The Phoenix Suns are good again. More than that: They have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2010 and are tied with the Utah Jazz for first place in the Western Conference. A lot of credit has gone to Chris Paul and Devin Booker publicly, but Mikal Bridges is a defensive superstar with a rapidly developing offensive arsenal, and is a huge reason the Suns are in first.
Complete team
First off, let’s give credit to the entire Suns team and Monty Williams. Devin Booker has been a bucket for years, Chris Paul elevates any team he’s on, Mikal Bridges has been a perfect 3-and-D slasher, Jae Crowder is the tough veteran role player any good team needs, and DeAndre Ayton has been able to play a full season, making huge strides on both ends.
Then there’s the bench with a much-improved Cam Payne and a deadly Dario Saric at 5. For a big part of the season, the Suns bench was actually doing more damage to teams than the starting unit. They weren’t able to fill the need of a big defensive center, but Saric has at least been able to stretch the floor and knock down shots, which helps the second unit tremendously.
The Suns rank both 6th in offense and defense and have the second best net rating differential in the league. That doesn’t come without a developing Bridges and Ayton or the leadership of CP3, even less without great depth or Devin Booker.
Defensive Superstar
Say it with your chest. Mikal Bridges is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Bridges stands 6’7’’ with a 7’1’’ wingspan and has elite athleticism. He stays in front of defenders very well, fights through screens and can be disruptive both on the ball and off the ball with his long arms. Last night was another prime example, as Bridges was everywhere defensively in overtime against the Cavaliers, as he took on the challenge of guarding Collin Sexton, and basically everyone on the Cavs team.
He had 2 blocks and a steal in that overtime, and was the main reason Ayton was able to block another. He finished with 3 blocks and 3 steals in total. Offensively, he answered the call too. He scored 8 points in overtime and finished with 22 points on 9/15 shooting and 4/6 from deep. Mikal is averaging 13 points on 53.3/41.2/81.9 shooting splits and adds a steal and a block a game.
His big outburst isn’t his first one of the season, as he has shown multiple times how good he is on defense and how efficient he can be on offense. Bridges finishes at an 80% clip around the rim, good for 10th in the league and a very healthy 51% from 3-10 Ft, which ranks him 30th, and the same goes for his percentage from deep. His True Shooting % is 12th in the league. You can’t ask for a much better role player.
But he’s more than a role player. Bridges has the tools and the talent to become a star. His athleticism and reach allow him to be a great finisher around the rim and great defender, while his work with Phil Beckner, Damian Lillard’s personal trainer, has obviously paid off, as Bridges has improved from the 33.5% 3-pt shooter he was in his rookie season. He has even been more comfortable handling the ball this year.
Notable stat: Through 3 years in the NBA, Bridges has yet to miss a game. He has been available in every game and played in every game, even though he only got 11 seconds of playing time in his rookie debut. Even this condensed season, with more players getting injured, resting or having to sit out due to Covid-protocols, hasn’t been able to keep him out of a game. You know how the saying goes: “Availability is the best ability”.
The perfect role player, but on his way to becoming a superstar. It’s time people start to recognize Mikal Bridges, and they will certainly be put on notice during the playoffs.
Courtside 