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
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 05: Mikal Bridges of the Villanova Wildcats holds up the trophy during the Championship Parade on April 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Honors and Awards:

  • Two time NCAA Champion
  • 2018 NCAA All Tournament Team
  • Third team All-American (AP)
  • Julius Erving Award
  • All NCAA Final Four Team (2018)
  • Most outstanding player in the Big East Tourament
  • First Team All Big East

Pro Comparisons:

Mikal Bridges is being compared to Robert Covington, and Tony Snell. Neither of those names would get a fan base all jazzed up about their shinny new toy.

Let’s talk about the ceiling of Mikal Bridges: Klay Thompson.

Klay Thompson is one of the better defenders in the NBA, and the best catch-and-shoot guy in the league. That could be Mikal Bridges. Now, clearly he will never be considered an all-time great shooter, but this play style would be perfect for him. Klay Thompson dribbles less than any player in the league. Mikal Bridges in that role, of catch-and-shoot then run back to play defense would make fans giddy. The problem is, there is no lottery team that has the talent to set-up Bridges like the Warriors do with Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green.

The Floor for Mikal Bridges, would be a poor mans Andre Roberson. He can clearly shoot the ball better than Andre Roberson, of course. Yet he is no where close to being the best defender in the NBA, and likely never will be.

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Where Mikal Bridges ranks:

The Ringer: 8th

NBA Draft Net: 10th

NBA: 2nd rated wing

CBS Sports: 12th

SI: 9th

Bleacher Report: 3rd

Basketball Insider: 9th

Sporting News: 7th

USA Today: 10th

Would Mikal Bridges fit in Oklahoma City?:

Most OKC Thunder fans want the organization to shift their line of thinking. Instead of athletic, defensive minded, non-shooters packing the paint, give Russell Westbrook shooters around the perimeter. In that sense, Mikal Bridges absolutely fits in OKC.

Next: Miles Bridges the sophomore sensation

However, as is the case for most of these prospects Oklahoma City has no realistic chance of grabbing Mikal Bridges. That is of course without giving up Steven Adams. Mikal Bridges is in no way worth departing with Steven Adams.

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