Knicks · Miles Bridges drops out of the draft... (page 1)

I know some guys liked him...

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketb...

Miles Bridges is returning to Michigan State for his sophomore season.

The 6-foot-7 forward, considered by many a lottery pick if he formally entered this year's NBA draft, announced Thursday that he will be back with the Spartans in 2017-18, putting them immediately in the picture for national title contenders.

Bridges got a roar from a huge crowd gathered at the school's Sparty statue on Thursday night when he made the announcement.

"I got some unfinished business here,'' he said.

Bridges, from Flint, led Michigan State with 16.9 points per game this past season, the highest average for a freshman at the school since Magic Johnson scored 17 per game during the 1977-78 season. Bridges also averaged 8.3 rebounds, the most by a Michigan State freshman since Greg Kelser in 1975-76.

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Chad Ford had Bridges slated to go No. 12 overall if he left school.

But he'll be back for his sophomore season, giving coach Tom Izzo a team capable of contending for the Hall of Fame coach's second national championship and eighth Final Four appearance.

"He never acted like he wanted to leave,'' Izzo said Thursday night.

Bridges was part of a highly touted recruiting class that lived up to the hype. He was one of the nation's

best freshmen.

shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

I always thought he'd end up on the Heat and be great, so I am relieved!

callmened wrote:shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

Did he stay on to finish business in college, or because this is a stronger draft, and he'll go higher next year?

The former makes me respect him a great deal... the latter...not so much.

WaltLongmire wrote:

callmened wrote:shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

Did he stay on to finish business in college, or because this is a stronger draft, and he'll go higher next year?

The former makes me respect him a great deal... the latter...not so much.

I think a number of factors played a role in his decision. He was locked in as a low lottery pick this year and there's a chance he moves up next year. Plus, Izzo is a good coach and I'm sure they had open discussions about player developing for the next level. It also sounds like Miles wasn't sure he was ready mentally for the pros. These guys are still kids.

Who says net year would be worse?

BigDaddyG wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

callmened wrote:shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

Did he stay on to finish business in college, or because this is a stronger draft, and he'll go higher next year?

The former makes me respect him a great deal... the latter...not so much.

I think a number of factors played a role in his decision. He was locked in as a low lottery pick this year and there's a chance he moves up next year. Plus, Izzo is a good coach and I'm sure they had open discussions about player developing for the next level. It also sounds like Miles wasn't sure he was ready mentally for the pros. These guys are still kids.

BINGO!

BigDaddyG wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

callmened wrote:shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

Did he stay on to finish business in college, or because this is a stronger draft, and he'll go higher next year?

The former makes me respect him a great deal... the latter...not so much.

I think a number of factors played a role in his decision. He was locked in as a low lottery pick this year and there's a chance he moves up next year. Plus, Izzo is a good coach and I'm sure they had open discussions about player developing for the next level. It also sounds like Miles wasn't sure he was ready mentally for the pros. These guys are still kids.

Hope it works out for him...winning a college title and getting picked at a better slot next year after dropping out of the draft this year would make a great story...

WaltLongmire wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

callmened wrote:shocker. dude wouldve been a lottery pick. excellent player. he might go higher next yr in a weaker draft

Did he stay on to finish business in college, or because this is a stronger draft, and he'll go higher next year?

The former makes me respect him a great deal... the latter...not so much.

I think a number of factors played a role in his decision. He was locked in as a low lottery pick this year and there's a chance he moves up next year. Plus, Izzo is a good coach and I'm sure they had open discussions about player developing for the next level. It also sounds like Miles wasn't sure he was ready mentally for the pros. These guys are still kids.

Hope it works out for him...winning a college title and getting picked at a better slot next year after dropping out of the draft this year would make a great story...

Or blowing out a knee or Achilles would be the flip side...just sayin

Just bringing this thread back. The way things stand now, odds are very good Miles will be the best player available when the Knicks pick. With a second season of seasoning at the college level,should slot right into a starting role and fit right in to the Knicks style of play. Athletic, capable defender who can knock down the midrange off of screens. Looks like an NBA ready body. Keeping my eye on this kid for the rest of the season

MSU's Miles Bridges would be 'extremely excited' to be drafted by Knicks
By Adam Zagoria | Oct 20, 2017 | 5:21PM
https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/msus-mile...

NEW YORK -- Just a few hours before the Knicks tipped of the 2017-18 NBA season with a 19-point loss to Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Michigan State sophomore forward Miles Bridges spent time at Madison Square Garden for Big Ten Media Day.

Bridges is an explosive 6-foot-6 forward who opted to return to Michigan State for his sophomore season instead of being a likely lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft. He's now projected as the No. 6 pick in 2018 via ESPN.com.

So with Bridges in the Garden for Media Day and the Big Ten Tournament beginning Feb. 28, how would he feel about potentially being drafted by the Knicks?

"It's going to be great," Bridges told me on The 4 Quarters Podcast. "If the Knicks draft me, I'll be extremely happy. It's a great organization. I know it's been going through a lot in the past few years but every team goes through that and at some point it's going to be a turnaround point. So if I were part of that turnaround point, then I would be happy."

The Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, Bridges is focusing primarily on trying to win a national championship as a sophomore with his teammates. But he can't help but look at some of his classmates like Phoenix's Josh Jackson and Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox in the NBA. Bridges said he would prefer to go to an NBA team that is rebuilding, as opposed to a super-team like Golden State, Houston, Oklahoma City or Cleveland.

Bridges averaged 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds last season.

"Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft and plays a coveted position as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor," ESPN's Jonathan Givony wrote. "He converted 39 percent of his 3-pointers as a freshman and is making strides with his ball-handling and playmaking abilities as well. After passing up the chance to be a lottery pick in last year's draft, Bridges will be expected to show significant improvement while leading Michigan State on a deep NCAA tournament run."

Bridges is the first of a parade of projected lottery picks who will play at the Garden during the 2017-18 college basketball season, and you can bet more of them will be asked similar questions.

Duke features 6-11 freshman forward Marvin Bagley III, a potential No. 1 overall pick, 6-10 freshman forward Wendell Carter Jr. and 6-3 freshman point guard Trevon Duval -- all projected lottery picks. The Blue Devils will be in the Garden Feb. 3 to play St. John's.

Kentucky, which features freshmen wing Hamidou Diallo, freshman forward Kevin Knox and freshman big man Nick Richards, comes to the Garden Dec. 9 to face Monmouth.

Syracuse, UConn, Gonzaga and Villanova all play at the Garden in December, and the Mecca hosts the Big Ten and Big East Tournaments during March Madness.

So expect more and more college players to be asked about the Knicks with the way they are projected to finish.

"The Knicks will not make the playoffs," Shaquille O'Neal said Thursday on TNT. "This is a rebuilding process for the Knicks. They'll probably go 31-51 again this year."

One Garden source said the hope around the Knicks was to "show progress and improvement."

"I don't want to be in the middle of the pack," the source said. "I want to win 20 games and get the No. 1 pick."

Two years ago, of course, the Knicks were in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick, and ended up choosing at No. 4 to get Kristaps Porzingis. This year, they again went the European route to take French point guard Frank Ntilikina at No. 8 -- just ahead of N.C. State freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr. to Dallas.

Now, assuming the rebuilding Knicks again land in the lottery, they could be in the mix for a player like Bridges.

"Miles is I think somebody special for all college basketball, because he's -- I call him my blue-collar star," Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said. "And he's got the humility and the humbleness of an everyday player and the skills of a very, very good player."

Smiling from ear to ear, Izzo called it a "Christmas present" when he found out Bridges was returning for his sophomore season.

"I got a Christmas present in April when Miles, shockingly to me, decided to come back," he said.

Bridges -- or some other current college star -- could turn out to be the Knicks' Christmas present next June.

I was all about him before reading this. Now I would be even more thrilled if we wind up with him.

Bridges played so well yesterday against Purdue. He has all the tools, and could end up really being a steal in this year's draft if he falls into that 12-15 range like a lot of mocks have him at.

Bretrobert1 wrote:Bridges played so well yesterday against Purdue. He has all the tools, and could end up really being a steal in this year's draft if he falls into that 12-15 range like a lot of mocks have him at.

Here's a mock updated 2 days ago with the teams current position in the standings

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27580...

1. Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic (Slovenia, PG/SG, 1999)
2. Atlanta Hawks: Deandre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)
3. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)
4. Orlando Magic: Trae Young (Oklahoma, PG, Freshman)
5. Phoenix Suns: Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C, Freshman)
6. Memphis Grizzlies: Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, SF/PF, Freshman)
7. Cleveland Cavaliers : Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State, PF/C, Freshman)
8. Chicago Bulls: Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)
9. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers): Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, C, Freshman)
10. New York Knicks: Miles Bridges (Michigan State, F, Sophomore)

"This draft has become even more important for the New York Knicks after they lost Kristaps Porzingis to an ACL tear. Now in tank mode and expected to prioritize young players' development over winning, the Knicks could use an additional building block.

It wouldn't hurt to add one who's athletic, which means Miles Bridges should already be on New York's watch list. One of the draft's most explosive leapers, he also makes 2.1 three-pointers per game and shows the potential to guard multiple positions.

With spot-ups, transition and off-screen action accounting for 57.6 percent of his offense, Bridges hasn't been able to show anything new as a shot-creator, which scouts wanted him to improve upon after last year. But the Knicks are likely to value his athleticism, shooting and motor while ultimately hoping his off-the-dribble skills get better over time."

There were 3 or 4 different times yesterday that I thought, man he's (Bridges) making NBA plays right now. Purdue is one of the better defensive teams in the nation (fundamentally) and they had one of the nation's best perimeter defenders in Dakota Mathias on him much of the game, and Bridges just kept making plays.

His stat line wasn't anything too crazy, I'm guessing around 20-24 points and a handful of rebounds and assists, but it was one of the more impressive showings I've seen against Purdue in the last few years.

I'm all about miles bridges. He is a great option. He's an NBA ready forward on both sides of the floor.

Knixkik wrote:I'm all about miles bridges. He is a great option. He's an NBA ready forward on both sides of the floor.

I agree but my issue is that he is likely to do best as a 4 in NBA tho.

TPercy wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I'm all about miles bridges. He is a great option. He's an NBA ready forward on both sides of the floor.

I agree but my issue is that he is likely to do best as a 4 in NBA tho.

I think he can do both. He can play the 4 next to KP at the 5. Or they can play the 3 and 4. I don't see an issue there.

Knixkik wrote:

TPercy wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I'm all about miles bridges. He is a great option. He's an NBA ready forward on both sides of the floor.

I agree but my issue is that he is likely to do best as a 4 in NBA tho.

I think he can do both. He can play the 4 next to KP at the 5. Or they can play the 3 and 4. I don't see an issue there.

Handle would need to get better cuz he struggles to create separation against 3s that match him in speed.

I know creating separation off the dribble has been a knock on him-but that's something I can live with. He can guard multiple positions well-which is a big plus in my book. I was really impressed with his ability to get to the basket and finish yesterday. He's got a really nice floater that he can knock down with both hands.

TPercy wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

TPercy wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I'm all about miles bridges. He is a great option. He's an NBA ready forward on both sides of the floor.

I agree but my issue is that he is likely to do best as a 4 in NBA tho.

I think he can do both. He can play the 4 next to KP at the 5. Or they can play the 3 and 4. I don't see an issue there.

Handle would need to get better cuz he struggles to create separation against 3s that match him in speed.

He can improve. There's a lot to like though.