Since the start of this season, New Yorkers and analysts have made an interesting observation. While the Knicks struggle to adapt to the post-Thibodeau era, Mikal Bridges is the kind of guy Mike Brown needs. That showed unusually against the Bulls tonight. Despite winning 128-116 and improving to 3-3, there were moments when the Knicks players were on edge. Some might think Bridges is stepping on toes, but some felt Bridges had a right to hold his team accountable. His new coach himself made his thoughts clear on what he thought.

The moment that stirred Knicks nation on X.com occurred during the game. It was only Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges chasing after Matas Buzelis, but they couldn’t stop Isaac Okoro from catching the rebound and scoring. Bridges reacted immediately to that by yelling at OG Anunoby and the rest – he either says “Come back man,” or “Get the f— back,” it’s the commentators who relayed it.

Bridges was seemingly frustrated with the lack of transition, or even effort, from his team, and it boiled over. While it was not directly addressed in the post-game presser, Coach Mike Brown did speak about hiccups within the team.

“We had a stretch where they hit some threes, and we just went to switching everything, and our guys did a nice job once we went to doing that to take away the pick-and-pop threes. And then we got a little sloppy in the second half, and we settled down and closed the game the right way.”

Brown further enabled Bridges’ sentiment by saying, “So, again, I still think our ceiling is a lot higher, but I think, you know, you guys can see some of the potential on both ends of the floor. This group is more than capable of playing fast. Like, we scored 128 points and probably could have scored a few more in my opinion, if we were taking care of the ball like we’re capable of.”

This comes right after Brown told his players to demand accountability from each other. Exactly as he said, Bridges held his teammates accountable on the spur of the moment. It did seemingly stun others for it to happen during the game.

Mike Brown walked onto the court and stared at the players Bridges was scolding. Even announcers were a bit surprised. And Bridges’ teammates were grateful.

Mikal Bridges is holding the Knicks accountable

Only a few weeks ago, Mikal Bridges was on the trade block had Giannis Antetokounmpo had been available. How things have changed. Josh Hart was asked about that moment, and he laughed it off. “It’s surprising me man, I ain’t see this last year. He’s playing his game. He’s not worrying about anything else. He’s being himself.” Perhaps the change in Bridges has been Mike Brown.

Despite getting a scolding from Mikal, Anunoby was dubbed the “defensive player of the game,” by Brown. But since Tom Thibodeau’s firing and the arrival of Mike Brown, the Knicks aren’t looking like the team that made it to the ECF last season.

At least Brown acknowledged that work needs to be done. “It’s going to be a process. And we’re still not where we need to be offensively, but guys are starting to understand how to space the floor.” If analysts are right, 29-year-old Bridges will make that possible for the new coach.

“Mikal, he was one of the guys that was here with the young guys earlier in the summer. So he was getting reps at this, you know, back in August and September. So he’s probably a little ahead of the curve in terms of, like, some of the other guys that may have been injured and missed a chunk of time. And so once we get everybody up to speed, it just won’t be Mikal being able to make that read. We have basketball players that can pass, dribble, and shoot. So, it should be all of us that should be able to make that read very well.”

That’s a massive expectation as much as praise. At least it appears Bridges is up for it.