One by one, Knicks player after Knicks player expressed the same sentiment – they will be evaluated not on the basis of the regular season, but on what happens next.
This is as true for Mikal Bridges as it is for anyone else.
Last year, his largely disappointing regular season was mostly forgotten when he played some of the biggest games during the Knicks’ playoff run.
Jaylen Brown was fouled in the final seconds of overtime to seal Game 1 of the second round against the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum was hit in the final seconds to seal Game 2 of that series.
He had a game-tying tip-in with 35.1 seconds remaining in Game 6 of the first round against the Pistons, a game in which he scored 25 points.
“The playoffs are fun and real advanced and a lot of aggression, a lot of thinking,” Bridges told The Post earlier this month. “It’s just fun to be in those games. The crowds and everything gets elevated to another level. So it’s always fun playing playoff games. Just trying to do whatever it takes to win.”
Does he feel like he’s raising his game in the postseason?
“I would like to,” Bridges said. “I think every player wants that. I just try to be my best and try to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Bridges is facing more criticism than any other player on the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is probably second, but Bridges tops the list considering the Knicks gave up five picks in the first round to get him.
His regular season output – offensively, at least – doesn’t match that trade. But he has been vocal about making sacrifices offensively for the good of the team.
This is something that Josh Hart supported for The Post, claiming that Bridges could score more if he got more shots, but he hasn’t been asked to do so.
Coach Mike Brown has been clear on the offensive hierarchy — Jalen Brunson first, Karl-Anthony Towns second, everyone else after that. And usually OG Anunoby comes in at third, leaving Bridges as the fourth option.
If you compare him to this – various fourth down options around the league – rather than his trade compensation, his output looks much stronger.
“Sacrifice for your brothers,” Bridges said after practice Friday. “…putting your body on the line, doing whatever it takes to make the game successful to help your teammates.”
Fourth option or not, Bridges has shown the ability to make game-changing plays, regardless of how he performs at first. On an experienced Knicks team, he has as much playoff experience as anyone.
“It’s just something I know,” Bridges said. “It’s kind of my DNA.”
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