Knicks Star Mikal Bridges Says He Will ‘Never Forget’ This Kendrick Lamar Album for Getting Him Through a Tough Time

Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks was still celebrating the team’s historic run to an NBA title on Monday and gave fans an IG Live to remember.

During one clip that was spliced out by Internet sleuths, Bridges got serious for a moment as he poured a shot of tequila when Kendrick Lamar‘s song “Count Me Out” popped up on his playlist and told fans why he loved the song and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers so much. “Let me let you know, let me be honest about this song, about this album, if y’all can hear me right now over this music,” he said before revealing that he was really down after his Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks in seven games during the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. “I was really depressed, bro. We lost to Dallas, I was in Phoenix, I was f—in’ depressed, bro. This album came out. I was just liftin’ bi’s and tri’s, chest, and that sh– got me through it. I love this f—in’ album, for real. I will never forget this album. Ever.”

He then continued to vibe and rap along to the chorus as Lamar rapped, “I love when you count me out.”

The combo shooting guard/small forward can relate to that very phrase, especially during this past season. The Knicks famously staked their future on Mikal when they traded six first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets in 2024 and signed him to an extension in 2026. However, fans have given him a nickname after the organization won their first championship in 53 years and he now goes by Mikal “F— Them Picks” Bridges.