With less than two weeks until the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, Mikal Bridges is determined to be the X-Factor for the Knicks’ offense. Following the gargantuan trade to acquire Bridges, which included an astonishing five first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges 2024-25 season was met with mixed reviews. With the exodus of five first round picks, expectations soared for the production Bridges would bring to the Knicks. However, his first season was defined by trial-and-error, in which Bridges would momentarily find rhythm one game, and outright disappear the next.
Bridges’ had several defining moments with the Knicks last season. Bridges scorched earth with 41-point Christmas Day Game and executed the back-to-back game cinching steals in Games 1 & 2 of the ECSF against the Boston Celtics. That said, his overall season left much to be desired.
Three Ways Mikal Bridges Can Be X-Factor for New York Knicks
The Knicks displayed their trust in Bridges as an integral puzzle piece for the Knick’s title aspirations. Over the summer, the Knicks signed the 29-year-old starter to a 4-year, $150 million extension. The goal now is for the Knick’s New Head Coach Mike Brown to maximize Bridges’ potential within the offense. Ultimately, Brown will utilize Bridges’ off-ball movement, 3-point shooting, and unprecedented cardio to wreak havoc on opposing NBA teams. In turn, here are three ways Mikal Bridges can be the New York Knicks X-Factor.
Transition Offense
According to NBA tracking data, Bridges’ was tied for 2nd last season in the NBA for in-game distance covered with 2.8 miles a game and the most overall total miles at the end of the season with 231.10. Bridges’ ability to run is not lost on Mike Brown, who has recognized Bridges’ conditioning as an intangible asset. Brown himself reported his desire to implement a faster-paced offense and apply pressure for defensives to make adjustments in transition.
Ideally, Brown can increase the volume of transition attempts for Bridges, who had roughly 3.6 transition possessions and 4.2 transition points last season. If the Knicks stay true in adopting their newfound tempo, Bridges will be one of the biggest benefactors.
On-Ball Playmaking
2024-25 was an adjustment year for Bridges, who had free reign during his tenure in Brooklyn. The contrasting stats from his last year in Brookyln and his first year in New York emphasize Bridges’ reduction in on-ball scoring.
According to Basketball Reference, Bridges’ Usage Rate dropped from 22% in 2023-24 to 17% in 2024-25. Likewise, the amount of overall Field Goals Bridges’ was assisted on skyrocketed upon joining the Knicks. In his last year with Brooklyn, 49% of Bridges’ field goals were assisted, in comparison to his first year with the Knicks, where Bridges had a staggering 68% of his Field Goals assisted.
Mike Brown mentioned his desire to replace the heliocentric half-court offense in favor of a more egalitarian offense. As a result, Bridges will be in a position to take over more on-ball scoring and playmaking responsibilities.
Getting to the Line
One glaring area of improvement for Bridges was his inability to play aggressive and get to the line last season. Knicks fans noticed Bridges aversion to contact on the offensive end as he was prone to shy away from contact.
The lack of physical aggression on offensive was not merely the eye-test. Counting stats supported the Knicks fandom. Data showed that Bridges drew only 52 shooting fouls the entire season, which averaged out to 1.9 FTA a game.
However, this was not the norm for Bridges’ in Brooklyn. In the 2023-24 season, Bridges garnered 127 shooting fouls with a game average of 5.5 FTA per game. Likewise, in interesting statistic is that in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, Bridges’ averaged a 81.4% free throw shooting percentage. While the 3-point margin seems slight, five chances versus one chance at a shot where you shoot 81.4% is leaving free points on the table.With added on-ball opportunity, Bridges’ will not rely on off-ball fading midranges as much. However, the onus is on Bridges as well to attack with confidence and vigor.
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