Mikal Bridges: Navigating the Arc of Shooting Mastery
Mikal Bridges stands as one of the more reliable long-range shooters in the NBA, boasting a career three-point average of 37.5%. This marksman has consistently demonstrated his prowess from beyond the arc, never dipping below a 36.1% shooting efficiency during any NBA season. Last year, his three-point shooting was further validated while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, where he maintained a 37.2% efficiency with 7.2 attempts per game.
However, even the most skilled professionals can encounter rough patches, a reality Bridges confronted during a recent preseason stretch. In a game against the Washington Wizards, he uncharacteristically missed all ten of his three-point attempts. Throughout the preseason, he went 2 of 19 from downtown over four games, a performance starkly contrasting his usual effectiveness.
Preseason is a time of experimentation, allowing players like Bridges to adjust and refine their game without the looming pressure of the regular season. But for this 27-year-old, the preseason struggles seem part of a longer journey to perfect his shooting form—an endeavor that dates back to his collegiate days.
Reflecting on his journey, Bridges openly discussed his ongoing battle to reclaim his shooting form from his college years. "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," he shared. The hitch in his shooting form emerged in his second professional year, prompting persistent efforts to recalibrate his mechanics. "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," Bridges explained.
Despite these challenges, Bridges' resilience and skill remain undisputed. His catch-and-shoot capability is one of his standout attributes, placing him seventh in the NBA for such attempts last season. Remarkably, he converted 38.4% of his 5.6 catch-and-shoot attempts per game, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.
This offseason, a significant move marked Bridges' career, as the New York Knicks acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for five first-round picks. This high-profile acquisition reflects the league's recognition of his potential impact, not just as a shooter, but as a comprehensive player who can elevate a team's performance.
For Bridges, the mechanics of shooting are as much about persistence and adaptability as they are about raw talent. The grind to perfect the tiniest nuances of his form speaks volumes of his commitment to excellence. While this preseason might not have mirrored his typical shooting success, it serves as a chapter in his quest for consistency and mastery.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on Mikal Bridges, observing if he can translate his dedication and hard work into an explosion of three-point proficiency. For a player who has faced mechanical hurdles since college but still maintains elite shooting stats, confidence in his capabilities remains high. His narrative exemplifies the perseverance that distinguishes the merely good from the truly great, making his journey one to watch in the upcoming NBA season.