SAN ANTONIO — Over the previous two seasons, there has been no larger lightning rod on the Knicks roster than Mikal Bridges.
He was an simple goal for his inconsistency, but largely because each of his performances was judged against the 5 first-round picks the Knicks used to get him from Brooklyn — picks that could have landed a celebrity, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But in the early hours of Sunday morning, Bridges wore a hat and shirt that declared him an NBA champion, taking sips of champagne after wiping away tears of pleasure. He was a very important piece of the Knicks’ first title team in 53 years, endlessly validating the commerce that helped produce perhaps the most significant champion New York has ever seen.
“You talking about f–k them picks?” Bridges responded when requested about the fixed criticism he’s obtained. “F–k ’em … I’m still here.”
If Leon Rose hadn’t traded for Bridges, he could’ve used these picks to purchase a higher expertise. But it’s unlikely he would’ve discovered a higher match.
The chemistry was exact, reuniting Bridges — a two-time nationwide champion at Villanova — with school teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, while bringing in a two-way expertise who would sacrifice pictures to contribute to a contender.
Mikal Bridges #25, getting a hug after the Knicks defeated the Spurs to win the NBA Championship. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Less than eight weeks in the past, Bridges was set to be a scapegoat, following a scoreless effort against the Hawks in which he was benched and the Knicks moved two losses from a first-round exit. But Bridges won the fanbase back, turning into unrecognizably aggressive on both ends of the flooring while taking pictures the lights out and shutting down a collection of All-Star guards during their 13-game profitable streak.
“The times I’ve been struggling, the fans were on me — the thing is about me, I want to always be better,” Bridges said. “So whatever, how they really feel, I always need to be higher. They hold pushing me and if they strongly believe that we have a likelihood every yr and if they strongly believe I have a likelihood to be higher, I’m already considering about that.
“I admire the powerful love. I know some followers might be a little bit crazier than others, but the ones that actually care, and need me to be higher, don’t cease now. Just hold pushing me.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges reacts after hitting a three-point shot in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Jason Szenes for The New York Post
“I know sometimes I’ll struggle, this and that, but just know I’m going to keep working. If they keep egging me on and talking a little s–t, I’m pretty tough, I’ll be all right.”
In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Bridges carried the offense when Brunson struggled, recording 20 factors, six rebounds and six assists in the highway win. In the championship clincher, Bridges was the second-leading scorer (14 factors on 5-for-10 taking pictures), including 4 assists and a late-game block.
The verdict is in.
“F–k them picks,” teammate Ariel Hukporti said. “F–okay ’em. Look what we got … We got him out of Brooklyn. Look at him now, you’re a champion.
“Look at him now.”
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