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Mikal Bridges shows support for Monty Williams amid Detroit Pistons' tough season
From the 2019/20 season to the first half of the 2022/23 season, Mikal Bridges was coached by Monty Williams. They formed a close relationship where they could talk to each other about basketball and things outside of the sport.
Those four years were crucial to Mikal's development, and through all the experiences and times they've spent together, it's obvious that Bridges loved playing for Monty. Now that they're on different teams, with the former Villanova Wildcat playing for Brooklyn while the other is the Detroit Pistons head coach, they are in wildly different situations.
"Definitely wouldn't want that on anybody, especially not Mont. Such a great dude who works so hard and really good coach. So it's tough," Mikal said after their win against the Pistons. "That's my guy. Obviously, I don't want him losing like this"
Detroit has been having a tough season
The 2023/24 season began positively for the Pistons, securing victories in two out of their initial three games, with the first matchup against the Miami Heat showing promise despite a close 102-103 loss; however, following this promising start, Coach Williams and the team entered a challenging phase.
Since that point, the team has faced defeat in every subsequent game, creating a challenging period for both the organization and its fan base. In anticipation of the December 23 matchup against the Nets, Detroit had a favorable opportunity to secure a victory, given Brooklyn's ongoing five-game losing streak. However, they struggled to contain Mikal Bridges, who scored a game-high 29 points.
Cade Cunningham has been a star for the Pistons, but they have failed to notch a win in each of the back-to-back games. The former No. 1 overall pick has shown emotion after losses because he knows his team is much better than what their record shows.
Mikal knows what happens to a struggling team
Early in his career, Mikal was part of a lackluster team during his first two years with the Suns. It was not until Chris Paul arrived in Phoenix that they became a serious threat not only for a Playoff spot but for a championship, too. Now, he's a focal point of the Nets' system under coach Jacque Vaughn.
Enduring such a challenging stretch is difficult for a seasoned coach, but the Pistons have a promising future ahead. Despite their youthful roster, the team has foundational pieces in players like Cade, Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren. They just need a little time to click.
