Did Phoenix Suns hold Mikal Bridges back? ESPN analyst slammed for Brooklyn Nets take
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New Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges went off for a career-high 45 points on Wednesday in his team's 116-105 win over the Miami Heat.
He went 17-for-24 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range, and grabbed eight rebounds, adding five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Bridges' performance awed NBA Twitter, but it also produced a take that left some Suns fans very upset.
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins took to social media after Bridges' game, saying that the Suns had "held back" Bridges and that "Phoenix was in the damn way!"
His entire post said: "It’s a difference between playing the right way and waiting your turn and being held back! Mikal Bridges with a smooth 45 piece wing dinner, 8 biscuits and 5 apple pies. Phoenix was in the damn way! Carry on…"
More:Phoenix Suns fans lament losing Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson in Kevin Durant trade
It’s a difference between playing the right way and waiting your turn and being held back!
Mikal Bridges with a smooth 45 piece wing dinner, 8 biscuits and 5 apple pies. Phoenix was in the damn way! Carry on…— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 16, 2023
The Nets acquired Bridges, a fan favorite in Phoenix, at the NBA trade deadline in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns.
Suns fans didn't just "carry on" in their replies to Perkins' post, slamming the ESPN analyst for his take.
After all, Bridges had been putting up very good numbers for Phoenix this season before his trade to Brooklyn.
'Emotional': Phoenix Suns players, coach react to losing Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson in blockbuster Kevin Durant deal
Was not held back Perk, Mikal was tremendous for the @suns. You did see what he averaged for last month with Book out didn’t you? We are not surprised. You should have tuned in more! You give up potential greatness to get already greatness. You should know! https://t.co/PoGFDxPbnG
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) February 16, 2023
Hey Perk sit this one out. L take.
— Suns Uniform Tracker (@SunsUniTracker) February 16, 2023
Insinuating that he was “held back” in Phoenix clearly shows me you never watched much Suns basketball.
— Brent Corrado (@BrentCorrado) February 16, 2023
i dont think mikal bridges would agree with you kendrick
— mustard gas and roses (@waxmonke) February 16, 2023
Weird angle to try and smear the Suns for literally no reason
— Chris (@chrisdigiusto) February 16, 2023
Perk this is a foolish take lol. Bridges is awesome and obviously a suns fan favorite. But he was not held back. He played 40 mpg most nights and was the #1 option when Booker was hurt for 2 months
— Codey Harrison (@CRayHarrison) February 16, 2023
What a joke take. Phoenix was huge in developing Mikal. So glad he is getting the opportunity on the Nets but Phoenix was never in the way man come on.
— cody (@codySuns) February 16, 2023
Mikal was the 3rd/4th option during the vast majority of his time in Phoenix. Now that he’s the 1st/2nd option, there’s obviously going to be an increase in his stats. It amazes me that you weren’t able to come to that conclusion as an “NBA Analyst”
— 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙯 🏜️ (@JACSteez) February 16, 2023
Stop this nonsense Perk.
— Nbaofficialstrash (@nbaoficialtrash) February 16, 2023
Where was that energy 48 hours ago when bridges was 2/8 for 9 points.
— Aaron Dommin (@adommin_84) February 16, 2023
What a horrible take lol. He scored 20+ in 12 of his last 15 games with PHX. Most of those games he had 18-20 FGA. His emergence this season WITH Phoenix was the reason they were able to get Durant.
— Nathaniel Smith® (@nateVsmith) February 16, 2023
🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡
— 🏀 rob ☀ (@sh0w_must_g0_0n) February 16, 2023
Many Suns fans lamented giving up Bridges in the deal for Durant, as they had seen him grow and develop since Phoenix traded for his draft rights in 2018.
It looks like that growth and development is going to continue in Brooklyn with the Nets, but we don't think it's because Phoenix held the wing back. It's because his time with the Suns prepared him to take the steps ahead.
Kevin Durant trade grades: Phoenix Suns receive rave reviews for deal with Brooklyn Nets
More:Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant trade could go down as the best trade in Arizona sports history
VOTE: Was Mikal Bridges 'held back' by the #Suns? (#ESPN analyst's take slammed: https://t.co/BlJOU4y1f1) @azcentral #WeAreTheValley #NetsWorld
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) February 16, 2023
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mikal Bridges 'held back' by Phoenix Suns? ESPN analyst's take slammed
