This got really awkward, really fast (see video of Mikal Bridges talking about playing for the Sixers even after he was traded away).
After the city of Philadelphia, the campus of Villanova and generally everyone on the internet was celebrating the local product Bridges being drafted by the Sixers, the team dished him to Phoenix (see story).
The news especially hit home for the Bridges family, as his mom, Tyneeha Rivers, works for the organization as the vice president of human resources at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Sixers.
@mikal_bridges about to be living with his moms next year π #TheStayHomeKid
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 22, 2018
This tweet just about sums it up.
Mikal Bridges' Mom at the office tomorrow pic.twitter.com/yU2LEeTVT0β Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges and his mom were so excited when he got drafted by Sixers.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 22, 2018
His mom works for the Sixers!#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/dLYJCI5nTB
Upon being drafted, there was tremendous joy for a hometown kid playing for his hometown team.
The Mikal Bridges story is a heartbreaking tale about a mother and her Sun.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges and his mom were so excited when he got drafted by Sixers.
His mom works for the Sixers!#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/dLYJCI5nTBβ John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 22, 2018
I wonder how many Mikal tweets didnt age well...
— Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges with big hug for Jay Wright after getting drafted by Sixers with 10th pick.
Mikal had Villanova on inside of suit #Villanova βπΌ#NBADraft pic.twitter.com/IVKUAvrJh7β John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges with big hug for Jay Wright after getting drafted by Sixers with 10th pick.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 22, 2018
Mikal had Villanova on inside of suit #Villanova βπΌ#NBADraft pic.twitter.com/IVKUAvrJh7
Josh Hart, Bridges' former Villanova teammate, had the tweet of the night, too.
@mikal_bridges about to be living with his moms next year π #TheStayHomeKidβ Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 22, 2018
Suns are acquiring Mikal Bridges in a deal that will send Smith to Sixers, league source tells ESPN. Suns will send 2021 first-round pick via Miami in deal too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018
Then everything changed after about 46 minutes.
Mikal Bridges’ mom’s burner account is going to be real busy tonight.
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) June 22, 2018
Suns are acquiring Mikal Bridges in a deal that will send Smith to Sixers, league source tells ESPN. Suns will send 2021 first-round pick via Miami in deal too.β Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018
The Mikal Bridges story is a heartbreaking tale about a mother and her Sun.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) June 22, 2018
The reactions started pouring in.
The Mikal Bridges story is a heartbreaking tale about a mother and her Sun.β Bill Oram (@billoram) June 22, 2018
AHHHHHH SO HAPPY FOR @mikal_bridges and his family!!!
— Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges MOTHER WORKS FOR THE SIXERS. They drafted him, the NBA let he and his mother think he was playing for the Sixers....
And they traded him.
That's the single most incredible reverse karma moment in sports history.β Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) June 22, 2018
I hope Mikal Bridges’ mom makes things REAL awkward in the hallways at work tomorrow
— Kristen Balboni (@KristenBalboni) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges mom walking into the office tommroow #NBADraft18
pic.twitter.com/GLFwv6yTWVβ benson (@bluke123) June 22, 2018
Mikal Bridges mom walking into the office tommroow #NBADraft18
— benson (@bluke123) June 22, 2018
pic.twitter.com/GLFwv6yTWV
Mikal Bridges' mom's burner account is going to be real busy tonight.β Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) June 22, 2018
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I hope Mikal Bridges' mom makes things REAL awkward in the hallways at work tomorrowβ Kristen Balboni (@KristenBalboni) June 22, 2018
I wonder how many Mikal tweets didnt age well...β Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) June 22, 2018
All of them, Arch, all of them. At least he found the silver lining for his former teammate.
welp, still glad you got drafted Mikal!!!β Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) June 22, 2018