In a surprising offseason move, the New York Knicks bet their future on Mikal Bridges, acquiring the former top draft prospect by relinquishing five first-round picks. This bold transaction signaled the franchise’s immense faith in Bridges to be a cornerstone of their roster, even in the face of what many consider an overpayment by New York standards. Despite initial struggles in the preseason, Bridges’ track record suggests that this gamble could pay off in spades.
Preseason Woes
Bridges has shown immense potential throughout his career, boasting an impressive 37.5% three-point shooting percentage. However, his recent performance in the preseason finale against the Washington Wizards raised eyebrows, as he failed to connect on all ten of his long-range attempts. Over the course of four preseason games, his shooting slump was evident as he managed only 2-for-19 from beyond the arc.
"Ever since I got into the league, been trying to fix it back to when I was in college," Bridges admitted when reflecting on his shooting mechanics. "So it's been seven years of just every day. 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."
A History of Consistency
Despite his recent setbacks, Bridges' reputation as a reliable shooter remains solid. Even during difficult stretches, he has never allowed his shooting percentage to fall below 36.1% from downtown since entering the NBA. This consistency suggests that his current woes are likely just a temporary hurdle rather than a serious decline.
Last season, Bridges achieved career-high numbers with 7.2 three-point attempts per game, connecting at a 37.2% rate. His ability to maintain efficiency under increased workload marks him as a rare breed of player who can be depended upon to stretch defenses.
Strategic Positional Play
Bridges' effectiveness isn't solely dependent on volume shooting. He was the seventh-most active player in catch-and-shoot scenarios last year, attempting 5.6 shots per game. More impressive, however, was his conversion rate of 38.4% in these situations, ranking him the third-most efficient among his peers with similar or higher attempts. This skill highlights his strategic importance in floor spacing and offensive flow, elements that the Knicks undoubtedly considered when orchestrating the trade.
Looking Forward
The Knicks' aggressive move to secure Bridges places immense pressure on the player to rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations embedded in such an investment. His long-standing battles with shooting mechanics appear to be a focus area that, once resolved, could unlock even further levels of productivity.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Bridges can restore his shooting form and thus validate New York's significant commitment. If history is a reliable indicator, Mikal Bridges has both the work ethic and the talent to overcome his current challenges and become the key piece in the Knicks' ambition to return to the league's upper echelons.
Ardent Knicks fans are certainly hopeful that this transaction, bold as it is, will elevate them from playoff hopefuls to legitimate contenders in the coming seasons.