Mikal Bridges: Navigating the Arc of Shooting Challenges in the NBA
Mikal Bridges, an NBA player whose prowess from beyond the three-point line has often set him apart, finds himself in the spotlight for an entirely different reason this preseason. Despite a career average of 37.5% from three-point range, Bridges recently experienced an uncharacteristic cold streak, missing all ten of his three-point attempts during a preseason game against the Washington Wizards.
For a player who has never seen his three-point shooting percentage dip below 36.1% in any NBA season, this sudden falter presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Last season, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges managed a 37.2% three-point shooting efficiency on 7.2 attempts per game. Yet, a new chapter has begun for Bridges with his offseason move to the New York Knicks—a team that traded five first-round picks to acquire him. Adjustments inherent to a new team environment could be a contributing factor to his preseason performance.
Preseason games often serve as an experimental ground for players and teams alike, a time to iron out wrinkles and optimize strategies for the regular season. For Bridges, these games have illuminated ongoing battles with the mechanics of his shooting form, an issue traceable back to 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 shared, reflecting on the persistent effort to refine his technique.
Insights into Bridges' shooting form reveal a narrative of continuous adjustment. "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, drawing attention to the painstaking journey of reconstructing his shot. This ongoing process underscores both the complexity and the persistence required to maintain and enhance performance at the highest level of professional basketball.
Notably, even amidst challenges, Bridges' catch-and-shoot proficiency offers a bright spot. Ranking seventh in the NBA for attempts in that category with 5.6 per game last season, he converted 38.4% of those opportunities, underscoring a robust facet of his game that continues to pose threats to opposing defenses.
Bridges' preseason stat line of 2 for 19 from three-point range over four games might not seem promising at a glance. However, the underlying narrative of mechanical refinement suggests a work in progress rather than a definitive decline. The Knicks and their fans will likely watch with keen interest as Bridges seeks to bring his three-point shooting back to its characteristic form as the regular season unfolds.
In the world of professional sports, adaptation and growth are often as celebrated as raw talent and success. For Bridges, the endeavor to align his shooting mechanics offers a unique testament to resilience and dedication. As he continues to navigate the technical nuances of his game within the dynamic setting of a new team, the resolution of his shooting woes will be a storyline to watch.