Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal shared his honest take regarding New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges and his new shooting form. For the 2024-25 season, Bridges altered how he shoots the basketball, which affected his performance early in the year.
During the first two months of the campaign, the defensive forward shot 30.6% from beyond the arc because of his new form. The modification even had an impact on his efficiency from the free throw line, as he made 61.5% of his attempts. However, things have changed over the past two months as he’s performed better as a shooter.
The forward is now shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc and 75.7% from the charity stripe. He’s also increased his scoring because of it, from 15.5 in October until November to 20.0 points since December.
Analyzing his form, O’Neal spoke about his experience playing with shooters during his career. The four-time champion also spoke honestly how he doesn’t like the way Bridges shoots the ball with his new shooting form.
“I’ve played with some of the best shooters in the world,” O’Neal said. “What I know, one thing is, you need a lot of repetition. So, he’s old shot, he has more repetition with his old form than his new form. I don’t like his new form, I don’t like the way it looks.
“His old form was really good. I wish him well. I don’t like the glitch, the behind the head. I think when it comes to the moment of truth situation, and you had to think about it, 75% of the time his shot will be off.
"I don't like his new form" 😳
Shaq & Vince discuss Mikal Bridges' new shot mechanics 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NCazCuJ8KS
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 22, 2025
“If you looked at a guy like Steph Curry, he’s getting it and he’s going with what he’s been doing his whole life when he lets it go. Most of the time, it goes in.”
Mikal Bridges welcomed back by the Nets
On Tuesday, Mikal Bridges visited Barclay’s Center for the first time this season. The 6-foot-6 guard played for the Brooklyn Nets the previous season. However, the organization dealt him to the Knicks over the summer, bringing him back together with his old Villanova teammates Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson.
He spent two seasons in Brooklyn and received a warm welcome from the fans. The team had a “Welcome Back” graphic for their former player, which was shown on the jumbotron.
The Nets welcome Mikal Bridges back to Barclays Center tonight by putting a "Welcome back" graphic on the jumbotron during the Knicks' pregame intros 🙌
(via @erikslater_) pic.twitter.com/6af6lS0kFq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 22, 2025
Although his time with the team was short, they can’t forget how great he was for them. With the Nets, Bridges averaged 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
