Mikal Bridges Faces Shooting Struggles Amid Preseason Adjustments
Mikal Bridges, a player known for his proficiency from beyond the arc, is currently navigating some turbulent waters. Famous for boasting a career average of 37.5% from three-point range, Bridges has missed the mark lately with a performance that has both fans and analysts talking.
A Proven Sharpshooter
For much of his career, Bridges has been a consistent threat from downtown. Remarkably, he has never shot below 36.1% in any NBA season, a testament to his reliability as a shooter. Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, he maintained a 37.2% efficiency from three-point range over an average of 7.2 attempts per game. This impressive performance was highlighted by his contribution in the catch-and-shoot category, where he ranked seventh in the league with 5.6 attempts per game, converting at a commendable rate of 38.4%.
A Bumpy Preseason
However, the transition to his new team, the New York Knicks, has been less than smooth in terms of shooting performance. During the offseason, the Knicks showed their faith in Bridges' potential by acquiring him through a trade involving five first-round picks. Despite this endorsement, Bridges hit an unexpected bump, going 2 for 19 from beyond the arc across four preseason games, including a game against the Washington Wizards where he missed all ten three-point attempts.
Preseason games often serve as a testing ground for players to adjust and experiment. But for Bridges, the spotlight has intensified on his shooting mechanics, an element of his game that has long been a work in progress.
Mechanical Adjustments and Persistent Challenges
Bridges has been open about his ongoing battle with his shooting form, an aspect of his game that has been under scrutiny 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. The journey to perfect his form has been a challenging one, with modifications along the way. "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 shared.
These mechanical hitches—while not uncommon among professional players—pose unique challenges for a sharpshooter like Bridges, whose reputation is partly built on his precision and ability to deliver from long range.
Adjusting to New Heights with the Knicks
The Knicks are banking on Bridges rediscovering his rhythm and contributing significantly as the regular season looms. His previous ability to perform efficiently in high-pressure situations suggests that, with the right adjustments, he could quickly revert to form. The preseason may not have been kind to Bridges' stats, but its role as a period for experimentation and recalibration cannot be overstated. His ability to adapt and overcome these setbacks will be crucial for his and the Knicks' success in the coming season.
In the ever-evolving world of professional basketball, even the most seasoned shooters face setbacks. For Mikal Bridges, the upcoming season offers a new chapter with the New York Knicks, a chance to hone his skills, adjust his technique, and reaffirm his status among the NBA’s elite marksmen.