When the Nets acquired Mikal Bridges with Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and several Suns first-round picks for Kevin Durantthere was excitement after Bridges’ impact as an elite role player in Phoenix.
Through 15 games, the Nets must be thrilled with the star player Bridges has already become. The former Villanova Wildcat is in the midst of a metamorphosis and has become the team’s No. 1 option in no time.
Bridges has been on a tear, averaging 26.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He shoots 50% from the field and 44.4% from the three-point line.
In Phoenix, Bridges established himself as one of the NBA’s leading 3&D wings. He was a great cutter off the ball who shot well from the three-point line.
It was in defense that Bridges made his name. He was a force to be reckoned with. A finalist for the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Bridges could defend multiple positions and was often tasked with protecting elite players in the playoffs, such as james lebron And Luka Doncic.
Bridges has already put together a sizzling highlight reel. There was the win last month over the Miami Heat, where he dropped a career-high 45 points with eight rebounds and 5 assists. Bridges scored 30 points seven times. Before arriving in Brooklyn, Bridges had just one 30-point performance in 365 games with the Suns.
Based on his performance with the Nets, there’s a good shot of the 26-year-old making an All-Star team. It didn’t seem possible just a month ago.
One aspect of Bridges’ game that stood out was the number of free throws he made. Bridges has already attempted 98 free throws in 15 games with the Nets. He took just 157 gifts in 82 games with Phoenix last year.
Free-throw attempts are also a surprise as Bridges hasn’t changed his diet much. It actually takes slightly fewer rim shots while seeing a slight increase in mid-range shot attempts.
Building a bridge for the future
Bridges is not a perfect player. He can still improve in his game off the pick-and-roll and in isolation. The Nets’ offense is scoring 112.9 points per 100 possessions with Bridges on the floor, compared to 107.7 points per 100 possessions in the 519 minutes Bridges has been on the floor, according to NBA Stats.
There is also room to grow in his shot selection. Can it reach over the rim? If he fouls on drives, that could be very important to increase his efficiency. Plus, can he turn some of those mid-range attempts into shots from behind the arc? That should be the next step the Nets are considering for Bridges next season.
The next test for Bridges as a primary option will be the playoffs. Defensiveness will see the fifth-year player and it will be interesting to see if he is able to excel. At Phoenix, he was no higher than the fourth option in the team’s two playoff series.
With Brooklyn entering Sunday as the No. 6 seed in the East at 39-31, the team has a very good chance of qualifying for the playoffs – and, at worst, having the home advantage. pitch in a potential play-in situation. Although Bridges has NBA Finals experience, being a primary option in a playoff series is different and will be important to his development.
Bridges’ first 15 games with the club were impressive, and he established himself as a key part of Brooklyn’s rebuild and a potential All-Star. He may not be the number one option if the Nets ever manage to acquire a star and return to contender status, but Bridges has shown he can be the bridge to the team’s future. .