Nets fans are down so bad that they're turning on Mikal Bridges for... being honest? Yep, that's right! Bridges joined New York Knicks duo Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the latest episode of their podcast, 'Roommates Show.'
Hart has publicly tried to recruit Bridges to the Knicks several times since he was traded to the Nets at last year's trade deadline. He tweeted Bridges after New York took over Barclays on Jan. 23. The environment was fueled by Knicks fans, which understandably, Bridges didn't like.
Yo bro @mikal_bridges call me https://t.co/Kpku5RvLrr
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) January 24, 2024
On the podcast, Bridges talked about what it was like to hear his home arena erupt in cheers for the opposing team. He said it felt like the game was at MSG.
Hart said New York will always belong to the Knicks, no matter how good the Nets are. He compared it to Los Angeles, where he was a Laker to start his career. It doesn't matter what the Clippers do; LA is all about the Lakers. Hart told Bridges that the "vibes have to be tough" in Brooklyn right now.
Bridges nodded his head to what Hart said, which Nets fans didn't like seeing. Apparently, they wanted him to stand up for his team, even though Hart's statement was 100 percent true.
This is honestly pathetic by Mikal Bridges
— Cifer (@NetsCifer) February 16, 2024
I don’t care if they’re you’re friends, you’re the Nets franchise player, start acting like it! https://t.co/BK1urKoF17
Mikal Bridges catches heat from Nets fans for not defending Brooklyn
For starters, Bridges isn't the Nets' franchise player. Second off, it's not as if he talked down on the organization. He stated the truth, which is that the Barclays environment is very low-energy. Was he supposed to lie and say that it's fun to see fans of opposing teams take over Brooklyn's home court?
February 16th 2022 Rookie Cam Thomas goes into MSG leads the nets to a comeback rocking MSG wit brooklyn chants
— Deron Williams Burner (@ddO167) February 16, 2024
February 15th “franchise player” mikal bridges blatantly ADMITS the knicks run NY
I know who care about my franchise https://t.co/Lhc1VjfzA5 pic.twitter.com/1VYDxXA5wu
Mikal Bridges going on that Knicks pod and trying to shade the energy of Barclays is hilarious. The building is quiet because nobody in their right mind is wasting money to watch a team led by your trash ass. Like have you watched yourself try to dribble a basketball?
— Suge (@therealsjc_) February 16, 2024
Here's a good, rational take from a Nets fan.
Nets fans are truly overreacting to all of this.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 16, 2024
But if we want to be real, I’m sure Mikal Bridges wishes he was a Knick right now. That team is good & his friends are all there.
That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like Brooklyn, being a Net, or have belief in what the organization… https://t.co/0d9yBJna6N
Before the All-Star break, Brooklyn suffered a 50-point loss to Boston. That's deflating. It's unfortunate that the podcast episode came out the following day, giving Nets fans someone to put their anger on.
Brooklyn fans are completely glossing over the part of the episode where Bridges was asked if he ever has FOMO watching the Villanova Knicks. After the question was asked, Hart took off his sweatshirt to show off his Knicks shirt. Bridges said he doesn't have FOMO.
Josh Hart trying to subtly recruit Mikal Bridges to the Knicks is too funny 🤣
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2024
(via @Roommates__Show)pic.twitter.com/sGkZVwEkAN
To clarify, Bridges didn't say he wanted to be a Knick. He didn't say the Knicks are a much better team than the Nets (which is true). He didn't say he wanted to play with his former Villanova teammates. So, why have Brooklyn fans turned on him? Because he didn't object to Hart saying that the Knicks run New York. That makes perfect sense!
The Nets are down bad. Joe Tsai and Sean Marks would never trade the forward to the Knicks, but hopefully, for Bridges' sake, he ends up on a team where he can enjoy playing basketball again.