ORLANDO, Fla. — Ironman Mikal Bridges reached his 500th consecutive game with Sunday's 100-91 win over the Magic, a streak that began in his rookie game against the Suns.
Considering recent circumstances, this is one of the most impressive accomplishments in the NBA. There are very few players these days who can play 82 games in a row, let alone 500 games.
No one in the league is even close.
“Did he play 500 games in a row?” Karl-Anthony Towns asked in amazement. “Oh, we had to drug test him.”
Still, Bridges isn't even halfway through AC Green's streak of 1,192 consecutive games played. This is a sign of a different era, and given the prevalence of load management in Adam Silver's NBA, Green's record is much safer than Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points.
The only potential threat is the bridge.
“Everyone talks about offensive traits and talents, defensive traits and talents, but the most impactful, greatest trait is availability, and he has that and he's shown that,” Towns said. said. “Shout out to him. That's a big accomplishment.”
Bridges said durability was instilled in him by his mother and Villanova coach Jay Wright, but there were some dangerous moments along the way.
“When I was in Phoenix, I hyperextended my knee,” Bridges explained. “We were really nervous because we were going to San Antonio. It hurt. … And then when we were in Brooklyn, I did something to my wrist. I thought I broke my hand. That night. I couldn't sleep. It was terrible. And when I woke up, it was just my wrist.”
Thibodeau, a longtime admirer and friend of Bill Belichick, praised the move to North Carolina, naming the former ESPN official but calling him the “greatest coach of all time.” is.
“I think [going to the NCAA] It’s probably more attractive than ever,” Thibodeau said. “Universities are hiring GMs now. Like the great Adrian Wojnarowski. St. Bonaventure. Shout out to the Father.”
Thibodeau's father, Thomas Sr., attended St. Bonaventure and was a devoted supporter of the Bonnies basketball team. Wojnarowski recently shocked the basketball world by quitting his job as a prominent news breaker at ESPN to become the basketball GM of his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.
Thibodeau, on the other hand, never considered changing jobs.
“I didn’t really have any plans other than I knew I wanted to be a coach,” he said. “So whether it was an assistant, a college coach, an NBA assistant, an NBA head coach, I loved the job. I loved the teaching and the leadership and being part of a team and an organization. They're all great jobs if you love what you do. I saw Bill say that. It's not a job if you love what you do. I’m lucky to be doing it.”
Belichick could have been in the same market as Thibodeau, but the Jets reportedly rejected Belichick's interest in the vacant coaching position.
