Knicks Star Among Most Valuable Role Players

Mikal Bridges could be the best role player in the NBA for the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 21, 2024

Apr 10, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges has yet to make an All-Star team in his career, but he has gotten the star treatment this offseason.

After being acquired in a blockbuster deal for five first-round picks, Bridges has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA.

CBS Sports writer Jasmyn Wimbish believes Bridges may be the best role player in the NBA.

"Bridges has now been traded for Kevin Durant and, over the summer, was dealt to the Knicks for five first-round picks. That's the kind of deal you make for franchise-altering talent, and while you may be thinking Bridges isn't that, he's among the most valuable role players a championship-contending team can have. The price for Bridges has been so high because of his elite, versatile defense, matched with 3-point shooting that teeters on automatic. He thrives with or without the ball in his hands, can guard your favorite team's best perimeter player and will make you pay if you leave him open on the 3-point line," Wimbish writes.

Bridges will form a dastardly defensive duo with OG Anunoby, but the difference between the two is that the former is more versatile on offense.

When he was playing with the Nets, Bridges had more offensive responsibility than anyone else on the floor. That will change with the Knicks as he's expected to defer to either Jalen Brunson or Julius Randle to be the primary creator on the offensive end.

His decrease of offensive responsibilities will allow Bridges to give more effort on the defensive end, which subscribes to head coach Tom Thibodeau's style of play.

If Thibodeau can help unlock a new level of defense for Bridges, the Knicks will improve and either close the gap on the Boston Celtics or overtake them entirely in the Eastern Conference.

Make sure you bookmark New York Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published Sep 21, 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.