Miles Bridges Is Bigger Than Expected, But…
The New York Knicks have well-documented interest in Michigan State Spartans wing Miles Bridges. It’s hardly surprising, as Bridges fits the bill of an explosive athlete who can shoot and defend multiple positions.
The knock against Bridges has been that he lacks ideal size for the small forward position, but he measured bigger than expected at the Combine—albeit while not quite long enough.
Bridges checked in at just under 6’7″ with a 220.4-pound frame and a 6’9.5″ wingspan. Those would be prototypical marks for a shooting guard, especially when one considers Bridges’ explosive in-game leaping ability.
Unfortunately, standing at 6’6.75″ with a 6’9.5″ wingspan, Bridges is undersized for a small forward—and his 8’7.5″ standing reach isn’t much better.
One could argue that the Knicks can take this chance due to his strength and athleticism, but context is crucial. Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay are gigantic point guards, but Tim Hardaway Jr. is a shooting guard who can no longer masquerade as a 3.
Bridges should still be on the radar, but he doesn’t quite fit the Knicks’ goal of acquiring size or length along the perimeter of the defense.