Mikal Bridges Contemplates Mechanics Amid Preseason Struggles
Mikal Bridges, a player renowned for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, finds himself confronting familiar challenges as he navigates the preseason with a new team. After being acquired by the New York Knicks in a significant offseason trade that involved five first-round picks, Bridges' transition has been marked by a noticeable dip in his shooting efficiency.
The 2023 preseason has been a revelation, albeit not the favorable kind for the 27-year-old. Notably, Bridges missed all ten of his three-point attempts in a game against the Washington Wizards. This performance was part of a broader preseason struggle, with Bridges landing just two of his 19 attempts from long range over four games. For a player maintaining a career average of 37.5% from beyond the arc and never dropping below 36.1% in any NBA season, these numbers are uncharacteristically low.
Bridges' shooting skills have been a central part of his career thus far. During his stint with the Brooklyn Nets last year, he clocked a respectable 37.2% from the three-point line on 7.2 attempts per game. His prowess in catch-and-shoot scenarios further underscored his abilities, as he ranked seventh in the league for attempts, hitting 38.4% of his 5.6 per game efforts. Yet, the narrative of his shooting form is one that's been unfolding long before the Knicks era.
Ever since his college days, Bridges has been combatting mechanical issues with 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 reflected, offering a glimpse into his enduring struggle and commitment. This testament speaks to a player whose dedication involves a continuous process of recalibration, each season serving as a new chapter in the quest for mechanical harmony.
Bridges’ introspection continued as he further revealed, "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." His honest recounting of tweaks and hitches offers a window into the complications often overlooked by fans, yet deeply felt by the player himself.
The preseason period is often regarded as a time for experimentation and adjustment. It's a phase that allows players to test new strategies, settle into rhythms, or, as in Bridges' case, seek consistency in tried-and-tested skills. For Bridges, the early struggles could well serve as a precursor to a more refined performance once the regular season tips off.
As the Knicks gear up for their season opener, Bridges' focus will undoubtedly be on finding and maintaining the mechanics that have afforded him success in the past. For a player who has continually faced and overcome obstacles, his journey through this preseason could simply be another hurdle en route to further triumphs in his NBA career.