Bridges may be key for Suns in restart
Mikal Bridges has already played an important role in Phoenix's improvement from last season to this season.
Able to play three positions and guard four, shoot the three, score in transition and put the ball on the floor to either score or create for others, Bridges helps the Suns utilize different lineups and better adjust to their opponents.
As much as he did after fighting for minutes, the competitive Bridges, who plays with a subtle edge, too, will have to do even more for the Suns in this NBA restart.
Phoenix (26-39) opens the eight regular-season seeding games July 31 against Washington (24-40) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
"We're brothers," Bridges said. "We're going to love each other. When we go out there, I think we're going to bring that intensity and play as hard as we can."
If the games are played with even more pace than before, that really suits Bridges' game. He has the speed to score in transition and get easy buckets. Combine that with his endurance, Bridges can wear out the defender trying to keep up with him.
These shouldn't be called pick-up games because this is basketball at its highest level. However, if they're more up-and-down than half-court action, Bridges can be an even bigger difference maker for the underdog Suns.
"He can be huge," Suns point guard Cameron Payne said after Sunday's practice. "He actually surprised me on how well he can shoot the ball. His shooting is off the charts. His length. He's always in the passing lane. Always able to contest shots. Always able to get blocks. His intelligence on defense is great. He talks. He gets into the ball. He's actually a great player. If anyone says different, I can argue about it. I see it every day in practice. He's so versatile offensively and defensively."
The Suns will play the first of three exhibition games Thursday against Utah with Monty Williams looking for a more confident Bridges to give them even more.
"I want him to be who he is and who you guys saw in that first 65 (games), but I also want him to be more aggressive with the ball on offense because he makes the right plays," Williams said. "Even if he makes a mistake every now and again, I think that's going to help him get to the next level as far as his confidence is concerned."
Bridges' versatility will be huge for the Suns, especially if they lack a full roster.
Let's say starting point guard Ricky Rubio isn't available for whatever reason.
The Suns won't confirm whether he's in the Orlando Bubble or not as Williams has repeatedly said he can't discuss who is or isn't there due to medical privacy reasons.
That may lead to Devin Booker starting at point guard and have Bridges play the two. He can certainly defend two guards with his height, length, quickness and length.
Booker will likely see minutes at the one anyway as he's done it in the past, but the Suns can comfortably make that call knowing Bridges can play shooting guard.
Bridges had struggles with his shot earlier in the season largely because of an inconsistent release that had a hitch in it. Instead of staying in that unsteady trend, Bridges put in the work to improve his shot with assistant Darko Rajaković.
"He and Darko have been the lab a ton," Williams said. "I've watched those guys, the progression with him. Showing him on film what he did at Villanova and just trying to get him to see it and give him a rhythm."
Bridges connected on 43.5% of his 3s his third and final season in college, but hit just 33.5% of them as a rookie.
He missed 22 of his first 28 attempts from 3 in Phoenix's first 18 games this season.
Bridges warmed up in December as he connected on 40.7% of his 3s that month, cooled in January at 31.6%, but rekindled from deep in February at 42.9%.
Working with Rajaković on not only his release, but footwork and having his hands ready to shoot, Bridges has reconstructed and improved his shot that's apparently still warm months later in the bubble practices.
"He's beating us in shooting
Suns forward Dario Saric said.
The Suns will need that hot hand – and more from Bridges in the restart.
"I believe he's going to be a guy that we can rely on night in and night out to play off Ricky and Book and D.A. and not just knock down shots, but have the confidence because he has knocked down shots and get to the paint to make plays whether he's finishing at the rim or finding guys off his dribble penetration,"
drills," Williams said.
Now if Williams decides to start Cameron Payne, Jevon Carter, rookie Ty Jerome or Rubio, if he's available, at point guard, then Bridges could certainly start at small forward, especially if Kelly Oubre Jr. winds up not playing as he's been rehabbing his right knee after having surgery on it in March.
The Suns are hopeful Oubre plays at some point in the restart. Williams says Oubre has "his bounce." He's looked good running up and down the floor in his conditioning, but Oubre likes to have all spiritual, mental and physical channels all working as one to play at a optimum level.
Plus Oubre must consider his future as he'll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season.
If Oubre doesn't play, Bridges is the most natural fit at the three because he can not only score, but he can defend that position better than anyone on the team.
Cam Johnson, a viable option at small forward, will probably see action there, too, but Bridges is a better option.
Williams has talked about playing Saric at the five in the restart. This could mean a number of things like having Deandre Ayton at the four, but Saric at center sounds like the anchor of a smallball lineup with either Bridges or Johnson at the four.
Bridges has started at the four. He's more familiar with it than Johnson, but Johnson has added "10ish to 12ish pounds" as the rookie put it when the season was on hold.
"Cam Johnson got very strong and got buffed out of nowhere," Ayton said. "Put a lot of muscle on during the quarantine."
So Johnson could roll at the four more, which would free up Bridges to defend on the perimeter and get out in transition faster for easier basket opportunities.
Booker is the team's best player. Ayton has maybe been the most impressive of the returnees. Saric is in tremendous shape and Johnson has added necessary muscle.
They're all important as are the remaining players, but Bridges may make the biggest difference because of his versatility, scoring potential and how his skill set fits into how the games may be played.
He's been a glue guy. Bridges may prove to be the guy for the Suns in the restart.