Bridges Aims to Rebuild His Shot Amid Preseason Struggles
For Mikal Bridges, recognized for his consistent proficiency beyond the arc, adjusting his shooting mechanics has been a career-long journey. The New York Knicks’ latest acquisition experienced a challenging preseason, highlighted by his struggle to find his rhythm from the three-point line. In a performance that surprised fans and analysts alike, Bridges missed all ten of his three-point attempts in a recent game against the Washington Wizards.
Despite this setback, Bridges' history as a reliable shooter is well-documented. With a career average of 37.5% from three-point range, he has never dropped below a 36.1% shooting percentage in any NBA season. This track record showcases his ability to contribute significantly to perimeter scoring, even amid inconsistencies.
Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges maintained a 37.2% efficiency from the three-point line on an impressive 7.2 attempts per game, cementing his role as a key offensive asset. Particularly notable was his performance in catch-and-shoot situations, where he ranked seventh in the NBA with 5.6 attempts per game, connecting on 38.4% of those shots. This positions him as one of the league's most dependable players in catch-and-shoot opportunities.
However, these statistics tell only part of the story. Since his college days, Bridges has faced a persistent challenge with the mechanics of his shooting form. Reflecting on his journey, Bridges shared, "Ever since I got into the league, [I've] been trying to fix it back to when I was in college, so it's been seven years of just every day." This dedication to refining his form has been a recurring theme, as he elaborated, "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 [I've] tried to build back from that ever since. So just trying to get it right. Pretty much it."
The preseason serves as a crucial period for players to experiment and adjust, often putting them outside of their comfort zones. Bridges’ preseason performance, where he shot 2 of 19 from the three-point range over four games, has provided a stark reminder of the challenges and opportunities this period presents. His current team, the New York Knicks, notably acquired him in the offseason, trading five first-round picks for the chance to integrate his talents into their roster.
As Bridges continues to adapt to new team dynamics and expectations, his commitment to perfecting his shooting form remains unwavering. This dedication, combined with his proven track record, suggests that his current struggles may simply be a temporary phase in his ongoing development. The Knicks and their fans will be eager to see how Bridges recalibrates his game to regain his usual sharpshooting form as the regular season approaches.