The Nets vs. Knicks game has become quite a promotion for the Villanova basketball programme, and according to one of the former Wildcats, the standout of the group — and of the entire programme, in fact — is the point guard currently playing in Manhattan.
“The greatest player to ever come out of Nova. “He deserves it,” Nets forward Mikal Bridges said when asked about Jalen Brunson’s Villanova jersey being retired last week. “I think he should get a statue next.”
Paul Arizin, a 10-time NBA All-Star for the Philadelphia Warriors, had the best pro career of any Villanova player. But, when it comes to competing in the NCAA, it’s difficult to disagree with Bridges’ assessment — even if Brunson disagrees on the statue part.
“I think they should first give Coach Wright a statue,” Brunson said.
Bridges, Brunson, and Josh Hart won the NCAA championship together under coach Jay Wright. It was won twice by Brunson and Bridges.
Bridges, who now plays for the Nets, was regarded as the best prospect of the three, and this was reflected in the 2018 draught. He was selected tenth overall. Brunson was drafted in the second round, 23 spots behind Bridges, but is emerging as the better pro as an All-Star candidate.
That is not a criticism of Bridges, who was named First Team All-Defense and is a top-tier role player. In fact, by passing on Bridges in the 2018 draught, the Knicks made a huge mistake. They were linked to the 3-and-D specialist to the point where Bridges was looking for places to live in New York, but Kevin Knox was chosen instead.
Knox was a flop and arguably the worst mistake of Steve Mills’ tenure.
Bridges, a Philadelphia native (who cheers for the Rams, not the Eagles, so he wasn’t disappointed by the Super Bowl), was selected by his hometown Sixers but traded to the Suns on draught day.
“I assumed it would be either New York or Philadelphia,” Bridges said. “And it ended up being neither.”
Bridges was instrumental in Phoenix’s run to the 2021 NBA Finals, and he was also instrumental in the trade that sent Kevin Durant out of Brooklyn. It’s a new city and uniform, but there are some familiar faces on the opposing team.
“It’s sick. “Having them close is exciting,” Bridges said. “It’s just going to make games even tougher and the rivalry continue to build. But I’m glad for them.”
In terms of Brunson’s time at Villanova, the Knicks coach appears to agree with Bridges.
“I know Jay Wright,” said Tom Thibodeau. “For a long time, [former Villanova player] Ed Pinckney was on my staff, and we used to have these great debates about his teams. I’m also close to Patrick Ewing [who famously lost to Pickney’s team in the 1985 Final Four] and Ed, which is ironic.
“As a kid, I was a St. Bonaventure fan, and Villanova beat them in the Final Four. It’s amazing to see how the tradition has evolved over time. …. They’ve had fantastic coaches and players. When you look at their history, all of the professionals who have passed through there are impressive. But I was thinking about Jalen’s accomplishments, particularly his two national championships. You forget about all the other awards on top of the College Player of the Year.”
Former ‘Nova teammate Jalen Brunson, according to Mikal Bridges, is the best in programme history: ‘He should get a statue next.’
The Nets vs. Knicks game has become quite a promotion for the Villanova basketball programme, and according to one of the former Wildcats, the standout of the group — and of the entire programme, in fact — is the point guard currently playing in Manhattan.
“The greatest player to ever come out of Nova. “He deserves it,” Nets forward Mikal Bridges said when asked about Jalen Brunson’s Villanova jersey being retired last week. “I think he should get a statue next.”
Paul Arizin, a 10-time NBA All-Star for the Philadelphia Warriors, had the best pro career of any Villanova player. But, when it comes to competing in the NCAA, it’s difficult to disagree with Bridges’ assessment — even if Brunson disagrees on the statue part.
“I think they should first give Coach Wright a statue,” Brunson said.
Bridges, Brunson, and Josh Hart won the NCAA championship together under coach Jay Wright. It was won twice by Brunson and Bridges.
Bridges, who now plays for the Nets, was regarded as the best prospect of the three, and this was reflected in the 2018 draught. He was selected tenth overall. Brunson was drafted in the second round, 23 spots behind Bridges, but is emerging as the better pro as an All-Star candidate.
That is not a criticism of Bridges, who was named First Team All-Defense and is a top-tier role player. In fact, by passing on Bridges in the 2018 draught, the Knicks made a huge mistake. They were linked to the 3-and-D specialist to the point where Bridges was looking for places to live in New York, but Kevin Knox was chosen instead.
Knox was a flop and arguably the worst mistake of Steve Mills’ tenure.
Bridges, a Philadelphia native (who cheers for the Rams, not the Eagles, so he wasn’t disappointed by the Super Bowl), was selected by his hometown Sixers but traded to the Suns on draught day.
“I assumed it would be either New York or Philadelphia,” Bridges said. “And it ended up being neither.”
Bridges was instrumental in Phoenix’s run to the 2021 NBA Finals, and he was also instrumental in the trade that sent Kevin Durant out of Brooklyn. It’s a new city and uniform, but there are some familiar faces on the opposing team.
“It’s sick. “Having them close is exciting,” Bridges said. “It’s just going to make games even tougher and the rivalry continue to build. But I’m glad for them.”
In terms of Brunson’s time at Villanova, the Knicks coach appears to agree with Bridges.
“I know Jay Wright,” said Tom Thibodeau. “For a long time, [former Villanova player] Ed Pinckney was on my staff, and we used to have these great debates about his teams. I’m also close to Patrick Ewing [who famously lost to Pickney’s team in the 1985 Final Four] and Ed, which is ironic.
“As a kid, I was a St. Bonaventure fan, and Villanova beat them in the Final Four. It’s amazing to see how the tradition has evolved over time. …. They’ve had fantastic coaches and players. When you look at their history, all of the professionals who have passed through there are impressive. But I was thinking about Jalen’s accomplishments, particularly his two national championships. You forget about all the other awards on top of the College Player of the Year.”
