The tenth overall pick isn’t likely to start at the beginning of the season, but Mikal Bridges can be the perfect sixth man for the Phoenix Suns.
Although Mikal Bridges may earn himself a starting job as the season goes along, for now he’ll likely come off the bench behind Josh Jackson and Trevor Ariza.
He’s a consistent and high percentage three point shooter, meaning he can be counted on for regular production. He’s a good defender capable of forcing turnovers, and he runs the floor well. He has the perfect skillset to be a spark plug and give the team an injection of energy every night.
Bridges is also humble enough to accept bench duties, which is more important than it sounds. Often times, players like Bridges who are good enough to start will become upset if they’re asked to be a reserve. But for any team to have success, everyone must accept their role.
Being able to bring James Harden off the bench was crucial to the identity of the 2011-12 Thunder team that made it to the NBA Finals, and before the Warriors had Kevin Durant, they were able to win a championship in a season where head coach Steve Kerr credits Andre Iguodala for accepting a bench role behind Harrison Barnes. Iguodala was the Finals MVP off the bench.
The Suns won’t be competing for a championship this season, and Mikal Bridges is unlikely to be playing at an All-Star level like the other two. But in college, he went from redshirt to backup to top prospect, so he’s clearly patient and undeterred by setbacks. Bridges’ team first mentality will make him especially useful in the minutes he’ll be given.
Bridges is also notoriously hardworking, as told by his college coach Jay Wright. Over his four years at Villanova, he hit the weight room hard and bulked up considerably, going from scrawny and easy to push around to a more solid build and high-level defender. He also improved his three point percentage from 29.9 percent in 2015-16 to 43.5 percent in 2017-18.
His stellar work ethic should rub off on his teammates in practice. It should also push Josh Jackson that much harder, knowing that Bridges is coming for his starting job.
Mikal Bridges has a perfect skillset and attitude for the sixth man job. Although he might not have it for long, he’ll be sensational in that role.