Mikal Bridges was traded to the Knicks this summer for one of the most expensive trade packages in NBA history, with the Knicks having to pay extra to make a trade with the Nets for only the sixth time in franchise history. Kendrick Perkins spoke on ESPN and backed Bridges to be for the Knicks what Jrue Holiday was for the Celtics last season.
“He could be what Jrue Holiday is for the Boston Celtics, that’s how elite this young man is on both ends of the floor. We saw it with the Phoenix Suns when Devin Booker and CP3 made their run to the NBA Finals.
“Just remember, a couple of seasons ago, he averaged 26 points. I know he played only about 27 games, but we’re at a point where I don’t even look at him as a role-player, he’s a guy that’s an All-Star caliber player.”
"[Mikal Bridges] could be what Jrue Holiday is for the Boston Celtics."
👀 @KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/PxeUuZO10S
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 16, 2024
Bridges is coming off averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists as the No. 1 option on the Brooklyn Nets. Perkins citing the 27-point average Bridges enjoyed after being traded to the Nets in 2023 isn’t really a fair barometer given the Nets barely won games in that spell and because Bridges felt out of place in a No. 1 option offensive role.
Bridges could be considered the Nets No. 1 option last season as well, which explains why the team wasn’t really competitive among the best in the Conference. He’s better suited to playing his role as a high-utility 3-and-D player who can be a POA defender and a second or third option on offense.
Jrue Holiday might be one of the best guard defenders in NBA history, so equating his impact on a Celtics team that already had its offensive weapons in place to Bridges on the Knicks isn’t fair. The Knicks will need more production from Bridges offensively than the Celtics need from Holiday.
Holiday averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season. He has the luxury of locking into being the absolute best guard defender he can be, primarily because the Celtics don’t need him to score.
We saw the Bucks trade him away because he sunk as a No. 2 scoring option in the 2023 Playoffs, so it’ll be interesting to see if Bridges gets to lock in on being a pure defender like Holiday or if he’ll need to elevate his game to be an elite two-way wing in the modern NBA.
The Knicks have plenty of elite defensive weapons next to Bridges as well, creating a well-balanced team where no one player will be expected to produce at a level beyond their capabilities. The Knicks have the weapons and versatility, with Bridges one of the perfect players for their system given his motor, hustle, and the ability to be an offensive threat.
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