Mikal Bridges Joins the Knicks Amid Shooting Struggles
In a surprising move that has captured the attention of NBA fans and analysts, the New York Knicks recently traded for Mikal Bridges, relinquishing five first-round picks in the process. Bridges, known for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting, is expected to bring a unique blend of skills to a Knicks roster eager for improvement. However, his shooting form has hit an unexpected rough patch as the 2023-24 NBA season looms on the horizon.
The preseason was not kind to Bridges' three-point statistics. Amid a staggering 0-for-10 performance from beyond the arc in the preseason finale against the Washington Wizards, questions about his shooting consistency have taken center stage. Over the span of four preseason games, Bridges managed only 2-for-19 on his three-point attempts, prompting a closer examination of his shooting mechanics, which have been a topic of conversation since his college days.
Despite his recent struggles, Mikal Bridges maintains a respectable career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%. Since making his NBA debut, he has never shot below 36.1% from downtown, consistently providing a reliable perimeter option for his teams. Last season, he averaged a career-high 7.2 three-point attempts per game, converting 37.2% of those attempts. He was notably active in catch-and-shoot situations last year, averaging 5.6 attempts per game in such scenarios, which ranked him among the top seven in the league. Impressively, he converted 38.4% of his catch-and-shoot opportunities, placing him third in efficiency among players with similar or more attempts.
Bridges' shooting abilities have been a key part of his professional identity, yet they have also been a focus for personal improvement. 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."
Bridges' honesty about his shooting issues adds depth to the narrative of his current dip in form. His determination to refine his technique over the past seven years highlights the resilience he's shown throughout his career. While preseason struggles might raise eyebrows, they also offer an opportunity for Bridges to recalibrate his approach and adapt to the Knicks' system.
As the regular season unfolds, the Knicks will be keenly watching how Bridges integrates into their scheme and whether he can regain his shooting touch. His ability to stretch defenses with accurate shooting is critical for New York's offensive ambitions, aligning with their recent strategy of adding versatile players capable of impacting both ends of the floor. The investment the Knicks made in trading for Bridges signifies their belief in his potential to contribute significantly over the long term, both as a shooter and a defender.
Ultimately, Mikal Bridges' journey with the Knicks will be one to monitor closely. With a strong track record and the right support, there’s optimism he can overcome these initial hurdles. As with any athlete, form is temporary, and class is permanent, and Bridges has certainly showcased enough in his career to suggest this preseason blip could just be a minor detour on his path to success.