Denver Nuggets’ Cam Johnson watched close friend Mikal Bridges capture an NBA championship with the New York Knicks this season.
Undoubtedly thrilled to see Bridges reach the pinnacle of success, Johnson made it clear that he’s not quite ready to celebrate a Knicks championship himself.
Why Cam Johnson Won’t Cheer for the Knicks Despite Mikal Bridges’ Championship
The connection between Johnson and Bridges is one of the most famous bromances in the NBA, affectionately nicknamed “The Twins.”
During their time with the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets, they spent quality moments hosting events and running basketball drills.
On Monday’s “The Young Man and the Three” podcast, Johnson explained why he isn’t ready to cheer for the Knicks, despite Bridges being on the team.
“To see him [Bridges] have a moment like that, to see the tears kind of streaming down his face, it’s a pretty cool moment,” Johnson said.
“I’m really happy for him. As much as a former Net and somebody who is not far from removed, it’s really hard for me to ever cheer for the Knicks. I’m not really going to cheer for anybody, period,” he continued.
“But I cheer for Mikal and the guys that I know on the Knicks and the guys that I’ve developed a little bit of a relationship with. And they got good guys over there. So I can’t be mad about them winning.”
The Knicks’ championship parade is scheduled for Thursday, but Bridges has already been soaking in the celebration. The newly crowned champion even went live on Instagram, giving fans an inside look at the team’s locker-room festivities.
New York paid a hefty price to acquire Bridges, surrendering five first-round picks in the deal, and the move paid off in a major way. He played a crucial role in the Finals, helping contain the Spurs’ talented backcourt.
He maintained his reputation as one of the league’s most durable players, starting all five NBA Finals games and averaging 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during the series.
Johnson knows Bridges better than most and had nothing but praise for his longtime friend.
“He’s the Iron Man of the NBA,” Johnson said. “He does not miss anything. He’s always going to be on the court. He’s always going to be at practice. He’s always available. And he got a lot of scrutiny early on in New York, and they gave up a lot to get him. But it got to be all worth it now… he needs to enjoy his moment. And I’m really happy for him.”
As for Johnson’s own future, his name continues to surface in trade speculation. The Nuggets are reportedly exploring potential moves, and several possible destinations have emerged.
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the Chicago Bulls could be an ideal landing spot, as the team is looking to strengthen its wing rotation, and Johnson is well-equipped to fill the role.
