Mikal Bridges Opens Up About Being Traded To Brooklyn For Kevin Durant

In this episode, we welcome in OM3 correspondent and brand new Brooklyn Net, Mikal Bridges. But first, JJ and Tommy talk through Coach Of The Year and the give flowers to Boston Celtics coach, Joe Mazzulla. Then JJ addresses the comments from Dominique Wilkins and clears up any confusion on his feelings about Larry Bird, Bob Cousy and all the players that came before him. Then we get to Mikal's journey to becoming a Brooklyn Nets. Topics include: the moments after finding out about the trade, why he's going to miss Phoenix, why he thinks it actually makes sense that The Suns traded for Kevin Durant, what he's hoping to bring to The Brooklyn Nets, his big 45 point night, playing alongside Dorian Finney-Smith, how he's getting along with Jacque Vaughn and so much more.
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#nba #brooklynnets #jjredick

[@joshuapate5490]

"We all play for each oth - they all play for each other." That line hit me hard

[@markymark950]

Mikal deserves a lifetime of happiness. Just an awesome dude. Miss watching him play at Footprint Center.

[@jooniebewatchin]

This is what I needed to start my day! As a fan of almost 20 years now, we’re gonna miss you with the Suns Mikal, but you already know it’s your favorite player for a reason. You and Cam will always be loved by Suns fans and remembered for all your contributions.

[@ChenKhanwei]

He might come back to us down the road. In the meantime we support both his and Cam's play.

[@MrE_]

A fan of the suns for 20 years? That's rough buddy

[@austinherrington7049]

@@MrE_ You have no idea, man. There’s a reason all us Suns fans are losing our minds over KD. It’s been a looooooooong road.

[@MS-hh2ci]

@@austinherrington7049 man y’all ain’t win anything yet😂 the road is still ongoing

[@austinherrington7049]

@@MS-hh2ci Oh no question, I’m not even talking about winning a title. We’ve just had an owner for like 20 years that intentionally refused to build competitive teams because they’re expensive and he didn’t want to pay into the luxury tax. Every good Suns team this century has overachieved. Nash’s Suns had no business being as good as they were, and the Suns played out of their minds 2 years ago to make the finals. Now we have a new owner and he’s paying into the luxury tax to acquire talent and build a contending roster. Win or lose this year, our franchise is actually trying to win championships for the first time since the 90s, and that’s an amazing feeling as a Suns fan. I’ve been watching this team since Barkley and I’ve never felt like Robert Sarver wanted to win. We sold the franchise into obscurity when Colangelo sold the team to Robert Sarver. Now we’re finally back. Remember, when Sarver bought the team the Suns had the 4th best all-time franchise record. We’re now like 10th or something like that. That’s what happens when new ownership comes in and intentionally loses. We used to be a historic franchise, but we’ve been a joke since like 2004. Now we have new leadership who wants to spend money. We back!

[@Steelcityboy21]

Mikal will always be one of my favorite players. I miss him on the Suns but I hope he continues to have a great career in Brooklyn

[@meddlingmage23]

I bet on NBA and I was like bruh, the Nets ripped off the Suns badly on this trade.

[@bradymartin7648]

@@meddlingmage23 ripped off is insane

[@meddlingmage23]

@@bradymartin7648 they could've gotten KD for just Mikal and the pick. Didn't have to add Cam Johnson

[@Joe_Ma99]

@@meddlingmage23 they did give up a ton and will probably be one of the worst teams in a few years but if they get a championship from it then it would be worth it. We will have a better idea who won the trade in a few years. The fact that 4 1st round picks wasn’t enough to get bridges for Memphis shows you how much he is worth.

[@meddlingmage23]

@@Joe_Ma99 only way it would be worth is if phx wins the chip, and somehow gets bridges back in 2026, but his value would've gone up by then.

[@jonasjacobsen9702]

Gonna miss Mikal on the Suns man. He was ballin lights out and still is. Honestly probably an even better opportunity for him in Brooklyn. He can be the number 1 there now.

[@XChronicHash]

Mikal is such a wholesome dude, we miss him so much in AZ

[@blotterdowney8075]

it’s been like 4 days

[@mattfreeman2082]

I can see why y'all love him so much. Only been a net a few weeks and already has me wanting a number 1 Bridges jersey. I hope Nets take care of him, because as a Nets fans he's already nearly my favourite player

[@XChronicHash]

@@blotterdowney8075 its been 13 days dingus but who’s counting 😭

[@jayrobinson7627]

I miss him on my Sixers... And he wasn't even with us a full hour. Smh

[@blotterdowney8075]

@@XChronicHash 😆

[@erikripley9285]

when mikal talking about the All Star game and he said you play 82. No Mikal your the only guy who plays 82 lol

[@KingOfTheHighF]

Mikal will always be a top 5 favorite player for me! His time in Phoenix was amazing and I will follow his career closely until he retires!

[@Avglngth]

The fact he went and scored a career high after the trade bro 💪🏻💪🏻

[@roudyman777]

Cus he don't have Book or Ayton taking shots away from him anymore

[@russoulfree]

Nice analysis 😄

[@justinhyliu5763]

Love the rant in the beginning JJ. Can’t stand those who are too thin-skinned to distinguish objective observation from irrational hating. Keep up the great work!📈📈📈

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

Look we've lost or traded players before but this is different. Maybe it's because I remember Bledsoe tweeting "I don't wanna be here" and so when I see Mikal pin a tweet saying "I never wanna leave" idk it just puts things in perspective. I appreciate everything you did for the city of Phoenix Mikal. You and Cam Johnson will always be loved here.

[@kevtown20]

As a PHX fan i loved seeing Mikal smile 24/7. I hope he does well as a Net and hopefully comes back one day

[@greez499]

As phx fan it's surreal to See Mikel and Cam in different uniform. Sad they left Suns without title and so young. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@meddlingmage23]

That's why I thought this trade ripped off the Suns. You're gonna get 1 or 2 years of old Durant in exchange for your future. I don't want to be mean to Booker, but he got kinda mindfucked after that loss to Luka last year. I actually had Bridges rated higher in my book than Booker.

[@sylvesterman10]

@@meddlingmage23 this is a moronic take, my god

[@iCHAWY]

@@meddlingmage23 3 and a half years of Durant actually

[@yashasraman4871]

@@meddlingmage23 bro said Mikal > booker 💀

[@meddlingmage23]

@@yashasraman4871 hey. We'll see what happens by the end of the season.

[@Trighme]

Not enough words to express how much I hate that we lost Mikal. Live or not, his good vibes are always infectious. I know what we gained with his departure, I hope all Suns fans are aware of what we lost. Happy Trails Mikal! Brooklyn is lucky to have you

[@DNGR369]

This is the energy I've always hoped for from JJ. No-holds raw, unbiased, warm love and dialed-in enough to notice what makes a team great (e.g what Mikal does effortlessly due to personality and raw talent). Bravo tommy and JJ for creating this moment and being real

[@petermoon6559]

As Suns fan, it does still hurt when Mikal keeps saying "we" and corrects it to "them". If it wasnt someone like KD, this would have never been accepted from the fanbase. Even for KD, its barely acceptable. Hope he does well man, and hope the Twins return to Suns in the future somehow...

[@jaceygaither2581]

If the Suns don't WIN the whole thing, I think this trade will be universally reviled among Suns fans

[@Rednillasmhm]

God I miss him so much. We all wish nothing but the best for Mikal and Cam obviously. Book more than anyone knows we're already looking ahead and finding a way to get them back but in the time they will spend away from Phoenix I hope Cam grows and I know Mikal is gonna get that All-Star nod. And then maybe the band gets back together. Love you, Kal. Thanks as always for the content, JJ.

[@selanryn5849]

Mikal Bridges has played more games in the last four seasons than KD and Kyrie combined.

[@philbosh03]

Whats that mean lol bridges ain't that good idc how good.his availability is he ain't kd or kyrie🤣😂

[@pga972]

@@philbosh03 no one said he's better than KD or Kyrie. Let's see what he does as the number 1 option. So happy Kyrie is gone.

[@Twappin_]

ima miss the twins so much 💔 all the effort they gave us is very much appreciated i hope they go on to have amazing careers and maybe one day can come back 😢

[@royce4879]

Love Mikal, hope to see him in a Suns jersey again someday!

[@adriant2737]

Every team would love a Mikal Bridges in their team 🤯Another great interview!

[@matts6282]

Will miss Mikal so much in the valley. You can tell he genuinely loved it here. Hope he's back in 26.

[@mre695]

He will be. Phoenix has a propensity to bring players back. Cedric Ceballos, Steve Nash, Goran Dragic, Dan Majerle, Torrey Craig, Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Antonio McDyess. Oliver Miller, Ronnie Price, Mark West, Paul Westphal

[@lilmikey711]

Great video as always JJ and Tommy. I also appriciate the acknowledgment and love for the Thunder. Can’t wait to see a future SGA or Giddey video.

[@DeAndreDior]

So blessed to have him as a Net! Brooklyn Bridges 🔥🔥🔥

[@bmat2730]

JJ is super passionate about basketball. Of course since he doesn’t have the same opinion as most of the older generation in the media, he gets crucified. I love JJs takes. He isn’t even throwing shade. The way the questions and topics are worded on first take always makes JJ seem like a villain. It’s so dumb

[@LoganNagol]

Remember when he got clowned by Jerry West lol

[@millardfilmore1403]

Such a fire interview. Mikal has incredible insight. So fun to watch him play and speak

[@Leakky]

Big fan of mikal, wish him the best in his career. Great personality. Thanks for having him on

[@kadeshumway804]

Miss you in phoenix but happy with hour success in Brooklyn and awesome 38 point game and comeback win tonight

[@Anu-vc9tw]

i love when Mikal comes on the pod i hope to see more of him in the future and wish him the best of luck in Brooklyn they gonna make a lotta noise!

[@user-wu8sj3ee3d]

Nets are going to be my Eastern Conference team now that they have Mikail and Cam J. Good luck to them both and the Nets.

[@grabbingrain2238]

Lemonade stand bros, the twins, gonna miss Mikal and Cam for so many reasons but at least they’re together and give me a reason to support the nets

[@thomasveleba9261]

Been waiting for a JJ pod. Can't wait to cozy up after work with an ice cold beer in my hand to watch some NBA with a JJ pod going in the background

[@JJ-ju6ky]

Suns fan since the mid 70's. I am excited to have KD on the team, but losing Mikal HURTS. In all of my 45 years as a Suns fan, Mikal is one of my top 5 favorite Suns, all time. Good luck, Mikal!

[@Brofesional]

Bring on your boy Ben, he’s got a lot of time now since he’s not playing

[@khalilsmalling5884]

Knicks fan thats going to go to Barclays games to watch Mikal here, wish he were on my squad but glad he's, Jalen and Josh are reunited in NYC.

[@DwainDwight]

Mikal definitely a hero. super nice guy, no doubt good parents. very talented player. glad to see him in Brooklyn!

[@anybodywatching]

As a Philly fan every time I see Bridges I feel sick at what could have been

[@marcstarvaggi]

Oh we love him already. This franchise is his if he wants it!

[@marcstarvaggi]

I was at the 45 point game, so exciting to see him go that hard!

[@MacNif]

I doubt we will see it much, but this is the lineup I'd like to see: Cam Thomas Dinwiddie Bridges Cam Johnson Claxton

[@marcstarvaggi]

@@MacNif Vaughn doesn't trust Thomas. I can't say I blame him since the kid is pretty reckless still. What I'd really like to see is Ben Simmons play up to his ability in that PG slot

[@Astriker100]

JJ and Tommy’s take on physicality and comparing eras is spot on. Don’t change, lads!

[@carl3063]

Mikal’s growth shows the impact of having good PT on a team with better veterans/superstars can have once given a greater opportunity on a weaker roster. It’s almost like that development potentially created a new superstar we didn’t know would happen.

[@DANGOFORLAINE]

JJ u one of the only ppl keeping it real and being truly objective

[@user-xn4bq2vv6y]

As a Brooklyn Nets fan I just wanna say on behalf of everyone in the fan base.. we really wanted you there JJ lol. But I’m glad you’re thriving. My sister forced everyone in the household to root for Duke so I’ve been a fan for a long time lol

[@jurneewilliams6054]

kal is such a sweetheart! we miss you so much more, please come back to us!

[@wanstep]

Love JJ’s takes man

[@AnjoE_]

Mikal will always be loved in PHX. One of my favorite athletes to ever play here in the valley.

[@kaboshireacts]

Awh man you can't end on that lol... I need stories now from Mikal about Bizzy. But gonna miss you Mikal! Will be a fan of wherever you end up.

[@sealbreakers2685]

This kid is going places. I’ll never get over the sixers trading him on draft day.

[@aieshadaniels6104]

COTY: 1) Joe Mazzulla most difficult/high pressure situation keeping them on an upward trajectory despite chaos. 2) Mike Brown Low pressure turn around with improved team first time playoff bound in decades with no chaos. 3) Jack Vaughn Mid pressure surroundings keeping team on a leveled trajectory to reach playoffs after chaos.

[@meddlingmage23]

I actually think Jacque Vaughn is the best out of these three. He had the least weapons with Durant or Irving or both out most of the time, and a mentally crippled Ben Simmons. I just hate the stupid hair dye on his beard. He's gonna only go up from here with Bridges, Cam Johnson and (i don't like the inefficiency, but) Dinwiddie.

[@superflydonwa2727]

Was expecting a Mikal interview starting straight away not a 30minute rant 😂 Still entertaining af tho!!!!

[@diegobromfield]

I skipped it.

[@MacNif]

I skipped too

[@L4-295]

It’s always funny to watch jj and Tommy type back and forth to each other right in front of the guest lol

[@Littleweenaman]

31:51 brings up a good point about nyc dense cities

[@LegitLongevity]

His future is mad bright and I'm excited to get to see this man cook in Brooklyn.

[@henryd.h.7725]

The Biyombo shade at the end 🤣🤣

[@oogod586]

gonna miss my fella bridges so much man love him

[@ld3977]

Best podcast of all time

[@VonDelacroix]

You better come back to us someday Mikal, we miss you. Watching Nets games because of you.

[@bautcha]

We love you Mikal and CJ!

[@stylezblack314]

Love this dude and I already miss him on my team.

[@revan5293]

As a suns fan I love you mikal I hope you find your way back here. 💜

[@lcx3011]

Shout out to JJ for always being so clear on his points/thoughts/arguments/comments or whatever the case maybe. It is honestly a joke sometimes hearing some of the media's takes or narratives.

[@Roc_Official]

Interview starts at 30:43

[@YaBoyyJohnNBA]

Love Mikal's energy, good to see him hooping for the Nets

[@TooMuchNutz]

Messed up my guy ended up there. He deserves to be in a better organization

[@dadlifegaming3407]

I moved from Arizona where I grew up to Florida for a year and the mountains were one of the things I missed the most even though I never really just looked at them. Its odd but I get what he is saying.

[@toddpeterson5226]

Wanted to cry watching him talk about getting traded. Miss Mikal on the suns sooo much. Just pray he continues to make the most of his time in Brooklyn and that somehow he and cam can get back to the suns in 2026. With how good mikal will be by then, a team with Book, Kevin, and Mikal would be as good as any.

[@QuasiDillaDOOM]

i love when JJ goes on these rants about eras and tries to clear the air with legends. its crazy how media takes his takes out of context & not someone else thats also in the media. JJ's takes are literally the most fact based and unbiased vs everyone else in media that gives their opinions (except for maybe tim legler).

[@mondeitur]

Will be a Mikal fan forever more, hope he finds his way back to the valley

[@theflashkopatich]

Yo JJ love the pod. Great content. Question why don’t you ever talk about your time with the Milwaukee bucks. I remember being at some of those games that’s how I was introduced to JJ redick the sharpshooter !! Good times

[@rattstyerell1112]

Mikal is a great player and seems like a great dude. So humble.

[@matthewcherian3838]

Great pod once again. Gotta get Giddey on!!

[@TranquilKr]

Dang, people really love Mikal! Can't blame 'em, it's just so fun to watch this guy play!

[@jeffmiller3499]

Great guy. Took it way better than most people would lol

[@hmohngcheelee7549]

Mikael was just projected as a 3 and D wing, but he’s blooming into a 2 way all-star.

[@amparomace6695]

what a bright, likeable guy. good luck in brooklyn!

[@williamhadjis5401]

Lets Gooooo Mikal the goat

[@peterli7626]

How Mikal says " for them ", it hurts. Hope the twins nothing but the best

[@dailydoseofeuphoria8660]

Miss him and Cam, wish them nothing but the best with Brooklyn.

[@astacks9355]

Last question was funny it was quick and to the point 😭😭😭

[@jorgesandoval7668]

Miss Mikal so much on the suns 😢 I really hope he can be back soon one way or another

[@Billsfan2012]

Going to miss Mikal with Phoenix. Definitely one of my favorites. Going have to root for the Nets.

[@alexanderscott7477]

Man I’m going to miss Mikal as a Sun! Such a good dude!!

[@chel7236]

Positivity this morning💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏🙏🌻🌻🌻

[@jtothecass9859]

JJ getting worked up is amazing ! Lol

[@kevinsantiago9665]

The Brooklyn nets have a really good player for the next 10 years, seems like a great guy too

[@BigBoyDanny123]

Top man, 76ers fan but defo route for him rest of season

[@brandoMercs]

jj a walking W

[@Kirbysniper2]

We miss mikal 😭😭😭😭

[@iCHAWY]

Mikal will always be loved in Phoenix. Always. Hoping he comes back in 2026.

[@malicetransgression]

This man is too humble. Nothing but respect for everyone.

[@brennancrane6822]

Except Bismack! Get him away from Mikal!

[@elliotsobocinski3786]

mikal bridges interview starts at 30:40

[@bobchristie7464]

Mikal was such an integral part of the Suns' success. Only a player of KD's caliber can fill those kind of shoes. I think Kal will continue to grow & be an Allstar in the next couple years.

[@mynameisfatmike6742]

Really sad to lose Mikal in phoenix. Brooklyn are going to love him, and he's already ballin' out over there

[@brielynne39]

literally cried losing mikal and cam but i’m so happy they have a good opportunity to show out in brooklyn. suns better get the ring this year so cam and kal will get a ring too

[@naomflyon6628]

Comparisons between players from different eras reveals the differences between the eras; what was emphasized then versus what is emphasized now. The evolution of the game of basketball.

[@peterrossini6345]

Mikal is the iron man ! He never misses a game , Brooklyn nets fan are gonna be absolutely in love Woth this guy !!!

[@MVRBFree]

Good mention of the Draft misses from JJ. As a Sixer fan I thought Mikal Bridges game would’ve fit perfectly with Embiid plus he was a hometown kid.

[@agentbrandt]

Same sentiments. I thought when they drafted Bridges in '18, it was a perfect pick. They got Embiid as the center of their offense, Simmons as the facilitator and Bridges as the 3 and D guy every team wants. But Elton Brand bungled it and traded Bridges to PHX for Zhaire Smith. What a dumb move!

[@MVRBFree]

@@agentbrandt Same exact thoughts here bro! One of many bone headed decisions Elton Brand has made.

[@janelle7263]

JJ, there has to be a series where you watch film. I don't know how you do It without catching heat, but there will always be heat for stuff

[@jbb4105]

I really hope the Nets go all in on developing Cam and Bridges

[@rm367]

Yea i also dont really watch asg itself much but i love watching the as drafts😂🎉

[@adaio]

Man what did Bismack Biyombo do to Kal? HHAHHAHAAHHA

[@lucastunningley997]

"That's all me and cam care about, don't gotta worry about tmz. We here to hoop" now that's how all NBA players mindsets should be