Mikal Bridges Strives to Overcome Shooting Struggles in Preseason
Mikal Bridges, widely regarded for his reliability from beyond the three-point line, is facing an unexpected challenge as he adjusts to his new surroundings with the New York Knicks. Despite a career average of 37.5% from three-point range—a testament to his sharpshooting abilities—Bridges has faltered in recent preseason performances, noticeably missing all ten of his three-point attempts against the Washington Wizards.
Bridges' precision from deep has been a consistent element of his game, as evidenced by his refusal to fall below a 36.1% shooting percentage in any NBA season. Last year with the Brooklyn Nets, he showcased a robust 37.2% efficiency on 7.2 attempts per game, further proving his calibre. Within the catch-and-shoot dimension where reflex and accuracy are paramount, he ranked seventh for attempts across the league, converting 38.4% of his 5.6 efforts per game. This highlights a significant prowess, one that his recent struggles obscure.
During the preseason, however, Bridges found himself adrift. In four games, his long-range success was a mere 2 of 19, suggesting not merely an off phase, but potentially underlying mechanical issues that have troubled him since his collegiate days. Bridges openly reflected on this longstanding challenge, stating, "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."
The Knicks have heavily invested in Bridges, acquiring him during the offseason in a high-stakes trade involving five first-round picks. Such a move underscores the organization’s faith in Bridges' ability to operate as a cornerstone player. Yet, preseason is traditionally seen as an opportunity for players to experiment and make adjustments. For Bridges, the period is proving critical as he works through adjustments to his form.
Mechanical issues seem to be a persistent theme in Bridges’ shooting career. According to Bridges, “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.” This admission underscores the ongoing challenge Bridges faces—a hurdle not uncommon in professional sports where even slight mechanical adjustments can disrupt performance.
For the Knicks, balancing patience and expectation for Bridges will be key. Underseen elements of the preseason, like experimentation and adjustment, play a crucial role in ensuring seasoned players like Bridges find their rhythm before the intensity of regular-season games. The gamble with Bridges involves not just fostering his shooting excellence but nurturing his overall contribution to the Knicks.
As the Knicks inch closer to their first regular-season game, eyes will be on Bridges, whose shooting evolution will be closely monitored. His journey reflects the ever-present tension between expectation and execution in professional sports, compelling fans and analysts alike to engage with the unfolding narrative. The pressure is on, but so is the opportunity for redemption—a storyline as old as the game itself.