The Knicks gave up a massive package to acquire Mikal Bridges. Part of the appeal for the trade was the forward’s career 37.5 percent shooting from 3, making him an easy fit next to Jalen Brunson and the rest of the team.
Bridges has fit in well during the preseason, but the shooting hasn’t been there yet. He’s just 2-of-9 from deep.
That may be more than just bad shooting luck. It appears that Bridges may have changed his form, and it caught the attention of Anthony Edwards according to a NSFW clip circulating during Sunday’s Knicks-Timberwolves game.
Should Knicks fans be worried about new Mikal Bridges shooting form?
Bridges appears to have developed a hitch in his shot, holding the ball above his head for an extra pause before releasing it. Edwards noticed it during one of Bridges’ free throws, as captured in a NSFW video by the X account @legendz_nba.
Edwards isn’t the first person to notice the change in Bridges’ shot. Clips of the forward shooting during preseason practices have gone viral, eliciting comparisons to non-shooter Ben Simmons.
Looks like Ben Simmons may have rubbed off on Mikal Bridges before he left the Nets
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) October 1, 2024
Bridges always had a somewhat unusual shooting form, but recently, he’s exaggerated how high he’s holding the ball over his head and slowed down his release with that hitch.
The change was noticeable in New York’s preseason opener against Charlotte.
POSITIONAL RANKINGS: PG | SG | SF | PF | C
Bridges was a great shooter for the Nets last season, hitting 37.2 percent of his 3s and 81.4 percent of his free throws while averaging 19.6 points per game. Through the Knicks’ first preseason games, those numbers are down to 22.2 percent from 3, 71.4 percent from the line and 11.7 points per game. He’s had good looks, but the touch hasn’t been there.
This isn’t the first time in Bridges’ career that he’s dealt with a hitch in his shot. In his first year with the Suns, he developed a very strange forward motion before releasing the ball.
Bridges shot just 33.5 percent during that rookie year, which was the worst of his career. He removed that hitch after extensive help from the coaching staff. His shooting numbers, both in terms of volume and accuracy, skyrocketed after those changes.
Whether Bridges’ new form is here to stay is unclear, but Knicks fans should be worried if his old habits have returned. While Bridges has been a good defender, helped the Knicks in transition and brought some scoring creation in preseason, they need his 3-pointer if they want to get past the Celtics and win their first ring since 1973.
