Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges still holds optimism amid shooting slump: "Just keep shooting them, and they're gonna go"

Though he and the Nets are sliding, the rising star remains high-spirited in hopes of regaining consistency once again.

Peter Sunjic

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The Brooklyn Nets' success is coordinated in Mikal Bridges's brilliance, and this can be easily observed when they tallied an impressive first quarter of the 2023-24 season.

But as the offensive numbers of the rising star saw a significant dip, the Nets accordingly followed and are now enduring a four-game losing skid with a 13-14 record.

Keeping the optimism high

After impressive individual displays in his first 23 games with the Nets this year, Bridges caught critical colds and inconsistencies afterward.

In the past four-game stretch, he is only averaging 13.8 points while shooting an underwhelming 27.4 percent mark from the field. Last Wednesday against the New York Knicks, he was uncharacteristically passive by going off for just nine points in 3-of-8 shooting.

Amid the struggles he's facing, Mikal remains positive about soon breaking his slump and rerouting himself back to his usual productive form.

"They're a good defensive team, for sure, but I feel like I was missing good ones, easy ones. A lot of 'em were missing ones I usually make," Bridges said. "It's just tough, you obviously want them all to go in, but just keep shooting them, and they're gonna go in eventually."

A great challenge for Mikal

Jacque Vaughn echoed the same sentiments for his star player Bridges.

For the Brooklyn head coach, the hardships for both Mikal and the Nets are just temporary and will eventually end once they finally find their groove with the next two games set to be played on their home turf.

"We've hit a little spot in the season, like a lot of teams do. We've lost a few games in a row. Who's gonna respond, and how are we gonna respond?" Vaughn said. "I have full confidence that Mikal is gonna get his body and mind right and be ready to go next game, and our group will, also. This is a great challenge for us at this time of the year."

Cam Johnson encourages Mikal Bridges amidst shooting slump

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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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