In a blockbuster move, the New York Knicks have acquired guard-forward Mikal Bridges, making headlines by surrendering five first-round picks in the deal. This trade underscores the team's faith in Bridges, who has established himself as a formidable presence on both ends of the floor. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his shooting accuracy, particularly from beyond the arc.
A Rocky Preseason
Bridges, who is known for his proficient shooting ability, had a challenging preseason. In the finale against the Washington Wizards, he missed all ten of his three-point attempts. This game was not an isolated incident, as over four preseason encounters, Bridges managed to net only 2 out of 19 shots from three-point range.
Despite these struggles in preseason, Bridges brings a history of solid shooting to the Knicks. His career three-point shooting percentage stands at an impressive 37.5%. Since stepping into the NBA, Bridges has consistently maintained a shooting percentage above 36.1%, which provides a potent threat for opponents needing to guard the perimeter.
A Proven Shooter
Last season, Bridges set a personal best with 7.2 three-point attempts per game, converting 37.2% of those shots. This statistic reflects his ability not just to shoot frequently, but to do so with commendable efficiency. Moreover, in catch-and-shoot situations, a metric critical for timely offensive plays, Bridges attempted 5.6 shots per game. His conversion rate in these scenarios was 38.4%, making him the third-most efficient among players with similar shooting volumes.
A Journey of Adjustment
Mikal Bridges' efficiency as a shooter is not solely innate but is also a result of relentless effort and adjustment. Bridges himself remarked on his continuous work to refine his shot. "Ever since I got into the league," he shared, "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 quote reveals Bridges' dedication to reclaiming his shooting form, a journey marked by both persistence and resilience. The determination to overcome setbacks and refine his mechanics speaks volumes about his work ethic and commitment to improvement.
The Road Ahead for Bridges and the Knicks
The Knicks' investment in Bridges signals their belief in his potential to be a cornerstone player. His past performances affirm his ability to excel under pressure, and his continual adjustment work hints at even better days ahead. The preseason difficulties could well be temporary, a mere bump in the road of a long NBA journey.
As the regular season approaches, the Knicks and their fans will look to Bridges to integrate seamlessly into their lineup, capitalizing on his defensive strengths and rediscovering his shooting touch. The stakes are high, with significant assets traded to secure him, but if history is any indicator, Bridges is poised to rebound from a challenging start and deliver on the promise that the New York Knicks are betting on.