Building up Bridges
Nova forward works out for Knicks
Villanova junior Mikal Bridges has heard the chatter about being a perfect fit for the Knicks and he said he would embrace the challenge of playing full time at the Garden.
Bridges, who has won two NCAA titles with the Wildcats, said he believes he has had more success at the Garden than anywhere else.
“The Garden is a special place,’’ Bridges said Thursday after his workout with the Knicks. “I love the Garden. I had my best games at the Garden this year. I played really good at the Big East Tournament. … A lot of great things happened [for me] at the Garden. It’s beautiful. I love it.”
Bridges, a Philadelphia-area product, made the Knicks his third workout, after the Hornets and Bulls, who have sincere interest in him at No. 7. But the Knicks, who own the ninth pick, have been linked to the defensive-minded Bridges since February. Knicks president Steve Mills scouted the two-way forward closely at the Big East Tournament. Even team owner James Dolan showed up for the championship game.
“A lot of people tell me, ‘Knicks this, Knicks that,’ ” Bridges said. “I didn’t read into it in the offseason. … It’s just coincidence I played really well at the Garden. It’s like [people say], ‘Knicks, you’d be great here.’ ”
The 21-year-old Bridges is often compared to and mistaken for Miles Bridges of Michigan State. Asource told The Post’s Howie Kussoy that Miles Bridges will work out for the Knicks on Saturday.
Calling it “funny,” Bridges acknowledged the comparisons — and the confusion.
“I know him,’’ Mikal Bridges said. “A lot of people get me mixed up with him. He’s a good player, but we’re two different people with two different games.”
The Knicks need a small forward, which is one reason the two Bridges are squarely on the radar. Mikal Bridges is considered the better defender and 3-point shooter, and he likes the notion of playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
“I [fit] really well,” Bridges said. “The length with Porzingis and Frank [Ntilikina]. Defense, there is length on the ball. I [can] create space for [Porzingis] in iso. They can’t lay off me, so it’s an easy way to the basket.”
Bridges credited Villanova coach Jay Wright for making him “mentally tough” and a top-notch defender.
“Defense, of course, that’s where I take my pride,’’ Bridges said. “Ball-handling and play-making, people say I need a lot of work. I know I do, but it’s better than people think.”
Knicks coach David Fizdale also wants to bring in winning players and that’s all Bridges has known after being a key component to Villanova’s 2018 NCAA title.
“That winning mentality,’’ Bridges said. “[The] only thing I care about is winning and bringing home a championship.’’
Bridges said he will work out for the Cavaliers and 76ers, for whom his mother works as vice president of human resources.
“I have a lot of work to do,’’ he said. “I’m not close to being a finished product. I’m not going to stop until I’m the best basketball player I can be.”
Duke big man Wendell Carter will work out Friday for the Knicks. Alabama point guard Collin Sexton also worked out Thursday.