After Mikal Bridges joined the Knicks’ collection of Villanova University players in a surprise trade on Tuesday night, reactions from enthusiastic fans quickly spread across social media, but it didn’t surprise anyone.
“First Take” personality Stephen A. Smith recorded his reaction to the shocking move about 30 minutes after his ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski belatedly reported that the Nets, who did not have a 2024 NBA Draft pick, had agreed to ship Bridges across the East River to the Nets in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a protected 2025 first-round pick via the Bucks, an unprotected 2028 pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick.
“Yes!” Smith Share on X Video The camera was shaking with excitement. “Now, I know everybody’s sitting there saying, ‘Mikal Bridges is a good player, but they don’t have KD or anything like that.’ Cut all that out, OK!”
“Chemistry is important. Reliability is important. Consistency is important. Defense is important. Brother can shoot. Brother can play. Sorry, but I like this move by the New York Knicks. He’s young. He’s energetic. He’s experienced. He’s good defensively and he fits right in with the culture of the New York Knicks. That’s all I’m looking for. That’s all I’m looking for.”
“I crawl before I walk. Last year I crawled. Now I walk. And I’m getting closer to sprinting. I think I still need one more piece! But I’m moving in the right direction. Good! Good! Good! Go New York! Go New York! Whoa! I crawl before I stand. Here we go.”
However, Smith hasn’t always been as enthusiastic about Bridges, or the other Villanova players the Knicks have added to their team over the past few years.
Bridges joined Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart as key players in coach Jay Wright’s two seasons, winning a national championship together in 2015-16.
Additionally, all three except Hart won again in 2018.
And after the 2016 race, Smith said: “Villanova doesn’t have any players capable of playing in the NBA.in a “First Take” clip that resurfaced Tuesday night.
He later retracted his statement after watching the Knicks’ undeniable tenacity and relentless effort in the playoffs despite injury woes that nearly ruined their season.
Branson, too, has become a star in New York in his own right.
He was named to his first All-Star team last season, averaging a career-best 28.7 points per game and finishing fifth in voting for MVP, Clutch Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year.
