Is Mikal Bridges poised for Defensive Player consideration soon?
Is Mikal Bridges suited to become a DPOY? The question grows in importance as we move forward in the NBA season. Mikal Bridges, a current member of the Brooklyn Nets, has always been a quality defender. His defensive versatility makes him a unique player. This article discusses Bridges’ defensive statistics, alongside his Net impact, to determine if he has any chance at winning DPOY.
Statistical Breakdown of Mikal Bridges’ Defensive Prowess
Mikal Bridges has worked his way into the reputation of being a versatile defender. He is able to switch between most positions, even handling the odd assignment against a power forward or center. In the 2022-2023 season, Bridges averaged 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. His defensive rating was an impressive 105.6, ranking him among the top defenders in the league. This statistic measures the number of points allowed per 100 possessions when he is on the court.
Bridges’ ability to disrupt other teams’ offenses is shown by his potential to affect their shooting percentages. Opponents shot only 43% from the field against him. This efficiency measures how effective he is at not allowing the other team to score. And his on-ball pressure is evident. He was third in the NBA for having the opponents’ field goal percentage drop when they shot against him with this kind of percentage. He is also a solid floor defender.
Defensive Versatility and Impact on Team Success
When determining if Mikal Bridges is ready to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Marcus Smart or Rudy Gobert for the 2023-2024 season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, it’s essential to take a good look at his versatility. Bridges doesn’t just play defense well in one dimension; he’s got it down in several defensive roles. For starters, he guards the primary ball handler in effective, impressive ways (not without some help from him being, you know, 6’6″ with a 7-foot wingspan). But he can also seamlessly switch onto big men and not lose a beat in his effectiveness.
A bridge does not just serve one statistical purpose. It is multi-layered, often with portals and some element of surprise (the best have that!) leading the viewer to the other side. So, when I take a close look at what is set up here, with a two-way statistical bridge leading across the gulf from last year’s defense to this year’s, I can see some things very clearly indeed.
The Brooklyn Nets have demonstrated noticeable improvement on the defensive side of the ball since his arrival. With Bridges now in the fold, the Nets’ defensive rating improved from 112.7 to 109.8 during the 2022-2023 season. This sharp uptick underscores the importance of the ex-Toronto Raptor as a defensive leader in Brooklyn.
Defensive Player of the Year Criteria
Grasping the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award’s criteria is crucial for making sense of Bridges’ candidacy. The choosing agents have in mind a certain type of player who is not just good in individual defensive metrics but also makes his team’s defense work well. And then, beyond the digits, they look at things like how well a player leads the defense, how well he makes plays that change the game’s dynamic, and how well he guards several different types of offensive players.
The award in recent years has often gone to players who can show they not only have individual excellence but also impact the team. Smart and Gobert have obviously set the level high. Bridges isn’t there yet, I don’t think, but he’s probably the best potential candidate for the award in a year when the field appears weak.
Is Mikal Bridges Poised for Defensive Player Consideration Soon?
As the 2023-2024 season unfolds, the focus on Mikal Bridges shines brighter and brighter. What the young man does on the floor renews talks of him as a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year. Beyond that, what he does—both in terms of performance and living up to the “consistency is key” mantra—makes the Brooklyn Nets look a little better than a team trying to avoid the NBA basement.
Statistically, Bridges continues to run with a defensive number that deserves more and more recognition: his individual defensive rating is 107.5, which ranks him (as of this writing) ninth among players who have appeared in at least ten games. His 107.5 is also one of the eight best ratings of any player in the NBA for the 2023-2024 season.
In addition, the expansion of player stats will be crucial in forming his story. Closing the distance from excellent personal metrics to squad success will in the end spell his name for DPOY. For example, if the Nets keep a top-five defensive rating, Bridges will pop out of the DPOY forest. Thus, the team’s success will spotlight his candidacy.
Conclusion
To conclude, is Mikal Bridges ready to be considered for the Defensive Player award anytime soon? Only time will tell, of course, but his current upward trajectory seems to suggest a pleasant future. The types of qualities that voters for the award look for seem to be embodied in him: strong defensive ability, versatility, and a sort of leadership that makes a team much better on the end of the floor where they get judged for their lack of “D.” Keep it up, Mr. Bridges, and you could find yourself in some award convos.
Explore More on us
Discover insightful blogs on our Blogging Space, check our SoloStat Score Explanation, and learn more about NBA All-Defensive Team.