Preseason Shooting Woes: Mikal Bridges’ Ongoing Quest to Perfect his Shot
Mikal Bridges, known for his prowess behind the arc, has been a notable figure in the NBA with a career average of 37.5% from three-point range. This impressive consistency has been a pillar of his game, rarely faltering across his seasons in the league. Despite this skill, the offseason has seen him struggle in unexpected ways, notably missing all ten of his three-point attempts in a preseason matchup against the Washington Wizards.
Reliability Under Pressure
Over the course of his NBA career, Bridges has steadfastly stayed above a 36.1% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Last season, while with the Brooklyn Nets, he maintained a 37.2% efficiency on an average of 7.2 attempts per game, illustrating both his volume shooting capacity and reliability. In catch-and-shoot situations, Bridges excelled, ranking seventh in the league with 5.6 attempts per game and converting a notable 38.4% of those shots.
This performance underscores Bridges’ established role as a dependable shooter for his teams, making his recent preseason slump somewhat alarming. He closed the preseason shooting a mere 2 of 19 from three-point range over four games.
The Mechanical Hurdle
Delving into his shooting mechanics, Bridges candidly described his ongoing battle with form adjustments that have persisted since his collegiate days. “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,” he reflects. The intent to rectify inefficiencies has been a constant in his career journey.
Bridges’ determination to perfect his shot has been frequently thwarted by what he describes as a hitch in his shooting form. “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,” he explained. His candidness about the struggle highlights a personal journey that intertwines with his professional narrative.
A New Chapter with the Knicks
In a significant offseason move, the New York Knicks acquired Bridges, investing heavily by trading away five first-round picks. This hefty transaction underscores the trust and belief the Knicks have in Bridges as a valuable asset, perhaps further amplifying the pressure for him to meet expectations.
The preseason period, often a time for players to experiment and adjust, has proven challenging for Bridges. The Knicks' coaching staff likely views this time as an opportunity to refine his form before the regular season commences, knowing his historical performance can translate into a key player role on the team.
Looking Forward
While the preseason figures may not reflect Bridges’ full potential, his track record provides assurance of a player capable of overcoming hurdles. As the regular season approaches, the Knicks and Bridges himself will be keen to ensure that these recent struggles are merely a temporary blip in an otherwise stellar shooting career.
Only time will tell if Bridges’ hard work on his mechanics will pay off, but his career statistics and determination suggest a promising season ahead. With the whole season lying before him, Mikal Bridges remains focused on clinching accuracy and delivering the performance fans and his new team have come to expect.