This Hornets Power Forward Is Taking It to the Next Level

The Charlotte Hornets are 16-49 on the season, but one of the bright spots lately has been the play of Miles Bridges. The fifth-year power forward is averaging 33 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in his last five games. Bridges is the fourth player this season to go on this type of stretch joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama as the players to accomplish this feat this season. Bridges has scored 30 or more points three times during this run; however, the Hornets have gone 1-2 in those games including a recent loss to their Southeastern rival.

Bridges has been a valuable veteran during this tough season for Charlotte. His in-season totals are 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, which means he is averaging more points, rebounds, and assists during this run than he has the whole season. He is flourishing right now and has credited the work he has put in improving his playmaking to be a force on both sides of the court. When the Hornets first hired Charles Lee to be their head coach one of the first things he said he was going to do was bring a new defensive identity to Charlotte. Bridges has been an example of that so far this season. Bridges is averaging four blocks and two steals during this run and just tied a career-high of four blocks in a loss to Atlanta. For the work that he has put in, the former Michigan State Spartan is becoming an all-around player in this league that is versatile on both ends of the court.

Early in his career, Bridges was a pick-and-roll type of player that set screens and was more known for his thunderous dunks that went viral on social media. This season he has turned a corner in becoming more of his own shot creator on offense and using his versatility to guard any position on the court. Hopefully, this is the start of Bridges becoming a consistent player in this league and a player that can be a part of the Hornets turn around in the years to come. The fifth-year veteran is a catalyst for a team that features a young core consisting of LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams. The Hornets may not be where they want to be right now, but Bridges recent play should give fans hope and belief that if Charlotte does turn it around in the next few seasons then Bridges would be a part of it.