Knicks Star Getting 'Itch' for Season

Mikal Bridges is looking forward to playing for the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 9, 2024

Oct 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

We are in the dog days of the offseason, but the New York Knicks are eagerly awaiting the start of training camp.

No Knicks player might be more excited than Mikal Bridges, who spoke about his desire to return to the court in the live Central Park episode of the Roommates Show, in which he was a guest star.

“Long offseason. I got the itch right now,” Bridges said on the show. “I’m ready right now. I’m active. It’s been too long.”

Bridges, 28, was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Knicks in late June for a package headlined by several future first-round picks. The trade for Bridges was a sign that the Knicks are looking to win as soon as possible, and they hope he can be the missing piece for the team.

Bridges knows what it's like to play for a rebuilding team like he did this season with the Nets, and a title contender, like he did when he was with the Phoenix Suns earlier in his career.

While Bridges didn't request to be traded by the Nets, he's definitely happy with his current setup. Not only could he stay living in New York City, but he gets to play on a contending team with several players he used to play with back in college at Villanova. Bridges won a National Championship with Josh Hart in 2016 and two with Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo in 2016 and 2018.

With Bridges aboard, the Knicks have solidified their status as a contender and his on-court fit is strong. The fact that he has a built-in chemistry with his teammates is the cherry on top of the sundae. But if he can win a championship with them, that will be an extra cherry.

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Published Sep 9, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.