In the realm of professional basketball, Mikal Bridges is a name synonymous with reliable three-point shooting. With a career average of 37.5% from beyond the arc, Bridges has established himself as a consistent threat from long distance. However, recent performances in the preseason have brought his shooting form under scrutiny, highlighting a journey of mechanical adjustments and mental challenges.
A Bump in the Preseason Road
In a surprising turn of events, Bridges went cold in a preseason game against the Washington Wizards, where he missed all ten of his three-point attempts. Over four preseason games, he managed to convert just 2 of 19 attempts from deep, a stark contrast to his usual efficiency. This struggle raises questions about his shooting form, which Bridges himself has acknowledged as a long-standing issue.
"Ever since I got into the league, been trying to fix it back to when I was in college," Bridges said, reflecting on the persistence of the problem. "It’s been seven years of just every day.” His candid acknowledgment of the issue points to a saga that has followed him through his professional journey.
Consistency Amid Change
Despite these preseason woes, Bridges’ historical performance showcases an impressive consistency. He has never dropped below a 36.1% shooting percentage from three-point range in any NBA season. Last year, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, he maintained a 37.2% efficiency on 7.2 attempts per game, a testament to his reliability beyond the arc.
Adding to his repertoire, Bridges excelled in catch-and-shoot scenarios, recording the seventh-most attempts in the league at 5.6 per game and converting 38.4% of those chances. These statistics underscore his ability to deliver under specific circumstances, highlighting a nuanced understanding of his role on the court.
Transitions and Trade-offs
The offseason brought significant changes for Bridges as the New York Knicks acquired him, trading five first-round picks to secure his talents. This move signifies the high value placed on his capabilities, both as a sharpshooter and a versatile player who can impact the game on multiple levels.
The transition to a new team and the pressure of justifying the hefty trade value have likely added layers of complexity to his already intricate journey of form adjustments. The preseason is a period often used for experimentation and adjustment for many players, offering a chance to refine approaches before the more consequential regular season begins.
The Precision of Form
Moreover, Bridges’ candid reflections on his shooting mechanics offer a window into the life of a professional athlete striving for precision. "When I came out of college, I kind of tweaked it a little bit," he continued. "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.”
The admission reveals a vulnerability that underscores the challenge of maintaining technical excellence in a high-stakes environment. The "hitch," as he describes it, is a subtle hitch in his shot motion that has been a focus of ongoing correction efforts.
As the NBA regular season looms, Bridges will be keen to refine these elements of his game, using the preseason experiences as a foundation for further improvement. While inconsistencies in preseason play can be cause for concern, they also serve as valuable learning moments that can forge resilience and adaptability.
For Mikal Bridges, the journey towards perfect shooting form is as much about mental fortitude and persistence as it is about physical mechanics. His narrative of persistence offers insight into the often unseen, yet critical, aspects of professional athletic performance. As he continues to tweak and adjust, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how his form evolves—and ultimately how it might redefine his place among the NBA's elite shooters.