Mikal Bridges Faces Shooting Struggles But Remains Determined
Mikal Bridges has built a reputation in the NBA for his proficient shooting abilities, particularly from long range. With a career average of 37.5% from three-point land, he is recognized for his capacity to make defenses pay from beyond the arc. However, a troubling preseason performance this year has raised questions about his shot consistency heading into the regular season.
In a preseason matchup against the Washington Wizards, Bridges went 0-for-10 from the three-point line, an uncharacteristic cold streak that hints at deeper mechanical issues that have haunted him since his college days. Despite possessing a career average that impressive, Bridges has been candid about his struggles with forming a consistent shooting motion.
"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 explained. His comments are a window into the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines many professional athletes. The desire to refine and solidify his shooting form is an ongoing narrative in Bridges' professional journey.
Interestingly, despite these ongoing challenges, Bridges has managed to maintain respectable shooting numbers throughout his career. He has never dipped below 36.1% from three-point range for any season in the NBA. Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, he clocked in a solid 37.2% success rate on 7.2 attempts per game. In the catch-and-shoot category, Bridges ranked seventh for attempts in the NBA at 5.6 per game, converting 38.4% of those opportunities.
The recent acquisition of Bridges by the New York Knicks, who traded five first-round picks to secure him, speaks volumes about their faith in his abilities. Yet, the preseason statistics cast a shadow over this optimism. Over four preseason games, Bridges hit just 2 of 19 attempts from deep. While preseason is often seen as an experimental phase where players tweak and adjust their styles, such a performance will surely be a focus of discussion among the Knicks’ coaching staff and management.
Adding to the narrative is Bridges’ self-awareness regarding his shooting mechanics, a nuance he's grappled with since his collegiate days. "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 candidly expressed.
These insights into Bridges' personal struggle with his shooting form unveil a subplot of persistence and self-improvement that runs parallel to his on-court achievements. While the pressure of preseason statistics might loom large, especially with a fresh start in New York, Bridges seems to remain focused on perfecting his craft. The regular season may yet offer him the chance to overcome preseason struggles and reaffirm his status as a reliable shooter in the league.
The journey of an elite NBA player is often filled with peaks and valleys. For Bridges, the ability to make adjustments and embrace periods of experimentation will be crucial. As the regular season approaches, the Knicks and their fans will be eager to see if Bridges’ determination and potential can culminate in a resurgence of his proficient shooting form.