Miles Bridges Arrested: Felony Domestic Violence, Wife Speaks Pg.85

[luciano-davidwesley]

I mean that's nice and all except his actual on court production hasn't gone up to match so... yay I guess?

His minutes and touches have probably dropped due to Hayward's arrival though.

[yosemiteben]

I mean that's nice and all except his actual on court production hasn't gone up to match so... yay I guess?

His net rating went up from -10 last season to +1 this season.

His TS% went up from 52% last season to 63% this season.

I feel like you have to be a little head in the sand to say he hasn't improved at all.

When he was playing next to primary playmakers, his efficiency dramatically improved. When those playmakers have been out, he's stepped in a huge way. It just doesn't seem fair to say "he still sucks, just the same as last year."

[SWedd523]

I mean that's nice and all except his actual on court production hasn't gone up to match so... yay I guess?

I feel like you have to be a little head in the sand to say he hasn't improved at all.

When he was playing next to primary playmakers, his efficiency dramatically improved. When those playmakers have been out, he's stepped in a huge way. It just doesn't seem fair to say "he still sucks, just the same as last year."

Thank you for the two overly reductive and goal post moving arguments that don't really deserve a serious response.

[yosemiteben]

I mean that's nice and all except his actual on court production hasn't gone up to match so... yay I guess?

I feel like you have to be a little head in the sand to say he hasn't improved at all.

When he was playing next to primary playmakers, his efficiency dramatically improved. When those playmakers have been out, he's stepped in a huge way. It just doesn't seem fair to say "he still sucks, just the same as last year."

Thank you for the two overly reductive and goal post moving arguments that don't really deserve a serious response.

I thought the goalpost was "There's been little to no upward (statistical) trajectory in his game since the start of his sophomore season."

I pointed that, ya know, there has been statistical improvement. Your response was "well that's nice but he hasn't produced any better." (Speaking of goalpost moving...)

I then address the on court production comment, saying he's gotten more efficient when playing with playmakers and he's just all all around when playing without them, and it's me moving the goalposts?

It seems objectively undeniable that his 2019-20 and 2020-21 stat lines show meaningful improvement in his game, as does the eye test. His efficiency has shown massive improvement. I mean his 3PT% alone went up from 33% to 41%. How can that not be considered significant? If your argument is that those stats don't really matter and he's still the same guy, that's what I'm having a hard time with.

Analysts like Zach Lowe are taking notice:

Read on Twitter

/

[Snidely FC]

Here's the whole piece from Lowe:

4. Miles Bridges, adding layers
Bridges' emergence as the league's most electrifying in-game dunker/soul-snatcher is overshadowing his growth into a seasoned all-around player -- improvements that have huge implications for the Charlotte Hornets as Bridges hurtles toward extension talks.

In January, I wrote about Bridges' leap as a passer -- in transition, out of post-ups, and after screening in the pick-and-roll. Optimists saw those dimes and envisioned him as Charlotte's Draymond Green -- a playmaking power forward who could switch across all five positions on defense.

There is only one Green. Bridges is a decent defender, Green an all-time great. Bridges is averaging 2.2 assists per game, and can be tentative off the dribble.

But Green could never shoot like Bridges is now. Bridges is a handful of made free throws from the 50/40/90 club. He is 32-of-71 on pull-up 3s after hitting 24-of-84 over his first two seasons. He's even launching going to his right -- his weak hand:

If this sustains, the threat of that shot will turn Bridges into a better driver and passer.

Bridges and P.J. Washington are similar players. Washington is bigger and longer -- a more natural small-ball center. Until this season, Washington was the superior outside shooter. Bridges plays with more hunger.

The Hornets don't have to choose; they have outscored opponents by six points per 100 possessions with Bridges and Washington on the floor, and take on an ultra-modern look when they go center-less -- with Bridges and Washington as their only bigs.

[Chapelchilla]

Here's the whole piece from Lowe:

4. Miles Bridges, adding layers
Bridges' emergence as the league's most electrifying in-game dunker/soul-snatcher is overshadowing his growth into a seasoned all-around player -- improvements that have huge implications for the Charlotte Hornets as Bridges hurtles toward extension talks.

In January, I wrote about Bridges' leap as a passer -- in transition, out of post-ups, and after screening in the pick-and-roll. Optimists saw those dimes and envisioned him as Charlotte's Draymond Green -- a playmaking power forward who could switch across all five positions on defense.

There is only one Green. Bridges is a decent defender, Green an all-time great. Bridges is averaging 2.2 assists per game, and can be tentative off the dribble.

But Green could never shoot like Bridges is now. Bridges is a handful of made free throws from the 50/40/90 club. He is 32-of-71 on pull-up 3s after hitting 24-of-84 over his first two seasons. He's even launching going to his right -- his weak hand:

If this sustains, the threat of that shot will turn Bridges into a better driver and passer.

Bridges and P.J. Washington are similar players. Washington is bigger and longer -- a more natural small-ball center. Until this season, Washington was the superior outside shooter. Bridges plays with more hunger.

The Hornets don't have to choose; they have outscored opponents by six points per 100 possessions with Bridges and Washington on the floor, and take on an ultra-modern look when they go center-less -- with Bridges and Washington as their only bigs.

I agree with that take. It's pretty obvious to anyone who knows hoops and is paying attention that Miles has improved, is still improving and is likely to be a very good player sooner then later. Not MJ level amazing but as someone wrote earlier, Shawn Marion level very very good is within reach. Plus, the excitement factor is not nothing in the Entertainment business.

[BigSlam]

Interesting:

Mikal Bridges Could Make $20M Per Season On Next Contract

Mikal Bridges will become eligible for a contract extension with the Phoenix Suns this offseason.

Bridges is averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 40.1 percent on three-pointers in this third NBA season.

"Rival executives expect Bridges' deal might approach $20 million per season," wrote Zach Lowe.

The Suns must also consider extending Deandre Ayton while Chris Paul could become a free agent. Phoenix already has Devin Booker on a max contract.

If their Bridges is worth $20mil per year on those averages then I'd think our Bridges would command the same sort of money?

[Liver_Pooty]

Interesting:

Mikal Bridges Could Make $20M Per Season On Next Contract

Mikal Bridges will become eligible for a contract extension with the Phoenix Suns this offseason.

Bridges is averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 40.1 percent on three-pointers in this third NBA season.

"Rival executives expect Bridges' deal might approach $20 million per season," wrote Zach Lowe.

The Suns must also consider extending Deandre Ayton while Chris Paul could become a free agent. Phoenix already has Devin Booker on a max contract.

If their Bridges is worth $20mil per year on those averages then I'd think our Bridges would command the same sort of money?

Mikal is generally regarded as better than Miles although this last month may have changed that. It's definitely a good comparison. Sun's fans have no problem paying Mikal either.

[Diop]

As much as I’m scared of getting lumped with big contracts again, I have a bigger fear of losing Bridges and him maintaining this level of play.

I have little doubt he’s going to get paid well and I can’t get angry at that

[Liver_Pooty]

As much as I’m scared of getting lumped with big contracts again, I have a bigger fear of losing Bridges and him maintaining this level of play.

I have little doubt he’s going to get paid well and I can’t get angry at that

Agreed. Hes continously improving defensively. Probably one of if not the best pure athlete in the league. Shoots 40 plus from 3. Might be better finishing with his right hand than his dominant left hand. Shoots free throws well. Can guard multiple positions. Those kinds of players get paid.

[Diop]

The injuries to monk and ball could end up being a real positive to the team as it got miles to really take an extra step with his game.
The team seems so much more dangerous now

[Roll Tide 09]

All I know is that we shouldn’t let a player, who will probably average at least 24-8-4, walk.


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[euphorbus]

The injuries to Monk and Ball could end up being a real positive to the team as it got miles to really take an extra step with his game.
The team seems so much more dangerous now.

Starting and getting consistent minutes make a huge difference in a players' development and confidence. Remember how Coach Borrego kept Miles on the bench to preserve some firepower when he or Monk entered the game? How quaint that seems now.

[SpearNMgicHelmt]

Miles showed yesterday that he's going to stay aggressive and productive with the other guys coming back.

He's scoring consistently in a variety of ways, passing well, playing defense. He's hellafun to watch. He has great chemistry with LaMelo. Pay him whatever it takes to keep him here.

Clearly we've been snake-bit as a fanbase for us to be questioning that. The only thing Bridges and Batum have in common in the B in their last name.

[euphorbus]

Bridges is averaging high minutes recently. He played six games in a ten-day period, beginning April 23: 36, 33, 41, 38, 35, 31 minutes, for an average of 35.7 minutes per game. That's some heavy lifting in such a short period of time. Only Terry Rozier averaged more minutes in April, at 36.1.

During April, Bridges averaged 51.6% from the field and 46.7% from three, with 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He and Rozier were the clear leaders of the team last month. In March, Miles was averaging only 26 minutes, coming off the bench.

[Robot Rock]

Miles has made the leap. If you haven’t seen it, you haven’t been watching.

[Snidely FC]

Well first you hope he’s not poorly and then you just shake your head at the timing

[Bassman]

Yikes, the dreaded Covid protocol for Miles. Hope he remains well and light to no symptoms. Hope others aren’t affected but that is now a real possibility. As much as I’d love to see us in the playoffs, we may miss out due to this latest episode of bad luck. Miles has been playing monster ball. I had almost written him off as hitting his ceiling, but he’s shown some serious acceleration. I think he gets a big extension and is part of the future, regardless of what happens this season.

[Hornet Mania]

Why does god hate us?

[euphorbus]

SkyMiles has been grounded. I hope he comes back strong, but you never know.