Mikal Bridges Faces Shooting Struggles, But Remains Resolute Amid Preseason Challenges
Mikal Bridges, known for his sharpshooting prowess from beyond the arc, has been navigating a challenging preseason. The new addition to the New York Knicks lineup has experienced an unexpected slump in his famed three-point shooting efficiency, a concern for the team that invested heavily in acquiring him this offseason.
Bridges, who boasts a career average of 37.5% from three-point range, was a pillar of consistency for his previous teams, having never dipped below a 36.1% shooting percentage in any NBA season. Last year, as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges recorded a 37.2% efficiency from long distance, averaging 7.2 attempts per game. His reliability in this department is well-documented, especially in catch-and-shoot scenarios where he ranked seventh in the NBA with 5.6 attempts per game, converting 38.4% of those opportunities.
However, during a recent preseason matchup against the Washington Wizards, Bridges turned in an uncharacteristically cold performance, missing all ten of his three-point attempts. This game was part of a broader preseason trend that saw him connecting on only 2 of 19 attempts from deep across four games.
While preseason outcomes are often viewed through the lens of experimentation and adjustment, Bridges' shooting slump has drawn attention to a longstanding issue with his shooting form. The 27-year-old forward has been candid about the mechanical inconsistencies he has faced since his college basketball days. "Ever since I got into the league," Bridges explained, "been trying to fix it back to when I was in college, so it's been seven years of just every day."
Bridges' journey to recalibrate his shooting form has been ongoing. He noted a tweaking of his form when transitioning from college to the professional level, which introduced a "hitch" in his second NBA season. "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," he said. "So just trying to get it right. Pretty much it."
The Knicks, who traded five first-round picks to bring Bridges on board, remain confident in his abilities and potential to rectify his shooting issues. They view his preseason struggles as part of his adjustment to a new team environment and playing system.
As any seasoned player or coach will affirm, the preseason serves as an opportunity to iron out such kinks, allowing players to recalibrate before the games start to count. For Bridges, this period is crucial in refining his technique and regaining the shooting touch that has made him a valuable asset in the league.
There are encouraging signs that Bridges can shake off this rough patch. His shooting mechanics, while in progress, have not hindered his past performance too drastically, indicating that with continued focus, he can return to form. Moreover, his resilience and dedication to improving his shot speak volumes about his determination to contribute effectively to the Knicks' aspirations this season.
Bridges’ past statistics, along with his expressed commitment to overcoming his shooting hurdles, suggest he will soon find his rhythm. As the Knicks prepare for the regular season, watching how Bridges adapts and overcomes his early shooting struggles will be a storyline closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. In the high-stakes world of professional basketball, persistence often paves the way for performance, and Mikal Bridges is certainly not short of perseverance.