Mikal Bridges' Shooting Woes: A Deeper Look into His Preseason Struggles
For Mikal Bridges, shooting from beyond the arc has long been one of his strengths. With a career average of 37.5% accuracy from three-point range, Bridges has been a reliable sniper from deep since entering the NBA. However, recent performances, particularly in the preseason, have raised eyebrows as he missed all ten of his three-point attempts in a game against the Washington Wizards. This uncharacteristic slump has sparked discussions about what's amiss with Bridges' shooting mechanics.
A Career of Consistency
Throughout his professional career, Bridges has never dropped below a 36.1% three-point shooting percentage across any season. Last year, donning the Brooklyn Nets uniform, he maintained a solid 37.2% shooting efficiency on an ambitious 7.2 attempts per game. His performance within the catch-and-shoot category further exemplified his proficiency; at 5.6 attempts per game, he ranked seventh for attempts in the NBA and displayed remarkable efficiency by converting 38.4% of those chances. This made him the third most efficient player in this category among his peers.
The Hitch in His Game
Despite a promising resume, Bridges has grappled with mechanical issues in his shooting form since his college 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," Bridges revealed, reflecting on his prolonged struggle. This hitch, which has been evident in recent games and practice shooting drills, appears stubborn, refusing to be ironed out.
Even as an aspiring rookie, fluctuations in his shooting form were present. "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 elaborated, offering insight into the persistent adjustments he's made.
A Preseason to Forget
Notably, Bridges' preseason performance has been concerning. Shooting a mere 2 of 19 from three-point range over four games starkly contrasts with his usual output. This slump spotlights the discrepancies in his form and stroke consistency. While it’s not uncommon for seasoned players to experience shooting rough patches, the drastic nature of this decline has generated conversations within the NBA community, especially given his move to a new team.
A New Chapter with the Knicks
The New York Knicks, acknowledging Bridges' potential and past efficiency, invested heavily by acquiring him in the offseason, relinquishing five first-round picks in the transaction. For Bridges and the Knicks, reconciling this investment with on-court performance is crucial as the regular season looms. The stakes are high, with the Knicks banking on Bridges to deliver the shooting prowess that has defined his career thus far.
While the preseason is often seen as a period for experimentation and adjustment, it also serves as a litmus test for players to assess and fine-tune their skills. For Mikal Bridges, this period has underscored the need for continued refinement and possibly an overhaul of his shooting mechanics.
Outlook
Bridges' track record suggests that this slump may be a temporary testing phase rather than a permanent regression. As he endeavors to rectify his shooting form, the Knicks and their fans remain hopeful that his preeminent three-point shot will regain its luster. The NBA is a league of adjustments, and for Mikal Bridges, the road to rediscovering his shooting form could define his next chapter with the New York Knicks.