, it calls into question team dynamics and how successful rivalries can give rise to high-level performances. What could this mean for the future of the Knicks and their quest for success?
- Source image(s) : www.nytimes.com
- Source : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6026943/2025/01/01/ny-knicks-mikal-bridges-josh-hart-villanova/
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