MIKAL BRIDGES grew up in Philadelphia watching ANDRE IGUODALA and EVAN TURNER hoop for his hometown Sixers. Now, he’s joining Point Forward’s co-hosts to walk them through how that local middle schooler became a rising star for the Brooklyn Nets. Mikal goes deep on his journey, including: Leading Villanova to two national championships; helping morph the Phoenix Suns into a contender; what he learned from Devin Booker and Chris Paul; his relationship with Deandre Ayton and their viral on-court verbal exchange earlier this season; and his new role as the face of the Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, Mikal opens up about both his aspirations (becoming an All-Star) and his challenges (draft night disappointment). This is a rare opportunity to really get to know a guy who is more inclined to just let his game do the talking.
The Point Forward podcast, hosted by former NBA teammates and current best friends Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner, uses basketball as a pretext to honestly and openly talk about business, culture, race, tech, and, yes, sports. Specifically, over the course of weekly hour-long episodes that drop on #pointforwardfriday, Iguodala and Turner, discuss and debate current national and global events in a way that is meant to resonate with everyone from the Silicon Valley elite to teenagers on the south side of Chicago.
Timeline:
00:36-01:52 Mikal watching Andre and Evan when he was younger
01:52-04:15 Getting drafted by his hometown then immediately traded in the media room
04:15- 08:21 Earning his playing time in Phoenix
08:21-12:04 The huge jump to becoming the go-to guy in Brooklyn
12:04 -14:49 Where Mikal got his confident mindset: Villanova University
15:00-17:00 Where do you see yourself right now? Championship, All-Star, and Keeping learning
17:00-17:50 The USA Team could use Mikal Bridges 👀
17:50-23:15 Pound-for-pound, Mikal Bridges is the best player in NYC.
23:15-25:00- “You gotta get a stylist” 🤣
25:00-27:46 The criticism of a big market: “I’m built to handle this”
27:46-33:00 GUNS N BUTTER: Becoming self-aware of bullying in middle school
33:00-35:30 How to build your BRAND in the NBA
35:30-37:46 Playing in the city against former teammate from Villanova, Jalen Brunson
37:46-38:29 Sustaining the joy in basketball
Point Forward Podcast:
YouTube: @pointforward
Everywhere: https://smarturl.it/pointforward
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/pointforward
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51Z46Bp…
Follow for more from Point Forward:
https://linktr.ee/pointforward
9 Comments
I love Mikals game so much! Efficient and effective on both sides! It's the long ass arms hahaha
Future Blazer legend Mikal Bridges
I will forever be indebted to Mr. Wayne Gorman, you have changed my entire life. I will continue to preach on your name for the world to hear that you save me from huge financial debt with just a small investment. Thanks so much Wayne Gorman
Future warrior
Iggy for Mikal and 5 first rounds. 😜
Love Mikal. Great vibes. Would love to see tyrese haliburton on here too
idk fam i think gms would rather bridges over brunson or randle. randle nice but he is who he is by now, mikal might be all nba third team for next few years.
All this talk about Brunson & Randle being better & Mikal barely having assists, his 40 point performances being “inflated” because of todays league Iggy throwing shots at Mikal whole interview 😭
this pod is so great man. iggy and evan are great communicators and the conversations are excellent