I wouldn’t blame you if watching Michigan State basketball hasn’t been a priority for you over the last few weeks, but during that time Bridges has gotten back to being the explosive guy we came to love last season.
On Wednesday night, coach Tom Izzo benched point guard Cassius Winston to open the second half. If that continues to happen, Bridges could carry more of the playmaking duties for the Spartans, a change that would be tremendous for his development. I truly think Bridges has secondary initiator potential in the NBA, though his 2.8 assists per game do not show that.
On top of the playmaking, Bridges has shot 14-32 from three over his last four games. That part of his game is coming along as well, and somehow it looks like he may be building on a solid freshman season to actually move up in the minds of front offices across the NBA heading into the 2018 draft.
He makes perfect sense as a rebuilding block for the Hornets if they are able to move on from their long-term salary this summer and fully invest in a new roster.