Mikal Bridges, AKA the NBA’s iron man, has yet to miss a game in his seven-year pro career. In fact, he became the first player since Josh Smith in nearly a decade to appear in 83 contests in a season in 2022-23. Remarkably, the uncannily impressive durability streak dates back to high school — logging a 100 percent participation rate in college too. Many say “availability is the best ability,” but the two-way swingman lives by that mantra.
- Lior Lampert
FanSided Staff Writer
Hopping from one of New York’s five boroughs to another, Bridges now represents the Knicks, which has allowed him to optimize his 3-and-D skill set. In Brooklyn, he was relied upon as the primary scoring option, a role that resulted in efficiency dips. Moreover, his extensive usage on the offensive end resulted in defensive lapses and regression.
Early on with the Knicks, Bridges’ tenacity guarding opponents along the perimeter/wings alongside fellow stopper OG Anunoby was apparent. He’s fallen into a more fitting, less ball-dominant role on the other side of the court. With New York boasting two top-tier scorers, the spacing maximizes his lethal corner 3-point shooting and mid-range prowess.