Miles Bridges unlike the majority of his peers choose to return to school after his freshmen season. Did he help or hurt his draft stock, draft night will reveal the answer.
Most players projected to be an NBA lottery pick, leave after their freshmen season, not Miles Bridges. Bridges elected to play his sophomore season with the Michigan State Spartans.
As noted in an SI piece last year despite being urged by his mother Cynthia and coach Tom Izzo Bridges decided to stay in school. A bold choice among today’s NBA’s prospects a decision with such risks involved deserves respect. Many collegiate athletes do not want to further their development in college. Due to fear of falling in the draft or suffering an injury before reaching the pros.
Bridges put all those concerns aside because he wanted to return to school because that’s what he felt was best. As a bonus, he is still projected in the lottery on many mock drafts.
Player specifics
- Height with Shoes: 6’6, Height without Shoes: 6’5
- Weight: 220 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’9″
- Position: Small Forward -Power Forward
- Age: 20.1
- College: Michigan State University, sophomore
- Home Town: Flint, Michigan
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Statistical Breakdown
- Points: 17.1 (17-18) | 17.0 (career)
- Minutes: 31.4 (2017-18) | 31.6 (career)
- Rebounds: 7.0 (17-18) | 7.6 (career)
- Assists: 2.7 (17-18) | 2.4 (career)
- Personal Fouls: 1.6 (17-18) | 1.7 (career)
- Steals: 0.6 (17-18) | 0.6 (career)
- Turnovers: 2.7 (17-18) | 2.4 (career)
- Blocks: 0.8 (17-18) | 1.1 (career)
*all statistics based on per game averages
For the most part, Bridges stats from the past season mirror his career stats. The way this is viewed depends on whether you take a glass half full or glass half empty approach. While on one hand Bridges numbers do not reflect much if any improvement. On the other hand, Bridges statistics demonstrate how consistent he was on the hardwood. Moreover, Michigan has a program based on a specific team system, so his consistency speaks to how well he fit into Tom Izzo’s system.
With that, let’s get into Miles Bridges pros and cons.
Strengths: Brings constant aggression
The value of a hustle player is immeasurable to his or her team. When a player provides a wide skill set and displays tremendous energy they might be dubbed a star. This is the case with Bridges he is a highly skilled player who also brings the aggression. This quality is full display in the video below.
After his teammate misses a fade away shot two players begin to get back on defense, not Miles Bridges. He stayed with the play got the offensive rebound and scored for the Spartans. This play can be seen many times in the NBA and this hustle would be welcome on any NBA team.
Ability to score in a variety of areas
The NBA is always looking for the next versatile scorer Miles Bridges might be it. Bridges is a prolific dunker and a decent three-point shooter however his mid-range game needs some attention. Nevertheless, Bridges can put the ball in the basket as shown in the next clip.
Bridges drove to the rack on one possession and swished a three on another. If he can score with a similar pace in the NBA the team who selects him will significantly improve.
Cons of Miles Bridges: Trouble pulling up
While, Miles Bridges can score in multiple areas he does not necessarily score in multiple ways. His pre-draft scouting report on NBA DraftNet, noted Bridges excelled at catching and shooting opportunities. But, displayed difficulty pulling up.
Catching and shooting is a huge part of today’s NBA, however pulling up has a place in the league as well. Bridges must improve that area of his game if he is to reach his full potential. If not Bridges runs the risk of being a predictable offensive player in the NBA.
Relies too heavily on athleticism
This is a common knock on a player coming into the league, yet it cannot be overlooked. These players are used to being the best on the court. They can often get away with that mentality in high school and to a certain degree in college. But, once they reach the NBA all the players they go against are just as good or better.
Although Bridges made the shot he took such contact to do so, that will wear a player out taking such a physical pounding for 82 games. NBA physicality is an adjustment for rookies some are up for the challenge, whereas others fail to adjust and ultimately fall out of the league.
NBA Comparison
Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer compared Miles Bridges to Derrick Coleman, Deshaun Thomas, and Tobias Harris. I really like the Tobias Harris comparison, the two players almost mirror one another.
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My comparison for Bridges would be a poor mans Draymond Green. Bridges is not the playmaker that Draymond is, however, the rest of Bridges skill set matches Green’s. Not coincidentally, both players attended Michigan State, under the tutelage of head coach Tom Izzo.
Where Miles Bridges projects in the 2018 Draft
- DraftExpress/ESPN: 11th
- NBA DraftNet: 13th
- CBS Sports: 13th
- Sports Illustrated: 11th
- Bleacher Report: 10th
- Basketball Insiders: 13th
- The Ringer Kevin O’Connor: 10th
Does Bridges fit with the OKC Thunder
Much like Michael Porter Jr. Miles Bridges would be a good fit with the OKC Thunder because they need help at power forward. If Jerami Grant moves on OKC would be even thinner than this past season on the frontline.
Bridges projects as a do it all glue guy, something all teams can’t have enough of. There have been no reports of OKC meeting with Bridges or showing interest in the forward.
Next: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander offers elite role player potential
Whichever team ultimately selects the forward out of Michigan State is adding a quality person and player to their locker room.