Mikal Bridges has been grappling with his shooting form as he tries to recapture the accuracy he displayed during his college days at Villanova. After struggling throughout the preseason with his three-point shooting, Bridges acknowledged that he has made continuous adjustments to his form since entering the NBA in 2018.
He described the process as a long-term effort, stating that he has spent seven years trying to fix his technique to regain his former comfort level on the court. Despite his struggles, he has a respectable career shooting percentage of 38% from beyond the arc.
Bridges’s preseason performance was disappointing, particularly during the Knicks’ final preseason game against the Wizards, where he failed to make a single three-point attempt, finishing 0-for-10.
This resulted in a dismal 11% shooting rate from three-point range over the course of the preseason. He reflected on how his shooting form has evolved, mentioning that a hitch he developed in his second year in the league has hindered his progress. Nevertheless, he remains focused on refining his technique as he prepares for the upcoming season.
Bridges was not the only new addition to the Knicks to struggle with shooting during the preseason. Karl-Anthony Towns also faced challenges, going 0-for-5 from three-point range in the same game, ultimately finishing the preseason with a 17% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
This stark contrast to his career average of 40% has raised concerns, but Towns maintained a positive attitude, emphasizing his commitment to continue shooting and contributing to the team’s success, as demonstrated by his performance of 22 points and 12 rebounds against the Wizards.
Despite the shooting woes of some key players, the Knicks concluded the preseason with a solid 3-1 record, with Jalen Brunson leading the team in scoring, averaging 21 points in just 23 minutes per game.
Unlike his new teammates, Brunson displayed no issues with his shooting form. However, overall, the team’s three-point shooting percentage was disappointing at just 30%, raising concerns about their offensive capabilities heading into the regular season, especially given their expectation to improve in this area.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed his desire for the team to become a high-volume three-point shooting squad, acknowledging the need for better conversion rates than what they demonstrated in the preseason. He emphasized the importance of shot value, noting that successful teams need to outscore their opponents from beyond the arc.
Thibodeau also highlighted the importance of creating open shots and easy baskets, stressing that understanding the mathematics of the game is crucial for success. As the Knicks gear up for the regular season, Bridges is hopeful that his adjustments will yield positive results, aiming to shake off the misses and focus on the long campaign ahead.
