Mikal Bridges: Navigating a Rough Preseason with Potential and Perseverance
In the world of professional basketball, statistics often tell a story. For Mikal Bridges, those numbers underscore a career marked by reliability from beyond the arc. With a career three-point shooting average of 37.5%, Bridges has been noted for his accuracy and consistency as a formidable perimeter shooter. Remarkably, he's managed to maintain percentages never dipping below 36.1% in any NBA season, a testament to his steadiness in delivering when it counts.
Struggles Surface in Preseason
However, even the steadiest shooters can encounter rough patches, as Bridges experienced in a recent preseason matchup against the Washington Wizards. An uncharacteristic 0-for-10 performance from three-point range was the harsh reality, but it's worth noting that preseason is traditionally a time for players to experiment and adjust before the regular season tip-off.
Bridges' overall preseason numbers reflected similar struggles, as he went just 2-for-19 from deep over the course of four games. While such numbers are rare for a player of his shooting prowess, they offer a lens into the tactical and mechanical readjustments players undergo during this period.
The Mechanics of Shooting
Throughout his career, Bridges has faced hurdles with his shooting mechanics, issues that date back to his college days. In a candid reflection on his journey to refine his shooting form, Bridges shared, "Ever since I got into the league, I’ve been trying to fix it back to when I was in college, so it's been seven years of just every day."
The journey has been notably challenging, particularly following a form tweak after his transition from college to the NBA. "When I came out of college, I kind of tweaked it a little bit. And then my second year in the league, I had the hitch, and tried to build back from that ever since. So just trying to get it right. Pretty much it," Bridges elaborated.
The Nets Season and Beyond
Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges recorded a 37.2% three-point shooting efficiency on 7.2 attempts per game, a solid performance bolstered by his league-ranking of seventh in catch-and-shoot attempts. With 5.6 catch-and-shoot threes per game, he converted 38.4% of those opportunities, underscoring his capability as a critical offensive component under pressure.
A New Chapter with the New York Knicks
Bridges now steps into a fresh chapter with the New York Knicks, brought on amidst expectations and hopes riding on a hefty trade package that included five first-round picks. As the Knicks integrate Bridges into their roster, the franchise is certainly counting on his career-long consistency to bolster their perimeter offense, notwithstanding his recent shooting slump.
While the preseason struggles may give pause, Bridges' track record suggests potential for bouncing back. His continuous efforts to rectify his shooting mechanics reflect a dedication that has upheld his career until now. Knicks fans and league analysts alike will be closely watching to see how Bridges translates this diligence into his performance throughout the season.
Bridges' challenge is that of many athletes: to overcome cyclical setbacks and emerge stronger on the other side. It's a narrative of persistence, with the preseason serving as just one chapter in a much larger story. For Bridges, the journey remains ongoing, and fans across the league keenly anticipate the player who has defied the odds time and again.