Mikal Bridges in the month of December has been on a tear for the New York Knicks. Averaging 22.7 PPG, shooting nearly 47% from 3 while having a 69% TS. THIS is the Mikal Bridges that many Knicks fans have been waiting for. Mikal Bridges, to start the season, was the last Knick to 'join the party'... as newly added Karl-Anthony Towns was making an impact RIGHT AWAY for the Knicks team. Mikal Bridges at one point turned into a punching bag for many frustrated Knicks fans, calling the trade with the Brooklyn Nets an "overpay" and telling themselves that the Knicks should have never made the deal. Well, in the month of December, the trade has been paying its dividends.
The Knicks are hot right now. They are 9-2 in their last 11 games with no signs of stopping. The team was telling everyone to be patient; things take time, and boy were they right. The Knicks arguably have the best starting 5 in the NBA. While each of the starters has already proven their value, whether it's Towns dropping 44 against the Heat, Anunoby dropping 40 against the Nuggets, Brunson dropping 39 against the Pelicans, or Mikal Bridges dropping 41 against the Spurs on Christmas Day, it is literally pick your poison on any given night.
One thing to note is not only has Mikal Bridges played ELITE offensively, garnering a 59.6 eFG%, shooting 49% from corner 3 and 53% from mid-range, it's his defense that has taken a major leap compared to earlier in the season. His 1v1 defense has drastically improved as well as his pick-and-roll defense. Going from PHX-BK-NY can be a challenge for a player, especially when the Nets were asking him to be the "man." As a Knick, he doesn't need to be "the man." But against the Spurs, he proved to the NBA universe that he can very well still be the man when called upon. This version of Mikal Bridges really gets me excited. And I think this Knicks team still has another gear to get to.
Go Knicks!
Check out my video I made on YouTube about Mikal Bridges!
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