If Mikal Bridges has a big season, Knicks fans should thank the Nets

Although the two teams share a city and division, it’s hard to argue that the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have a real rivalry. Fans may not take too kindly to each other, but crosstown animosity alone isn’t enough to sustain a fierce competition. For that to happen, both teams need to be good at the same time, and that hasn’t happened much over the last half-century.

Instead, the two squads have enjoyed a frosty relationship over the years, and this is evident with the lack of trades they’ve made together. In fact, there have only been five between the organizations , four of which occurred from 1978-83. The most recent one, however, may prove to be the most impactful as the Knicks received Mikal Bridges while the Nets got a host of draft picks.

In addition to bringing in yet another former Villanova teammate — the Knicks now have four — New York has added a dynamic forward who some believe could be the missing piece for a long-awaited title. And, if Bridges does put them over the top, he says fans should thank none other than the Brooklyn Nets.

On a recent live "Roommates" podcast, which is hosted by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Bridges was asked how he feels about ditching the Nets for the Knicks. At the mere mention of Brooklyn, fans at the event started booing, but Bridges quickly silenced them by praising his time with the other New York team, saying his game grew there , according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

“Y’all should appreciate Brooklyn because it made me better,” he said to the crowd.

The stats prove this, as Bridges’ stint there was the best of his career. In the season-plus he played in Brooklyn, he averaged nearly 23 points per game along with 3.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds, which are all well above his career averages.

While the NBA season is still over a month away, Bridges is eager to get going.

“I got the itch right now,” he said. “I’m ready right now. I’m active. It’s been too long.”

And as for teaming up once again with his old college pals? He’s excited for that as well, calling the ‘Nova Knicks “psychos” and adding that he is “happy to be here.”