NBA Draft prospect Mikal Bridges could build a bridge for a franchise to the promised land, by being Klay Thompson lite.
The Villanova Wildcats have had tremendous success in Mikal Bridges’ tenure. Bridges and the Wildcats won two National Championships during his time at Nova. Bridges broke out in 2017-18 and showed how much promise he has as a future NBA player.
Getting coached up by Jay Wright, and coming into the league at age 21, Bridges is more pro-ready than most. Jay Wright is one of the best coaches in college basketball, and some would say he has Brad Stevens like potential, if he wants to make that jump to the NBA.
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Player Specifics:
- Height: 6’7
- Weight: 200
- Wingspan: 7’0
- Position: Small Forward
- Age: 21
- College: Villanova, Junior
- 2017-18 Stat-line: 17-points, 5-rebounds, 51 percent from the field, 43 percent from three point land, 62 percent effective field goal percentage.
- Hometown: Malvern, PA.
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.
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
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.