Mikal Bridges’ defense is finally back

When the Knicks traded Bojan Bogdanovic and four unprotected first-round picks for Mikal Bridges in June, expectations were set irrationally high for a player who would be coming here to be a complimentary piece in the starting lineup behind Jalen Brunson and, by the time the season started, Karl-Anthony Towns.

The season didn’t start well for Bridges. His odd shooting form was the talk of the preseason and he was absolutely scorched by Jayson Tatum in a Boston massacre during the season opener. His perimeter shooting had seemingly fallen apart and many, including myself, were deeply critical of the performance of Bridges on both ends.

Since then? He’s slowly rounded into form on both sides…