Mikal Bridges faced plenty of scrutiny over the past two seasons after the New York Knicks gave up five first-round picks to acquire him from the Brooklyn Nets.
Because of the hefty price tag and occasional inconsistency on offense, Bridges often found himself at the center of debates about whether the trade was worth the cost.
However, those conversations largely faded after New York captured the NBA championship.
According to The New York Post, Bridges and several teammates repeatedly referenced the draft-pick criticism while celebrating the team’s title-clinching Game 5 victory.
“F–k them picks” became a common refrain during the postgame celebrations.
“F–k ’em,” teammate Ariel Hukporti said. “Look what we got … We got him out of Brooklyn. Look at him now, you’re a champion. Look at him now.”
The championship provided validation for both Bridges and the Knicks’ front office, which paid a steep price to bring the versatile wing to New York.
Knicks Notes: Offseason, Bridges, Hart, Evans, Smith https://t.co/eLU7xAYWKV
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 16, 2026
