Bridges and the Knicks: Finding Rhythm in the Big Apple
Mikal Bridges, the lauded acquisition of the New York Knicks, is navigating early-season challenges as he attempts to find his footing with his new team. In a recent clash against Charlotte, Bridges’ performance fell short of expectations, managing only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting and registering the lowest plus/minus rating among his teammates at -14. Despite logging 37 minutes on the court, he spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau opted for Miles McBride in crunch time, citing McBride’s freshness and offensive capabilities as key factors in his decision. Thibodeau also acknowledged the team’s overall struggles, emphasizing the need for a change. Surprisingly, Bridges voiced his agreement with the coach’s choice, acknowledging the need for improvement in his own game.
“I’ve got to play better,” Bridges admitted. “My performance has been inconsistent. I’ve had some good games, but others haven’t gone as well. I’m still trying to find my rhythm within the team. We’re not even 20 games into the season, so I’m still figuring things out. I had some sloppy dribbles and allowed my opponents to score while I was defending inside. I’ll definitely be better,” he asserted.
Despite leading the NBA in minutes played, averaging a remarkable 38.1 minutes per game through his first 19 games, Bridges has seen a downturn in several statistical categories. His current averages of 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game are all below his career averages. His shooting percentages have also suffered, with three-pointers dipping to a dismal 30.6% and free throws hovering at a disappointing 61.5%. Additionally, his trips to the free throw line have dramatically decreased, falling from 4.1 attempts per game in previous seasons to a mere 0.7 attempts per night this season.
The Knicks’ acquisitions of Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets over the summer came at a significant cost, with the team surrendering a substantial package of draft assets, including five first-round picks (four of them unprotected) and a pick swap. So far, the return on this investment has been less than satisfactory.
However, both Bridges and his teammates remain steadfast in their belief that he will eventually find his groove in New York.
Josh Hart, a teammate, expressed unwavering support for Bridges after the Charlotte game.
“I’m not worried about him,” Hart stated firmly. “The media and people are criticizing him, but he’s in a new situation. He’s playing a different role than the last four years… It’s our job to get him back… And all that talk about what we gave up doesn’t matter. If we win, if we get a championship, no one will care how many picks we gave up. We could have given up 15 picks; it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, our goal is to win a championship, and Mikal will be an essential piece of that puzzle.”
As Bridges continues to adjust to his new role with the Knicks, there is a shared optimism that he will overcome his early-season struggles and make a significant contribution to the team’s success. With time, adjustments, and the unwavering faith of his teammates, Bridges has all the tools to find his rhythm and demonstrate why he was once such a coveted acquisition for the Knicks.
What factors might be contributing to Mikal Bridges’ struggles in New York?
## Bridges and the Big Apple: A New York State of Mind?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re talking about Mikal Bridges and his transition to the New York Knicks. He’s been a high-profile addition, but early returns are… mixed. Joining us to break down Bridges’ performance and what it means for the Knicks is sports analyst, Sarah Jones. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**Sarah Jones:** Thanks for having me. Bridges has definitely been an interesting case study so far.
**Host:** Let’s dive in. Bridges had a rough game against Charlotte recently. Eight points on 3-of-10 shooting, -14 plus/minus — not exactly what Knicks fans were hoping for. What happened there?
**Sarah Jones:** It wasn’t just that game. While Bridges has had some good outings, his overall performance has been below his career averages. [[1](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3147657/mikal-bridges)]His point, rebound, and assist numbers are all down. He’s also logging heavy minutes, which might be contributing to some fatigue.
**Host:** And Coach Thibodeau actually benched him in the fourth quarter of that Charlotte game. That’s a pretty bold move considering Bridges is their star acquisition.
**Sarah Jones:** Absolutely. It shows Thibodeau is willing to make tough decisions based on what’s working on the court. Interestingly, Bridges seemed to agree with the decision, admitting he needs to play better and find his rhythm within the team.
**Host:** It’s a little surprising to hear a player of his caliber be so self-critical. What do you make of that?
**Sarah Jones:** I think it’s a positive sign. It shows humility and a willingness to improve. The transition to a new team can be tough, especially one with high expectations like the Knicks. Bridges is clearly dedicated to figuring things out.
**Host:** So what does Bridges need to do to find his groove in New York?
**Sarah Jones:** A few things. He needs to be more consistent offensively, especially with his shooting. Defensively, he’s been solid, but he can still be more disruptive. Most importantly, he needs to develop chemistry with his teammates.
**Host:** It’s still early in the season, so there’s plenty of time for Bridges to turn things around.
**Sarah Jones:** Definitely. The Knicks have shown flashes of potential, and Bridges is a key piece of the puzzle.
**Host:** Thanks for your insights, Sarah. This is definitely a situation worth keeping an eye on.
**Sarah Jones:** Absolutely.
