In 2017, there was, The case for Jonathan Isaac...
In 2018, I bring to you, The case for Mikal Bridges!
First off, in none of those cases was I ever the first or only one to support the player and that is not my intent here either. Whoever wants that glory can have it. This is merely a place to be the gathering spot to passionately debate the player and make a case for why he should be our pick.
Most who know me, know I would be thrilled if the Magic took Trae Young, but that's another debate and I'm not sure if WeHam would honestly pick him. I think they have super strong belief system on how a team should be built and I don't think they would all of a sudden deviate against that. But Mikal is definitely someone that should be near the top of their wish list!
Here's why...
Suffocating Length
ESPN...
"At 6-foot-7 with a 7'2 wingspan, Bridges is a prototypical multipositional prospect for the current NBA. His ability to defend multiple positions, shoot 3-pointers and slash to the basket has league executives suspecting he could be an even more impactful pro than collegian."
CNNSI...
Bridges’ length is much more noticeable — and vital to his game — than is his height. Bridges has a 7-foot-2 wingspan, according to Sporting News, and that is what allows him to be a menace on defense. Bridges averages 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game this season and always makes opponents think twice about what they’re going to do with the ball when he is around.
The first thing that pops out in both quotes from different sources is his whopping 7'2 wingspan! I've seen it listed from anywhere from 7'0 to 7'2. If it's truly 7'2, then that puts him into rarified air. To put that into perspective that's longer than Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac who all share a 7'0 wingspan. Kawhi Leoanrd is 6'6 with a 7'3 wingspan and Draymond Green is 6'6 with a 7'1 wingspan.
NBA coaches daydream about what this kind of length could do for their defense.
Versatility
"There's space in the NBA on the floor, and there's this move toward positionless basketball that I fit into," Bridges told ESPN. "I can shoot the ball. I can defend. I can move without the ball. I'm progressing in my game, getting better through work every day."
Given his size and length, I would be shocked if Bridges didn't spend some meaningful time during his NBA career playing power forward. Between his general switchability, competitive rebounding when pitted against bigs, and stout work defending the post, it just makes too much sense. Bridges' ceiling could be determined by how effectively he fills that role in smaller, more versatile lineups.
On the other end of the spectrum: One could imagine Bridges, a few years from now, changing the course of a playoff series when his coach assigns him to hound an opposing point guard.
His physical attributes combined with really impressive court sense make Bridges capable of defending 1-4. It was not uncommon to see Bridges switching constantly through screens. He’s quick enough to shadow a penetrating guard and sizable enough to contest a big man in the post, and whoever our next coach is.... will LOVE that.
Depsite the versatility, I believe that if Bridges is the pick then I would want his starting spot being at SG. That's the only position where his length is overwhelming versus his competition. At SF, there are enough long players to make his length average for the position. But the switching options are as open as coach wants to be creative.
Elite Defense
Elite defense isn't a word you toss around lightly, but it's truly the case with Bridges.
"The way Villanova defends really showcases Bridges at his best. I found myself waiting for games to return to that end of the floor, if only to watch him cycle from opponent to opponent without leaving the slightest gap in the coverage. Defensive switching has many forms and competencies. This is the most promising kind—the switch not as a last resort, but as a form of control. Bridges does so much to dictate where his opponents can go and, crucially, where they cannot. Even in cases where the communication on switches isn't perfect, Bridges can recover instantly to fill the gap. Opposing players really do not like throwing passes when Bridges is around. "
“We put him on the best player. And he’s fine with that. He actually enjoys that,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said of Bridges’ defense.
Rapid Offensive Progression
Bridges scoring average spiked each season, but the impressive thing was his 3pt efficiency growth. He hit only 29.9 percent of his 3-pointers as a freshman in the 2015-16 campaign and improved that mark to 39.3 percent last season. This season, he knocked down 43.5 percent of his 3-pointers.
What's the reason for his improvement?
Quick Release
High Release Point
Efficient Form
That form is efficient, it's adaptable, and it should work smoothly even against a closing defender. High marks for Bridges as a potential shooter in the NBA, where his ability to space the floor will be even more meaningful.
One thing bugging Magic fans is wanting to draft a guy who can be an impact scorer right away. We don't want defenders with raw offensive games that are 2-3 years out from developing. So with Bridges, he addresses that concern. He is entering the draft as a Junior and as such, he is naturally more advanced in his game than the typical one and dones. Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma reopened eyes with their readiness as upperclassmen. Bridges could be next in line.
Winning
The Magic need to rebuild a winning culture and the best way to do that is to bring in guys who don't accept losing. That goes a lot farther than winning meaningless games at the end of a losing season. Bringing in guys who have been a part of winning programs is no new strategy for us. But bringing in guys who have actually LEAD championship programs, now THAT would be a new strategy for us!
Mikal has been a part of 2 National Championships in 3 years and was the leader of their most recent one this season.
"I bring winning to your team," Bridges told ESPN. "I learned about that at Villanova, what is a winning, championship atmosphere and what you've got to do to achieve it. You have to always be locked in. Two championships in three years -- not a lot of people have done that."
Team Chemistry
Our chemistry is in the gutter right now. Young players fighting for playing time... Selfish basketball being played in contract years... Players wanting to remake themselves... Struggling vets playing on 1 year "prove it" contracts being more selfish than mentors... What we have left is a team in full deterioration.
WeHam has started to make moves to clean house, but our summer movement should be dramatic. Even bringing back Aaron Gordon should be in doubt. The only truly safe player should be Jonathan Isaac and we don't even know what we have in him.
Why does this all matter? Because any rookie coming in will need to have thick skin. He will have to be centered in knowing who he is because he will be seen as "the guy stealing their jobs". Our sorry and selfish team endured another year of losing and they know heads are on the chopping block.
The good thing is that Mikal Bridges doesn't seek the spotlight. Almost to his draft detriment, he prefers to stay low key. In fact his role models are Jimmy Butler, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
"They weren't phenoms when they came out of school," Bridges said. "They weren't always on top and dominating. They were very low-key guys. They kept getting better and better."
If Bridges were as flamboyant as Young or Doncic his draft stock might be higher, but right now, he is not a sexy prospect. His draft range is currently between 7-10. It might be considered a reach for the Magic to take him at 5, but funnier things have happened. We already saw how Oladipo and Hezonja flew up the boards and into our laps.
Bridges vs the field
If the Magic secure a pick in the Top 3, the odds will certainly increase against Bridges. Doncic, Ayton and Bagley are the universal Top 3 and I don't believe WeHam has big enough balls to go against the norm that much. But at 5, Bridges makes a lot of sense. JJJ reminds me of another Noah Vonleh or Marquese Chriss type. Porter is always going to be an injury risk because spinal injuries are high risk plus the fact that he plays soft and avoids contact. Young makes sense, but it's hard to identify him as a WeHam guy. Bamba is long, but it's easier to find long big men, than long wings. Plus, Bamba is another highly raw offensive player. Mikal fits the best of all combinations. He's a long athletic 2 way player whose combination of size and skill is very rare, plus he is more developed and accomplished than his peers in the field. He's ready to go on Day 1.
The Future Outlook
Base Offense:
SG Mikal Bridges
SF Jonathan Isaac
PF Aaron Gordon
Base Defense:
SG Mikal Bridges
SF Aaron Gordon
PF Jonathan Isaac
That's a trio in the right age range that can learn and grow together. Isaac, 20 years old. Bridges, 21 years old. Gordon, 22 years old. How we surround them going forward will obviously play a huge factor, but our "Evaluation Year" is over and I expect WeHam to start a new culture. That doesn't happen with our current leaders in place. A new regime must emerge. Bridges has the grit and leadership to lead us into a new era.
In a fast changing league where coaches are breaking new barriers, one can imagine a player with Bridges’ size, skill, and intelligence really coming into his own. I believe there is a legitimate case for the Orlando Magic selecting Mikal Bridges on draft day.
Great piece on him prior to this season.
Links:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/864549-nba-basketball-what-qualifies-as-a-freakish-wingspan-in-the-league
https://www.si.com/nba/2018/03/29/nba-draft-2018-mikal-bridges-villanova-ncaa-tournament-march-madnes
https://www.landof10.com/big-ten/mikal-bridges-villanova-nba-draft-stats-bio-national-championship-game
