“Change ain’t fun” – Mikal Bridges breaks silence on KD and Kyrie exit from Nets after getting swept 4-0 by Sixers

Despite Mikal Bridges’ stellar performance, the Nets could not overcome their lack of cohesion and depth. They finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 45-37 record and faced the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. The series was a mismatch from the start, as the 76ers dominated the Nets in four straight games, ending their season with a 96-84 win on Saturday.

Bridges was one of the few bright spots for the Nets in the series, as he averaged 23.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and four assists per game on 48/31/81 shooting splits. He had a career-high 30 points in Game 1 and scored 26 points in Game 3, but it was not enough to prevent the sweep.

After the game, Bridges spoke to reporters about his experience with the Nets and his outlook for the future. “Change happens, change ain’t fun. … We came in, everyday got traded, different team, different look. We gave it all we got. We got better. We won games.” Bridges said.

He also expressed his gratitude to his teammates and coaches for welcoming him and helping him grow as a player. “I learned a lot from these guys. They’re great players, great people. They taught me how to be a professional, how to handle adversity, how to compete at a high level.” Bridges said. He also vowed to be better next season and help the Nets contend for a title.

Also Read: Who do the 76ers play next? Details about Philadelphia’s opponents in Eastern Conference semis

Mikal Bridges: The Nets’ Unexpected Star in a Turbulent Season

The Nets had high hopes for this season with their Big Three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. But nothing went according to plan, as they dealt with injuries, drama, and trades that shook up their roster.

Durant, who was coming off a devastating Achilles injury, hurt his knee in January and missed six weeks of action. Irving, who had a tense relationship with the media and his teammates, asked for a trade in February after butting heads with the coach and Harden over their roles and responsibilities. Harden, who had forced his way to Brooklyn in a huge trade last year, struggled to find his rhythm and fit in the Nets’ system, putting up career-worst numbers in points, assists, and efficiency.

With their stars either out or unhappy, the Nets made a stunning move at the trade deadline and shipped Durant to the Suns for Mikal Bridges, a young and versatile wing who had shined with his defense, shooting and energy. The move raised eyebrows among many analysts, who questioned whether Bridges could fill Durant’s shoes and whether the Nets had given up on their title hopes too soon.

But Bridges silenced the doubters by becoming the Nets’ best player and leader. The former Villanova standout put up 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in 87 games in the 2023 regular season and playoffs, displaying his ability to score from all levels, create off the dribble and play off his teammates.

Bridges has one more year left on his rookie contract with the Nets before becoming a restricted free agent in 2024. He is expected to receive a lucrative offer from either the Nets or another team that values his skill set and potential.

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