As Brian Lewis writes Sunday, Mikal Bridges did not have leadership duties foisted upon him. After he was traded to the Nets — and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were sent elsewhere — he willingly became the team leader for the final third of the season and now in training camp, he’s taking another step. There is no doubt he is the man.
And he’s not just accepting the role. He is reveling in it.
“It’s just exciting,” he told reporters in Las Vegas where the Nets open preseason Monday vs. the Lakers. “I could talk about it all I want.