This is the second article of a new series that I have started in which I will evaluate and give a letter grade to various Charlotte Hornets players for their performance throughout the 2021-2022 season.
After taking a look at LaMelo Ball’s tremendous play this past season, it’s time to turn our attention to the player that some would argue is the leader of this young Hornets team: Miles Bridges.
Not only did he lead the team in scoring with 20.2 points per game, but he also averaged a very nice 7.0 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game.
Bridges provides the Charlotte offense with elite finishing and slashing abilities. His extreme athleticism is one reason why he has been on the receiving end of so many alley-oop passes in his young career.
He is also highly skilled at getting to the rim in transition, moving off the ball in a half court set, or even getting past his defender in a 1v1 situation.
The 2021-2022 season showed us that not only is he an elite finisher, but he has greatly improved his jump shot. This season he shot 33.1% from three on 5.8 attempts per game. This type of volume shooting from a high-flying forward is exactly what placed Bridges in the center of the Most Improved Player discussion.
One area he must work on is his mid-range jumpshot. His three-point shot and finishing have elevated him to become a 20+ PPG scorer, but an improved mid-range shot could be just what he needs to reach the next level of scoring.
He has taken great strides in the field of playmaking and vision. He only averaged 3.8 assists per game, but most of his assists notably came from him creating a play instead of just being a give-and-go swing passer.
His performance this season showcased that he has significantly improved in just about every aspect of his game. He grabbed rebounds at a high rate, improved his playmaking and IQ, shot more efficiently with higher volume, and seemed to become a solid defender both at the rim and at the perimeter.
Overall Player Grade For The 2021-2022 Season: A+
Bridges earns the highest possible letter grade for his play this season due to the huge strides he took in every part of his game. As the clear leader of the team, he stepped up this season and proved himself to be one of the most exciting young players in the NBA.