The template for the development of the future flank – Mikal Bridges.
Back in the rookie season, people have seen the potential in Bridges' body, and they have regarded him as the best wing of the 18th, the league's future top 3D, but now, 4 years later, Bridges has grown to the height you expect?
Purely from the standard of 3D, he is obviously not up to the top, at least in terms of three-point shooting, Bridges is not good enough, the production is too low, no season averages more than 2.0 per game, career average shooting rate is only 37.4%, can only be regarded as an ordinary level pitcher, but if we open our eyes a little, don't always measure him by rules, maybe you can see Bridges, that shining side.
Bridges is not what we think, like Ariza, Danny Green, Covington this kind of 3D, when attacking, crouching in the bottom corner of the sides, or 45 degrees, mainly responsible for pulling away the space, seizing those empty opportunities, turning back, and then fully engaged in the defense, compared to them, Bridges is more like an all-round flank, 3D is just one of his labels, in addition, Bridges is also a bridgehead in the counterattack, cutting off the blade of the defense, the secret weapon of the attack and so on.
Switching offense, can get 1.37 points per round, ahead of the league's 89.2% of the players, Bridges is like a sports car, as long as he sees his teammates less rebounding in the backcourt, he will step on the throttle, 2 backcourt core Booker and Paul, can also accurately lock the direction of his progress, people to the ball, in one go;
Empty cut, can get 1.41 points per round, ahead of the league's 74.6% players, Bridges is not like other 3D, will only wait for opportunities, he will continue to run without the ball, tearing the opponent's defense, as long as the opponent does not pay attention, Bridges will immediately seize the gap, remember to fight with the Jazz, he key moments, 4 empty cuts, 4 wins, successfully helped the Suns kill the game;
Hand-to-hand, 1.17 points per round, ahead of 89.6% of the league's players;
Around the cover, score 0.99 points per round, leading the league by 54.1% of players;
These data can reflect Bridges's power on the no-ball end, although many scoring methods, not conventional weapons, but he still has a high finishing efficiency, so whenever the game is stuck in a stalemate, Bridges can always inadvertently save the team, or empty cuts, or hand over a three-pointer, or pull a mid-range around the cover (alas, this is the work of role players).
Not only can he play without the ball, Bridges also has a certain level of ball possession, and this season, he has launched a total of 50 blocking attacks, scoring 1.10 points per round, ahead of 92.9% of the players in the league.
In addition, Bridges' ball quotient is also excellent, in the process of passing the ball, he can also accurately find a teammate in a good position, send exquisite assists, this season, Bridges has 8 games at least 5 assists.
Finally, a boast of defense, in this year's DPOY selection, Bridges' vote rate is second only to Marcus Smart, on this data, it is enough to prove his ability on the defensive end, as the Sun's defensive arrow, Bridges not only has to stare at the most difficult opponents every night, but also to help Booker and Paul assist in defense, and from time to time to supplement the inside line, the average defensive running distance per game is the highest in the whole team, it is really a father and a mother.
Looking back, is Bridges the most versatile wing in the league today? No ball is extremely efficient, occasionally can hold the ball, can assist, and can defend, right, he also has one of the most important advantages, that is, attendance, career so far, has not missed a game, really heaven, really do not know where Bridges's energy comes from? Is he really made of iron? The defense is tired enough, and the offensive end can still be efficient.
Therefore, the sudden rise of the sun, not only Paul's credit, but also the growth of young players, especially Bridges, also played a very big boost.
With the emergence of Bridges, the direction of the development of the league flank is bound to change, 3D is no longer the first choice, like Bridges, even if the three points are not accurate, the best championship puzzle.