The time is now for Mikal Bridges. Acquired from the Nets for five first-round picks, Bridges was brought in to be an integral piece of the Knicks’ (51-31) title contention hopes. Known as a two-way player, the idea was for Bridges to complement the star tandem of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bridges experienced an uneven debut season, averaging 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. The playoffs are where he can change the narrative. As the Knicks enter a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons (44-38), the main priority will be slowing down Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
Bridges should be the Knicks’ X-factor for the first round. Bridges defended Cunningham more than anyone else on the team during the regular season. It’s likely he takes on the Cunningham assignment when the series commences on Saturday night.
Detroit took three of four games against the Knicks in the regular season and Cunningham was at the center of the Pistons’ strong play. In four games against the Knicks, Cunningham was brilliant, averaging 30.8 points on 56 percent from the field and 8.3 assists.
Cunningham is a nightmare for all opponents. Standing 6-foot-8, the guard is a maestro in the pick-and-roll. Cunningham gets to his spots and has developed an array of floaters, hook shots, and an effective mid-range jumper when he’s unable to get all the way to the rim. He’s also a good enough three-point shooter to keep the defense honest. The Knicks defend the pick-and-roll in drop coverage where the defender of the screener drops back into the paint, which can allow Cunningham to get into his comfort zone.
Defending Cunningham isn’t a one man job. OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride have all taken turns guarding the Pistons All-Star along with Bridges. Individual defensive stats can be noisy, but Cunningham shot 8-for-21 (38 percent) with Bridges defending him.
One weakness of Cunningham is turnovers. He was second in turnovers per 36 minutes (4.5). If the Knicks can be disruptive and bring occasional help, they could force a few turnovers and create easier scoring opportunities.
This has not been Bridges’ best defensive season. A former runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, the Knicks looked to Bridges to be a great point of attack defender. That was not the case this season. Bridges got caught up on screens and couldn’t stay in front of guards as the likes of Trae Young, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum lit up the Knicks at various moments.
Bridges has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and there’s a chance he can turn up the aggression on the defensive end and be a pest for Cunningham. But it won’t work if he doesn’t navigate screens better and get physical with the Pistons guard.
Offensive advantage
Though the main focus for Bridges will be on the defensive end, the Knicks will also need him to contribute on offense. He shot 35.4 percent from the three-point line, the lowest percentage of his career since his rookie season. Bridges gradually improved as a passer late in the season. He averaged 5.1 assists in his final 19 games, not including his season finale cameo.
Bridges excels in the midrange, but the Knicks also have to find ways to get him easy opportunities on timely cuts and corner threes. Though Detroit has a stout defense, there are some soft spots to pick at from the hard shell of a defense. The club plays smaller guards in former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley. Though both players are capable of heating up from three, they are vulnerable on defense.
With the Pistons’ best perimeter defender Ausar Thompson locked in on Brunson, there’s opportunity for Bridges to feast. In the four games against Detroit, Bridges averaged 19.8 points on 56.6 percent from the field and 52 percent from behind the arc.
The Bridges that is aggressive on defense and constantly in motion and attacking on offense is just what the Knicks need in the first round.
The time is now for Mikal Bridges. Acquired from the Nets for five first-round picks, Bridges was brought in to be an integral piece of the Knicks’ (51-31) title contention hopes. Known as a two-way player, the idea was for Bridges to complement the star tandem of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bridges experienced an uneven debut season, averaging 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. The playoffs are where he can change the narrative. As the Knicks enter a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons (44-38), the main priority will be slowing down Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
Bridges should be the Knicks’ X-factor for the first round. Bridges defended Cunningham more than anyone else on the team during the regular season. It’s likely he takes on the Cunningham assignment when the series commences on Saturday night.
Detroit took three of four games against the Knicks in the regular season and Cunningham was at the center of the Pistons’ strong play. In four games against the Knicks, Cunningham was brilliant, averaging 30.8 points on 56 percent from the field and 8.3 assists.
Cunningham is a nightmare for all opponents. Standing 6-foot-8, the guard is a maestro in the pick-and-roll. Cunningham gets to his spots and has developed an array of floaters, hook shots, and an effective mid-range jumper when he’s unable to get all the way to the rim. He’s also a good enough three-point shooter to keep the defense honest. The Knicks defend the pick-and-roll in drop coverage where the defender of the screener drops back into the paint, which can allow Cunningham to get into his comfort zone.
Defending Cunningham isn’t a one man job. OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride have all taken turns guarding the Pistons All-Star along with Bridges. Individual defensive stats can be noisy, but Cunningham shot 8-for-21 (38 percent) with Bridges defending him.
One weakness of Cunningham is turnovers. He was second in turnovers per 36 minutes (4.5). If the Knicks can be disruptive and bring occasional help, they could force a few turnovers and create easier scoring opportunities.
This has not been Bridges’ best defensive season. A former runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, the Knicks looked to Bridges to be a great point of attack defender. That was not the case this season. Bridges got caught up on screens and couldn’t stay in front of guards as the likes of Trae Young, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum lit up the Knicks at various moments.
Bridges has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and there’s a chance he can turn up the aggression on the defensive end and be a pest for Cunningham. But it won’t work if he doesn’t navigate screens better and get physical with the Pistons guard.
Offensive advantage
Though the main focus for Bridges will be on the defensive end, the Knicks will also need him to contribute on offense. He shot 35.4 percent from the three-point line, the lowest percentage of his career since his rookie season. Bridges gradually improved as a passer late in the season. He averaged 5.1 assists in his final 19 games, not including his season finale cameo.
Bridges excels in the midrange, but the Knicks also have to find ways to get him easy opportunities on timely cuts and corner threes. Though Detroit has a stout defense, there are some soft spots to pick at from the hard shell of a defense. The club plays smaller guards in former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley. Though both players are capable of heating up from three, they are vulnerable on defense.
With the Pistons’ best perimeter defender Ausar Thompson locked in on Brunson, there’s opportunity for Bridges to feast. In the four games against Detroit, Bridges averaged 19.8 points on 56.6 percent from the field and 52 percent from behind the arc.
The Bridges that is aggressive on defense and constantly in motion and attacking on offense is just what the Knicks need in the first round.
