New Nets intel hints at rift between Mikal Bridges and core teammate

Monday morning, the Brooklyn Nets made the drastic decision to cut ties with head coach Jacque Vaughn just one year after agreeing to a contract extension with the franchise.

On the surface, it's rather apparent that his axing was quite warranted considering his personal follies as headman coupled with the club's lackluster record of 21-33, but, upon deeper diving, it seems that Sean Marks' ruling was much-needed in an effort to resolve some internal tensions and stave off any further damages.

During a recent episode of the HoopsHype Podcast, Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto revealed that there was a bit of bad blood between the likes of Mikal Bridges and coach Vaughn, specifically regarding how they schemed their game plan around the likes of the oft-injured Ben Simmons.

Mikal Bridges had issues with Nets scheming around Ben Simmons

"Behind the scenes, there were rumblings about players, including Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie when he was on the team and others who weren’t thrilled with Jacque Vaughn’s game plans centering around Ben Simmons, who’s been injured the vast majority of his time with Brooklyn."

- Michael Scotto

Of course, this report by Scotto shouldn't come as all that great of a shock, as Bridges himself has even gone on record to voice his frustrations about how the Nets coaching staff has proven incapable of adjusting their game plan with Simmons on the sidelines which, throughout his tenure in the borough, has been more often than not.

That said, this new intel provides a deeper understanding to the centerpiece's irritations.

With interim head coach Kevin Ollie, the hope now is that Brooklyn will be able to diversify their on-court play calling, which, in turn, could go on to benefit not only Bridges but guys like Cam Thomas and the recently acquired Dennis Schroder as well.

Brighter days may be ahead in Brooklyn!