Team United states of america managed to bounce-back from a hiccup towards Lithuania on Sunday when they misplaced by a score of 110-104 to cruise previous Italy into the semi-last spherical of the event. Though the Individuals bought contributions up and down their roster, Mikal Bridges was the man who ended up major his team past Italy, main to some effusive praise from Jalen Brunson immediately after the recreation.
For considerably of the event, Anthony Edwards has been the man powering Workforce USA’s offense, but that was not the case in this one particular. Bridges was on hearth for considerably of this activity (24 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 8/11 FGM) and served turn this activity into a blowout from the get-go. Just after the victory, Bridges’ former Villanova teammate in Brunson talked about how huge of an affect Bridges’ elite two-way participate in has had on Crew Usa.
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Mikal’s Frame of mind >>>
🗣️ @jalenbrunson1 talks about his previous @NovaMBB teammate’s affect on both of those finishes of the ground
🇺🇸 #USABMNT #WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/tR8LgidW4T
— Usa Basketball (@usabasketball) September 5, 2023
Bridges was known generally for his protection in advance of acquiring traded to the Brooklyn Nets as element of the Kevin Durant blockbuster that took spot last time. Bridges ended up using a large action ahead for the duration of his time with the Nets (26.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 47.5 FG%), proving that he could be just as good on offense as he is on protection.
Positive ample, Bridges’ talent was on full screen in opposition to Italy, as he persistently outclassed them, regardless of the truth that he did not even participate in in 50 % of the recreation. Jalen Brunson is plainly a lover of Mikal Bridges’ style of perform, and with Crew United states formally in the semi-finals, they will want Bridges to continue undertaking at a large amount if they intend on going for walks away as the winner of the match.