Bridges’ Struggles Unacceptable: Knicks’ Future at Stake!

Bridges’ Struggles Unacceptable: Knicks’ Future at Stake!

The New York Knicks are on a roll, winning six straight games and aiming for a seventh tonight against the Pelicans. But not all is perfect in the Big Apple. Mikal Bridges has hit a rough patch, averaging just 8 points per game on 36% shooting from the field and a dismal 28% from three-point range over his last nine contests. This slump has sparked a fiery debate, with analyst Stephen A. Smith calling Bridges’ recent performance ‘unacceptable’ and questioning the massive trade that brought him to New York.

Hart Defends Bridges, Smith Fires Back

Teammate Josh Hart tried to defend Bridges, suggesting he’s unfairly criticized because he’s playing a role asked of him. Hart believes Bridges would be more efficient if he were allowed to take more shots. However, Stephen A. Smith was not having it. “I need Josh Hart to be quiet. Sit down,” Smith declared on ‘First Take.’ “This is business. You need to stand down.”

Smith argued that Bridges’ struggles are unacceptable, especially considering the steep price the Knicks paid to acquire him: four unprotected first-round picks, another unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap, and a second-round pick. That’s a total of seven draft picks. “Seven picks,” Smith emphasized. “But dude, they can’t even give you 10 points a game? That’s unacceptable.”

The Price of Mikal Bridges

Smith believes Bridges is better than his current numbers and is going through a slump. However, he stressed that even without the slump, Bridges’ current production isn’t good enough for the assets the Knicks surrendered. “The point is, even if he wasn’t, what he was doing, yes, what you did against Boston last year was good. That’s what they brought you there for. But they brought you there for more than that with the assets they gave up.”

The stakes are incredibly high. If the Knicks fail to win a championship or even make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, Smith believes the Bridges trade will be seen as the move that prevented their success. “We’re going to have a problem with that deal,” he stated. “Mikal Bridges, the former seven picks. Do you have any idea what the New York Knicks could have done?” He even suggested that players like Giannis Antetokounmpo might have ended up in a Knicks uniform if they had half those assets.

Brunson’s Role and the Future

Smith clarified that he wasn’t implying Jalen Brunson manipulated his way to New York or conspired to bring Bridges, his former Villanova teammate, to the team. Instead, he focused on Brunson’s financial decision to sign a contract extension a year early, saving the organization $113 million, which allowed them to pursue additional help. “When you make a decision financially to sign a contract a year earlier, that’s going to save the organization $113 million for them to go out and get additional help for you. And that additional help is your former college teammate and one of your best friends in the world.”

Despite the criticism, some argue that Bridges’ struggles might be linked to a change in coaching and role. “He spoke up. He recognized what the team needed,” one analyst noted. “He was an Iron Man, a Mr. Reliable.” However, Smith countered that Bridges isn’t an innocent bystander, suggesting he played a part in the coaching change by speaking out about the team’s needs.

What’s Next for the Knicks?

The debate continues about what Bridges’ value truly looks like. Smith wants to see a player who easily scores over 20 points per game and consistently provides elite defense, similar to his performance against Boston last year. “Plus, I need you being penciled in for over 20 a night because it can’t all be about Jalen Brunson,” Smith insisted.

The pressure is on. With the Knicks aiming for the finals, the performance of Mikal Bridges, acquired at such a high cost, will be under intense scrutiny. If they fall short, the seven picks traded for Bridges could haunt the franchise for years to come. As Stephen A. Smith put it, “If the New York Knicks don’t go to the finals, I’m telling you right now, this year, next year, we will be looking at this Mikal Bridges deal as the nail in the coffin that prevented the New York Knicks from going to the NBA Finals.”

Source: Stephen A. calls out Mikal Bridges' recent performance: 'THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE!' 🗣️ | First Take (YouTube)