The Knicks' New Acquisition: A Deep Dive into Mikal Bridges' Shooting Struggles and Potential
The New York Knicks made a significant move this offseason by acquiring Mikal Bridges, a player whose potential intrigues both fans and analysts alike. The Knicks parted with five first-round picks to secure the swingman, hoping that his skill set and experience will bolster their roster. However, as the preseason games unfolded, glaring inquiries emerged regarding Bridges' current form, particularly from beyond the three-point line.
In a perplexing preseason finale against the Washington Wizards, Bridges faced an unusual struggle. He went 0-for-10 from the three-point line, raising eyebrows and concerns about his typically reliable shooting ability. Over the course of four preseason games, his stats showed a meager 2-for-19 from three-point range, a significant deviation from his known career standards.
Bridges, throughout his NBA tenure, has been hailed for his three-point prowess, maintaining a solid career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%. Even in his least successful season, his percentage never dipped below 36.1%, attesting to his consistency and skill from downtown.
Last season, Bridges not only increased his volume of attempts, averaging a career-high 7.2 three-point shots per game, but he also made a respectable 37.2% of those attempts. This ability to shoot with high volume and efficiency underscores his importance on the floor and offers a glimpse into why the Knicks were willing to invest so heavily in him.
Further illustrating his worth, Bridges was the seventh-most active player in catch-and-shoot scenarios last season, averaging 5.6 attempts per game. His proficiency in these situations was particularly noteworthy as he converted 38.4% of these attempts. This figure placed him as the third-most efficient among players with similar or greater volume, highlighting his adeptness in a key area of modern NBA offenses.
Despite his preseason struggles, Bridges remains focused on refining his form and regaining his shooting touch. In a candid reflection on his journey, he shared insights into his ongoing shooting adjustments: "Ever since I got into the league, been trying to fix it back to when I was in college. So it's been seven years of just every day. 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." This earnest revelation underscores not only his dedication to improvement but also the personal and technical challenges he faces in maintaining his distinguished shooting form.
The preseason statistics, worrisome as they may be, are just a piece of the puzzle for both Bridges and the Knicks. The regular season offers a fresh slate and an opportunity for Bridges to dispel doubts and demonstrate why he's considered among the league's more dependable shooters. For the Knicks, whose lineup will rely heavily on his shooting abilities to stretch the floor, there's optimism that he will rediscover his rhythm.
In the high-stakes environment of the NBA, where expectations run high and pressure mounts swiftly, Mikal Bridges' story is one of persistence, adaptation, and a clear vision for the future. The Knicks, through their considerable investment, have signaled their belief in his potential to contribute meaningfully. As the curtains lift on the new season, all eyes will be trained on the Madison Square Garden court, where Bridges will look to align his shooting form with his proven track record, aiming to become a pivotal component in the Knicks' quest for success.