This summer, one of the major acquisitions for the New York Knicks was trading for Mikal Bridges. Bridges is currently averaging 17.5 points, with a 48% field goal percentage and shooting 35% from three-point range. He hasn't shot this poorly from beyond the arc since his rookie year.
If I were to evaluate Mikal Bridges' performance up to now, I would rate it a solid B. He's delivered some impressive games for the Knicks, but his recent performances against the Cavaliers and the Celtics have been lacking. One area where Mikal Bridges needs to improve is in getting to the free-throw line more often. He's not showing enough aggression, averaging only about 1 free-throw attempt per game, which is the lowest in his career. Additionally, he's shooting a career-low 74% from the free-throw line. So the question is, why?
The simple explanation is that it's a new experience for Mikal Bridges with a new team, so it might take longer for some players to adapt. However, to me, that feels like an excuse, which I dislike making. After all, Jimmy Butler was recently traded to the Warriors and has averaged about 8 free throws per game since his debut.
Mikal Bridges isn't particularly strong at getting to the free-throw line. He often avoids contact and favors his mid-range jumper, which he excels at. Shooting 50% from mid-range justifies taking many shots from there. However, the Knicks need him to drive to the basket more. As shown in the graphic above (CleaningTheGlass), Mikal Bridges is well below average for his position in drawing fouls, currently at 4% compared to the position average of 10%.
To help Bridges excel at getting to the line, you can place him in more favorable situations, with lineups in which he performs well. A particularly effective lineup for boosting the Knicks' free throw rate (33%) includes Towns, Bridges, Hart, McBride, and Brunson. Regardless, Mikal Bridges simply needs to return to his 2022 form, where he averaged nearly 6 free throws per game while playing alongside players with exceptionally high basketball IQs, like Chris Paul and Devin Booker, among others.
Attack, attack, attack; stop avoiding contact and play physically. The Knicks need this.
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