2020-21 Phoenix Suns Guy to Watch: Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is an elite defender. You won’t see him leading the scoring for Phoenix unless he’s the only one playing, but man is he fun to watch. He’s constantly aware of the ball to the point that it seems he may have some sort of radar for the thing. He’s skinny, borderline scrawny, but can somehow hang and bang with anyone in the game. For a particularly delicious highlight, go to the 1:10 mark of the video below. Bridges is tenacious and will insert himself under the rim against guys 5-6 inches taller. He simply does not care, Bridges wants the ball. On a team that features Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker, and now Chris Paul, there’s reason to believe Bridges will be tasked with being a walking headache to opposing offenses, then be on the lookout to swipe rebounds from unsuspecting bigs. Phoenix’s second unit is bleak, so it’s likely Bridges and the rest of the young Suns will be hounded to keep the team afloat.