Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith shared the unexpected shift in dynamics following the trade of his teammate Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. The two players, who were in the midst of their offseason training, found themselves on opposite sides of a fierce rivalry within seconds.
Finney-Smith and Bridges were deep into their training sessions, preparing for the upcoming NBA season, when the news of Bridges’ trade broke:
“We were meeting up at the gym, yeah. Actually, we were still training together the whole next two days after the trade happened,” Finney-Smith recounted.
The trade marked a significant turning point in their workouts.
“We went from ‘What we gonna do next year?’ to ‘We about to kick y’all ass,'” Finney-Smith humorously noted.
The camaraderie quickly turned into competitive banter, highlighting the intense nature of NBA rivalries.
“I’mma talk sh*t. We gotta break that Villanova sh*t up,” he added, referring to the strong connection between Bridges and his former Villanova teammates now playing for the Knicks.
Dorian Finney-Smith was training with Mikal Bridges when news of the trade broke. He said the vibes of their workouts changed the rest of the week:
“We went from, ‘What we gonna do next year?’ to ‘We bout to kick y’all ass… We gotta break that Villanova shit up.”
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) July 14, 2024
For Finney-Smith, the trade not only altered his training routine but also his outlook for the season. The Nets, now in a rebuilding phase, are looking to the future with a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent. Meanwhile, Bridges joins a Knicks team that has high hopes for the upcoming season, bolstered by the reunion of several Villanova alumni.
