“ He is super regular. I'm not sure we can expect him to do much more than he already does. His energy level and competitive spirit are extraordinary. » Don't count on Steve Clifford to speak ill of Miles Bridges.
This night again, at the heart of the Hornets' rout against the Rockets, the interior was the only one to exceed 20 points. His fifth match in a row of this type. With an average of 21 points, the 25-year-old is the second best scorer in his team behind LaMelo Ball. And no longer the third, since the departure of Terry Rozier for Miami.
The two men were very close. A ” brother » for Miles Bridges, both saddened by this departure and enthusiastic for the rest of the leader’s career: “ He plays on a stage where he is the best. I want him to win with us, but I'm happy to see him on another team. He looks happy and that's all that matters. »
In his fifth season with the Hornets, he himself is aware that he could have to leave his long-time team. Mitch Kupchak recently announced that other transfers could follow. All members of the roster would be likely to move except LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The Suns have already placed themselves on his profile.
Focus on the game and be a leader
What is said behind the scenes? “ It doesn't really bother me. I don't pay attention to what people say. I've been criticized for a year and a half now, so transfer rumors are the least of my worries. I just go out on the pitch and try to give my best in every game, that's all I care about », sweeps away the one who had to serve a 30-match suspension following his conviction for domestic violence.
In this legal context, he was sidelined throughout last season before receiving a second chance from the Hornets.
“ Like I said before, the Hornets supported me and I want to stay here. I want to be here and that will never change. So even though people hear a lot of things, know that I want to stay with the Hornets “, maintains the interior who calls for him and his teammates to do ” abstraction of external noise “.
“ It's not really difficult for me. I don't really listen to noise or anything. It may be difficult for some, but we have to focus on ourselves », he demands while his team is in distress (3 victories in 23 matches…).
While waiting for possible new moves, Miles Bridges considers that it is up to him and LaMelo Ball to move up a notch in terms of leadership, due to the departure of Terry Rozier: “ Melo tries to speak more. He's clearly the best player on the team, that goes hand in hand with being a leader. As long as he learns to do it, he'll be fine. We must continue to move forward. Without Terry, Melo, Brandon and I have to step up and be leaders. »
Miles Bridges | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2018-19 | CHA | 80 | 21 | 46.4 | 32.5 | 75.3 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 7.5 |
2019-20 | CHA | 65 | 31 | 42.4 | 33.0 | 80.9 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 13.0 |
2020-21 | CHA | 66 | 29 | 50.3 | 40.0 | 86.7 | 1.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 12.7 |
2021-22 | CHA | 80 | 36 | 49.1 | 33.1 | 80.2 | 1.1 | 5.9 | 7.0 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 20.2 |
2023-24 | CHA | 31 | 37 | 45.5 | 35.5 | 86.6 | 0.8 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 20.8 |
Total | 322 | 30 | 47.0 | 34.7 | 81.6 | 1.1 | 4.7 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 14.1 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.