The Knicks star admits his focus shifted toward Finals MVP honors while leading 2-0, offering a brutally honest look at how individual distractions derailed the Suns’ 2021 title.
The Phoenix Suns are approaching 60 seasons in existence as a franchise.
They are still awaiting a first-ever NBA title, having fallen short in three prior appearances in the finals. The most recent of which was a six-game series loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Phoenix lost four straight games after going up 2-0 in exhilarating fashion behind a well-connected and efficient effort. The four games that followed has created a plethora of "what-if" scenarios in hindsight.
One of those came to light recently, when former Suns star Mikal Bridges revealed his mindset after Phoenix went up 2-0 in the series in an appearance on the Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart-run "Roommates Show" podcast.
“In the back of my head think about it. I play D. First game I had like 17, then had like 28, 29 second game. Think about it, you’ve seen the NBA Finals. I might get MVP with that, right?”
“I’m in the back of my head like, just in case we win i’m like, keep averaging like 18, but then when (Devin) Book really had that 40 piece I was like well, they ain’t going to give it to me anymore.”
This revelation is an equally shocking and honest one. Bridges admitting that his focus wasn't on the game-by-game grind is one that is disappointing to a great degree, but it's simultaneously refreshing that the former fan-favorite is being brutally honest about being off equilibrium in the moment.
The loss in the finals served as a sobering moment in the history of the organization, but the team came back months later and put together a franchise-record 64 wins before flaming out in the playoffs.
The "what-if" factor over those two seasons is substantial, but the growth that Bridges, sharpshooter Cam Johnson, and others opened the door for the organization to make a bold move for Hall of Fame talent Kevin Durant in the aftermath of playoff flame-outs.
Bridges is basking in success himself, as he is fresh off of playing a key role in the New York Knicks winning their first NBA title since 1973 in June. He is a definitive part of the Knicks' core moving forward, and is still very fond of Phoenix despite having been departed from the franchise for three-and-a-half years.
Phoenix is set to meet Bridges and the Knicks on two occasions in the season ahead.
