Shooting Woes: Mikal Bridges' Preseason Struggles Raise Eyebrows
Mikal Bridges has long been admired for his proficiency from beyond the arc, boasting a career average of 37.5% from three-point range. This reputation as a reliable shooter has been a cornerstone of his professional career. Yet, as the New York Knicks gear up for the upcoming season, concerns are beginning to swirl around Bridges' recent shooting slump, particularly his performance in this year's preseason.
The preseason is a notorious period for players to experiment and make necessary adjustments. However, Bridges' recent exhibition outings have illuminated significant discrepancies from his usual form. The talented forward has been struggling outside, demonstrated by a stark 2 of 19 from three-point range over four preseason games. His most recent performance, a game against the Washington Wizards, saw him miss all ten of his attempts from deep, a rare and concerning sight for a player of his calibre.
Bridges himself has been candid about the technical difficulties he's faced over his shooting career. "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 admits. It's a journey that suggests the adjustments and tweaks in his form have been ongoing and have occasionally strayed far from their intended path. "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 reflects.
Despite these struggles, Bridges' track record during regular NBA seasons suggests a potential for rebound. Never has he finished a season with a three-point shooting percentage below 36.1%, a testament to both his consistency and capability to overcome obstacles. Last season, while with the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges showcased his mettle by achieving a 37.2% efficiency from three on an average of 7.2 attempts per game.
A closer examination reveals that he was particularly effective in catch-and-shoot situations. With an average of 5.6 attempts per game in this category, Bridges ranked seventh league-wide, converting an impressive 38.4% of these opportunities. This level of reliability had made him a significant offensive asset and a reason why the New York Knicks were willing to trade an impressive package of five first-round picks to acquire him in the offseason.
His current shooting slump emerges as a vexing puzzle for the Knicks coaching staff as the team strategizes for the regular season. The preseason struggles have sparked discussions among analysts and fans alike, especially given the substantial investment from the Knicks' front office.
While preseason performances are often dismissed as experimental groundwork, they also cast light on potential issues that, if left unchecked, could seep into regular season play. Bridges' history of overcoming hurdles and the Knicks' commitment to honing his skill set may be the recipe for overcoming his current challenges.
Bridges remains determined to rectify his shooting mechanics, a journey he's been on since his college days. As the Knicks prepare for the new challenges ahead, they and Bridges both will undoubtedly be eager to see if this persistence pays off, turning preseason struggles into regular season triumphs. His resilience and potential comeback will be a story to watch as the NBA season unfolds. The anticipation hovers, as spectrums of brilliance await a chance to rekindle their light on the grand stage of the NBA.