Thunderous Intentions
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Mikal Bridges prospect profile: A bridge to success

By Rylan Stiles

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Mikal Bridges
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats attempts a shot against Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Skills:

Mikal Bridges is an incredible athlete. Bridges can stroke the three ball with the best of them, in addition to his outstanding defense. Bridges will fit right into the modern day NBA. He is a leader, as far as intangibles go. Shifting back to something that is tangible: Mikal Bridges has proven the ability to play many different roles. Unlike most of the NBA Draft prospects, Mikal Bridges was not always the guy.

During the Wildcats 2016 National Champion run, Mikal Bridges was a glue guy, or role player. Coming off the bench, he provided Jay Wright’s squad with a spark. Mikal Bridges posted 6-points, 3-rebounds, and a steal per game during that season. In that National Championship game, Bridges played 15-minutes of outstanding defense while turning in a pair of post scores.

However, In the 2018 National Championship game Mikal Bridges posted 19-points, while collecting 4-rebounds. He has proven over the course of his career he will rise to the occasion. Mikal Bridges has played in more big games than most due to his prolonged college career.

Weaknesses:

As much as it is a strength in the short term, long term Mikal Bridges’ age is a strike against him inside most NBA circles. The younger the better. Many view a younger prospect as someone with more upside. Mikal Bridges needs to work on his ball handling ability, that asset held him back from becoming a better scorer.

Another weakness is his frame. Mikal Bridges needs to hit the weight room, and with NBA training and coaching this seems like an easy fix.

Probably the biggest weakness for Bridges is him not being able to defend in an ISO setting. That creates a big problem when facing some of the stars in this league. Lastly, Mikal Bridges struggles to make plays by himself. Scoring off the dribble, and creating his own shot is not his forte.

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