Since being traded to the Nets, Bridges has averaged 26.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. It is undeniable that although there are not enough samples in the game, the firepower shown by Bridges is very different from what we have seen in the past…
Mikal Bridges was the main source of leverage for the Suns in the Kevin Durant trade, but he also told the Brooklyn Nets that he had the potential to be a star.
After trading Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the Nets’ drop in the rankings is understandable. They were forced to rebuild, but they brought back five future first-round picks, a draft pick swap, and some top-tier role players, so they still have the option of staying competitive or moving those assets away.
The Nets have won less than they have since the trade deadline and dropped to No. 6 in the Eastern Conference. But they still stand a good chance of avoiding the play-offs thanks to the release of Mikal Bridges.
Over the past two years, Bridges has been a very high-level role player, a strong finisher and spot-up shooter. Even though he never really looked like a dominant individual scorer, his solid defense helped him become a near-the-fringe All-Star.
However, since being traded to the Nets, he averaged 26.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 53.6% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the three-point line. It is undeniable that although there are not enough samples in the game, the firepower shown by Bridges is very different from what we have seen in the past.
In his four and a half seasons in Phoenix, Bridges has been a green leaf offensively. His usage rate never topped 20 percent, and he consistently made 75-plus percent of his 2-pointers and 95 percent of his 3-pointers on assists. When he has the chance to create his own shot off the dribble, it’s usually in transition or after he’s relied on Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to draw opponents.
In nine games with Brooklyn, Bridges has made 30 self-made 2-pointers, and we’ve seen him spend most of his half-court offense relying on his own creativity and dribbling. attack.
Bridges is shooting a lot more from the field with the Nets than he has in the past, but his usage rate has also jumped from 19.2 to 27.0, and only 49.2 percent of his 2-pointers and 86.4 percent of his three-pointers have come from assists. He’s gone from a PJ Washington-type player to a Kyle Kuzma-type player in terms of these numbers.
When you list the attributes you want to see in a leading scorer, Bridges has pretty much shown the Nets what to expect. In pick-and-roll plays, he averages nearly twice as many possessions as point guards and ranks in the 96th percentile in scoring efficiency.
He drives more, shoots more efficiently and draws fouls on a higher percentage of drives. He’s taking nearly twice as many pull-up jumpers as he used to, and he’s shooting at an improved rate both from and behind the arc.
All in all, Bridges takes on more of the offensive load while improving his offensive efficiency in this role. Comparing him to Kevin Durant is absurd, but he does have some of the attributes Durant has, snaking pick-and-rolls and shooting straight up and down the free throw line on a big man.
He can actually do that with the Suns, and you might see similar contributions from him in games at times, but his opportunities are so limited that when the offense relies more on him, it usually has to be Chris Paul , Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are not on the court.
While the draft picks in the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving trade may be the best payoff for a rebuilding franchise, getting a 26-year-old with one of the best wing defenders in the league is a gift from heaven.
Also, don’t forget that Bridges hasn’t missed a game in three of the past four seasons, and he’s only making $20 million a year, which is clearly a premium price.
The Nets may have acquired a half-polished gem.
[Special editor Lin Changyi / responsible editor Xie Yiqian]
This article is compiled for reference:The Whiteboard: Nets may have found a star to build around with Mikal Bridges
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