Mikal Bridges Faces Uphill Battle to Regain Shooting Form
Mikal Bridges has long been recognized for his sharpshooting abilities from beyond the arc, boasting a commendable career average of 37.5% from three-point range. Yet, recent performances have raised eyebrows and prompted questions about his current shooting form. With potent three-point proficiency a central element of his game, Bridges has, up to now, consistently recorded a three-point shooting percentage of no less than 36.1% throughout his NBA tenure. However, his recent preseason struggles indicate a potentially troubling deviation.
This preseason, Bridges endured a stark downturn, culminating in a dismal 2-for-19 showing from three-point range over four games. His woes were particularly pronounced during a matchup against the Washington Wizards, where he failed to convert any of his ten attempts from downtown. This performance has escalated focus on a player who ranked seventh in the league last season in catch-and-shoot attempts, averaging 5.6 per game and converting 38.4% of those opportunities while wearing the Brooklyn Nets uniform.
For Bridges, the offseason was marked by a significant transition as he was acquired by the New York Knicks in a high-profile trade involving five first-round draft picks. Such a move highlights the Knicks' substantial belief in his potential and skillset, yet it simultaneously magnifies the pressure on Bridges to deliver consistently at an elite level—a challenge that becomes even more daunting with the shooting mechanics issues he has been battling since his college days.
The roots of Bridges' mechanical struggles trace back to his collegiate years. Since entering the league, he has candidly acknowledged his ongoing effort to rectify his shooting form. "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," Bridges remarked. This persistence underscores the complexity and deeply ingrained nature of mechanical hitches in athletic performance.
Bridges elaborated further: "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." It's a revealing admission that highlights the arduous journey athletes often endure to refine and perfect their craft amidst the perpetual grind of professional sports.
Despite these struggles, it's essential to contextualize Bridges' preseason endeavors. Preseason basketball provides players a platform designed for experimentation and adjustment. While fans and analysts might raise concerns, savvy insiders recognize this as a period to hone techniques and trial new approaches free from the stakes of regular-season consequences. For Bridges, the preseason is an opportunity to recalibrate and forge a path back to consistency.
Given his track record, it would be premature to dismiss Bridges' ability to overcome his current shooting hiccups. His tenure in Brooklyn saw him land a 37.2% three-point shooting efficiency on an average of 7.2 attempts per game—figures that place him comfortably within the ranks of the league's reliable shooters. Moving into the regular season, all eyes will remain focused on how Bridges navigates this critical juncture in his career.
Ultimately, the narrative surrounding Mikal Bridges extends beyond simple statistics. It embodies resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement that define professional athletics. As he dons a Knicks jersey and steps into a new chapter, the basketball world watches with intrigue, eager to see how Bridges adjusts and evolves, harnessing his potential to deliver the kind of performances that once marked him as a heralded marksman on the NBA hardwood.