Mikal Bridges: A Promising Acquisition Under Scrutiny
The New York Knicks made a significant offseason move by acquiring Mikal Bridges, a decision that saw them parting with five first-round picks. This bold acquisition underscores the franchise's high expectations and confidence in Bridges' abilities to elevate their status in the league.
While Bridges' NBA career has been marked by consistent three-point shooting, with a career average of 37.5% from beyond the arc, his recent preseason performances raised eyebrows. In the finale against the Washington Wizards, Bridges struggled profoundly, going 0-for-10 from the three-point line. This lackluster performance capped off a challenging preseason where he shot just 2-for-19 from downtown over four games.
An Uncharacteristic Slump
Historically, Bridges has been a reliable three-point shooter; he has never dropped below a 36.1% shooting accuracy from this distance since entering the league. Last season, Bridges attempted a career-high 7.2 three-point shots per game, maintaining an impressive 37.2% success rate.
Part of Bridges' effectiveness on the court stems from his adeptness in catch-and-shoot situations. Last season, he attempted 5.6 shots per game in such scenarios and boasted a 38.4% conversion rate. This positioned him as the third-most efficient player among his peers with a similar or higher number of shots attempted, reinforcing his reputation as a sharpshooter.
Adjusting and Adapting
The downward trend seen in Bridges' preseason performance poses questions about potential adjustments he may be incorporating into his shooting mechanics. Reflecting on his journey, Bridges shared, "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 candid acknowledgment from Bridges provides insight into the challenges he faces as he works tirelessly to refine his form, aiming to recapture the consistency and precision of his collegiate days. Such a methodical approach indicates that while the current shooting slump is concerning, it may be part of a larger, long-term adjustment process.
Potential and Expectations
For the Knicks, the stakes are high. The team’s decision to exchange five first-round picks for Bridges underscores their belief in his potential as a pivotal player. His historical proficiency in high-pressure situations and his ability to contribute effectively beyond the arc are qualities that the Knicks covet and intend to leverage this season.
As the regular season looms, all eyes will be on Bridges to see if he can recalibrate his shooting and deliver the performance levels the Knicks are banking on. Given his past statistics and proven capacity for precision, there’s optimism that Bridges will rebound from this preseason dip. For now, the Knicks and their fans wait patiently, hopeful that this is merely a temporary setback on the path to success.
Ultimately, Mikal Bridges’ story is one of perseverance and adaptation. As he and the Knicks embark on the forthcoming season, the overarching narrative will hinge on his ability to overcome this recent hurdle and meet the lofty expectations that accompany his arrival in New York.