© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Report names Mikal Bridges as one of the "least improved players" this season
By looking at the Brooklyn Nets' current season exploits this 2023-24, Mikal Bridges holds a mysterious case as the team's lead man.
In what could be his first full season of takeover as the franchise's newest star, Mikal has been nothing short of underwhelming. He hasn't flashed any consistent signs that he is truly the guy for Brooklyn, and his season average of 21.2 points stands as plainly disappointing after the 26.1 markers he registered from the previous season as a Net.
From this, an article has recognized the lack of improvement coming from Bridges despite the robust fact that he has the initial proof to shine as a bonafide star.
"A least improved player"
In a piece published by Michael Piña of The Ringer, Mikal was named as one of the "least improved players" this 2023-24 season — joining the likes of Jordan Poole, Deandre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic and Zion Williamson.
Piña argued that Bridges turned into a disappointment after developing high regard that he is more than just a high-quality role player from his previous seasons with the Phoenix Suns and that he is "evidently miscast as a first option" by the Nets so far.
Besides the massive drop in the scoring averages, Piña further pointed out the critical dip in Mikal's accuracy, which has been affected by the degree of difficulty in his shot attempts.
"Bridges' accuracy at the rim is down. His effectiveness from the midrange—where he made over 50 percent of the seven pull-up 2s he launched per game on the Nets (a star quality) last season—has decreased. The volume and accuracy are down, but the degree of difficulty is up, with a whopping 71 percent of his midrange shots being unassisted—numbers that speak to the challenge of having the ball in his hands more than anyone else on such a disjointed roster."
Is it fair for Mikal to shoulder the heaviest load and expectations for the Nets?
Perhaps it's just way too much to ask for Mikal to occupy the Nets' helm, considering the massive responsibilities that he has to carry since landing in Brooklyn. Besides providing the scoring punch, he is also designated to defending the opposing team's best perimeter player — a role that has been stapled to him since his Phoenix days.
Nevertheless, it might be good to assume that Mikal shouldn't necessarily emerge as the main man. He might be most suited as the second or third leading core unit based on the tasking two-way capabilities that he has to fulfill. It's completely understandable if he won't steer the ship for as long as his productions are steady and his numbers are consistent.
At the end of the day, the Nets couldn't be more gratified in gaining Bridges as an important piece to their franchise moving forward. The regular season still has a lot to play for, and the 27-year-old holds more chances to improve his numbers and rising star arc.
