Bridges' Shooting Struggles Highlight a Challenging Start for Knicks
The New York Knicks' acquisition of Mikal Bridges was seen as a bold move, with management parting with five first-round picks to bring the talented forward into the fold. However, as the preseason unfolded, there emerged unexpected challenges for the player touted for his sharpshooting capabilities.
Bridges, renowned for his proficiency from beyond the arc, faced an uncharacteristic dry spell in his preseason games, a worrying sign as the regular season looms. In a startling turn of events, Bridges failed to connect on any of his ten three-point attempts in the Knicks' preseason finale against the Washington Wizards. This capped a concerning preseason performance where Bridges managed only 2-for-19 from three-point range over four games.
Shooting Precision Called Into Question
The preseason struggles stand in stark contrast to Bridges’ established track record. With a career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%, Bridges has been a reliable perimeter option throughout his career. Until now, he had never recorded a season shooting below 36.1% from downtown, a testament to his consistent form.
Last season, Bridges elevated his game with a career-high 7.2 three-point attempts per game, maintaining a solid 37.2% hit rate. His effectiveness was further underscored by his prowess in catch-and-shoot situations, where he ranked seventh in activity with 5.6 attempts per game and impressively third in efficiency among peers, converting 38.4% in these scenarios. The current shooting woes thus appear to be an aberration rather than a new norm.
Striving for Form and Consistency
According to Bridges, the journey to refining his shot is ongoing. Reflecting on his transition to the NBA, he shared, "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. 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 candid admission highlights the challenges Bridges faces in recalibrating his shooting mechanics to restore his previous precision, suggesting that mental and mechanical adjustments might be at play.
Expectations Versus Reality
The Knicks continue to exhibit confidence in Bridges despite the early struggles, emphasizing his strong career averages and high basketball IQ. The organization trusts that his preseason performance will be a minor blip as he finds his rhythm. The stakes are high, with the team investing significantly in his acquisition as part of their strategy to become playoff contenders again.
There are numerous precedents of players who have rebounded from similar slumps, and Bridges’ track record suggests he has the potential to do just that. However, the New York fanbase, known for its impatience and high expectations, will be watching closely as the season progresses. As Bridges integrates further into the Knicks’ system and adjusts his shooting form, the hope is that he will soon resemble the sharpshooter that the franchise envisioned when orchestrating his acquisition.
In the context of a long NBA season, the preseason is often a time for experimentation and adjustment. Yet, for Mikal Bridges and the Knicks, these early games have highlighted the fine line between expectation and execution, serving as a reminder that in the NBA, both players and teams must constantly adapt and overcome challenges to succeed.