I’m not going to pretend like I watched a ton of Suns games when Bridges was there (saw a bunch of playoff games during their finals run) or nyets games when he was there (only watched him when they played the Knicks), but based on what I’ve seen for the dozen games in the orange and blue, Bridges does not look to be a shut-down defender. He seems more like a disruptor and is more comfortable off the ball where he can get in the passing lanes for deflections and steals, or guarding smaller guards where his length can bother their shots (see his defense on Dame and the game saving block last night). I think Mikal will be opportunistic on the defensive end and the hope is that he will make these plays when we need them most like last night.

The defensive end has been a struggle, but we are tied for 13th, in the league defensively. With the spacing and even more of an emphasis on the 3 pt shot, scoring is up across the league. It’s a long season and we definitely need to tighten up, defensively. When adding new players to a team, most people figure the chemistry issues are mainly on the offensive end, but defensively, it can be just as difficult. Players need to get used to new schemes, coaches trying to figure out which dchemes work best with new personel, communication with each other, etc. But in the meantime, if we can figure out a way to get key stops and or make key defensive plays in crunch time, the vision will be a little less blurry.

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:I have not watched Mikal much but my impression was that he is a better POA defender than off ball disruptor but I could be wrong.

Normally. Mikal’s footwork is kind of wonky at POA lately. Not sure if he is just trying too hard for the steal instead of staying in front of his man. But I also think he is used to picking the ball up off the inbound and not at half court. Not saying it should be different, but might be worth letting him get to work sooner, find his groove.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KnicksMuse/status/1858584559589179873

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KnicksMuse/status/1858898282698694752

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/JLEdwardsIII/status/1858851163518447718

martin wrote:Another part of the vision: Mid range space for others

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/blames_/status/1858883316260196683

This is good. Seems like bridges is strictly a corner 3pt shooter, so if he has the space to maneuver in the midrange, it opens plenty of opportunities for him to be an offensive weapon we need him to be.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Another part of the vision: Mid range space for others

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/blames_/status/1858883316260196683

This is good. Seems like bridges is strictly a corner 3pt shooter, so if he has the space to maneuver in the midrange, it opens plenty of opportunities for him to be an offensive weapon we need him to be.

Should Thibs tell him to completely remove above the break threes from his shot diet and just focus on the corners?

He is coming up 2 feet short on any 3 pt shots not in the corner. I don't think he was this bad on the Nets - feel like it had to do with the form tinkering.

VDesai wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Another part of the vision: Mid range space for others

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/blames_/status/1858883316260196683

This is good. Seems like bridges is strictly a corner 3pt shooter, so if he has the space to maneuver in the midrange, it opens plenty of opportunities for him to be an offensive weapon we need him to be.

Should Thibs tell him to completely remove above the break threes from his shot diet and just focus on the corners?

He is coming up 2 feet short on any 3 pt shots not in the corner. I don't think he was this bad on the Nets - feel like it had to do with the form tinkering.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/brungod/status/1858890366545530950

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/bigknickenergy_/status/1859016259582734627

By December we should have Deuce and Precious back. Mitch will probably start practicing with the team by then. There’s a very strong chance that we go on our usual Dec-January 10+ games winning streak explosion.