Mikal Bridges’ breakout Nets season observed by NBA GMs

Mikal Bridges broke out final season upon his arrival in Brooklyn, and league executives have taken discover.

Whereas the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the deadline final season slammed the Nets’ championship window shut, a look on the annual NBA GM survey reveals that the league’s prime executives view Bridges as a stable rebuilding block.

Bridges was the highest-rated participant for Staff USA this previous summer season in the course of the FIBA World Cup.

And within the GM survey, he was voted because the second-best perimeter defender within the league, behind the Celtics’ Jrue Vacation, with 13 % of the vote.

Bridges additionally was chosen the second finest participant at shifting with out the ball, behind Warriors celebrity Stephen Curry, additionally with 13 % of the vote.

The 27-year-old Nets wing was additionally tapped because the fourth-most versatile defender within the league, behind former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Inexperienced and Bam Adebayo, with 7 % of the vote.

He additionally obtained votes because the almost definitely to have a breakout season and essentially the most versatile participant within the NBA.

Cam Thomas obtained a uncommon begin Monday night time, with coach Jacque Vaughn saying the 21-year-old guard has matured.

“For certain. And I believe generally the setting that you simply had been raised in — I’m speaking about basketball setting — has one thing to do with it additionally as a younger participant,” Vaughn mentioned. “So for me, it has come into his third 12 months the place I’ve seen him do the work within the offseason, I’ve seen him come into the gymnasium with a smile on his face and appreciating that he has the chance to play.

“Little issues like that, his communication, I believe total simply being a very good teammate. He’s grown from 12 months 1 to 12 months 3. And a part of that’s understanding how one can have an effect on the sport on each ends of the ground, be accountable on each ends of the ground. In order that was the explanation for beginning. He’s been doing it in camp and obtained rewarded.”

Middle Day’Ron Sharpe twisted his ankle simply two minutes into the Nets’ loss to the Lakers on Monday

“Yeah, sprained ankle. We’ll see what it appears like,” Vaughn mentioned. “Man, I’m crushed as a result of I do know he was wanting ahead to enjoying. I used to be wanting ahead to seeing him. He will get within the very first possession, goes and tries to get offensive rebound and turns his ankle attempting to field out. So a minimum of he was attempting to do the suitable issues, proper? So he’ll be OK. I really feel for him that he wasn’t capable of play, however we’ll see. We’ll see what occurs.”

Sharpe additionally downplayed the damage.

“I’m good,” Sharpe instructed The Put up