Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges Maintains Confidence Despite Three-Point Struggles

Bridges led the Brooklyn Nets to a victory but struggled with his three-point shot.

Peter Sunjic

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Mikal Bridges has faced challenges with his three-point shooting in the 2023/24 season, a struggle further highlighted by his performance against the Washington Wizards, where he shot 2-for-14 from beyond the arc despite scoring a total of 27 points, primarily excelling in the mid-range.

Mikal does not like that he’s been missing but he will not let that deter his mentality. He has a scorer’s mindset as he will keep shooting which is especially important with leading scorer Cameron Thomas is still out with ankle injury.

“Just missed a lot of threes. Threes just, you know, they just hurt, me just keep missing them. And, you know you’re missing them. So, just staying with it. Just trying to win the game,” Mikal said in his post-game presser.

Embracing the number one option role

In the absence of Cam Thomas in the lineup, Bridges is once again shouldering the responsibility as the primary option for the Brooklyn Nets. This presents challenges as defenses concentrate on him, forcing him into difficult shot situations. While he continues to excel in off-the-dribble mid-range shots, his three-point shooting has proven to be challenging.

Mikal is shooting 26.9% from beyond the arc which is a far cry from his career averages of 37.6% from three. With his role of being the number one guy, he has to keep shooting but he needs to know when to settle down and drive into the paint rather than just pulling up for a three.

He has shown a willingness to take mid-range shots which he has been successful with. By focusing on other parts of the offense, he can build a better rhythm and shoot better from beyond the arc.

Other teammates can create shots for him

With both Thomas and Ben Simmons sidelined, only a handful of players have the capability to create room for Bridges. While Spencer Dinwiddie can take on the role of the primary playmaker in their absence, he tends to prioritize shooting. Dennis Smith Jr., although providing some open shots in his limited minutes, hasn't consistently maintained this role.

Now, with Nic Claxton's return to the lineup, his screening expertise becomes pivotal in creating space for Mikal. While they can execute effective pick-and-roll plays, the significance of the dribble-handoff increases, especially since Claxton is more adept at this than Dorian Finney-Smith, who is a smaller player.

The Nets fans should not be worried about Mikal because he is a knockdown shooter throughout his career. He just needs reps and consistency to return to his usual level as a shooter.

Nic Claxton's Stellar Return Powers Brooklyn Nets Past Washington Wizards

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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