Phoenix Suns: Ranking Mikal Bridges Among Starting Small Fowards

Ranking Phoenix Suns SF Mikal Bridges: The Top Tier

Maybe one day, but for now, Bridges belongs far outside the small forward’s top level.  Within this tier sits Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic, who Bridges looks visually and statistically apparent toward.

Durant resembles the NBA’s best player right now, averaging 26.9 points per game last year while shooting a career-high 53.7 percent from the field. He also added 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

Nipping at his heels comes Leonard, James and Doncic. All three averaged over 11.0  more points per game than Bridges last year. They all worked as offensive focal points for their team as well, while Bridges remains Phoenix’s fourth offensive option.

But as a lone silver lining, Bridges stacks up well at the defensive end with these four giants. Every time the Suns face off against each one, Monty Williams trusts Bridges to guard them, and he usually does better than most.

Last year, both James and Leonard collectively averaged decreased scoring numbers against the Suns compared to their marks for the entire season. With that considered, Bridges already looks well on his way to becoming a top tier defender, but just needs way more offensive production to move up entirely.