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Michigan State Basketball: Did Miles Bridges make the right decision?

By Connor Muldowney

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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After spending two years in East Lansing with Michigan State basketball, Miles Bridges has declared for the NBA draft. Did he make the right choice?

Let’s cut to the chase and just say yes, Miles Bridges did make the right choice by leaving for the NBA. After another solid season at Michigan State, the sophomore wing has declared for the draft, surprising virtually no one with his choice.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: An open letter to Miles Bridges

Many will still be questioning whether it was the right decision, but I’m here to put that debate to rest — or at least attempt to.

Bridges was ready, no matter what you read or are led to believe. Putting your green and white fandom aside, look at his overall body of work objectively and tell me what you’d advise the kid to do. He is coming off a season where he averaged 17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting over 45 percent from the floor. He was an All-American and All-Big Ten player.

Although his field goal percentage and 3-point shooting rate both dipped slightly, he improved his free throw shooting by nearly 20 percent — that’s incredible.

However, no one gets drafted for their ability to hit free throws. Scouts know he can shoot from distance even though his percentage was just 36 this year as opposed to 39 last season. What NBA teams would have wanted to see more was his ability to drive and create his own shots off the dribble.

Did he do that as a sophomore? There were flashes, but not quite enough of it on a consistent basis. Tom Izzo wanted Bridges to be more selfish, but that just wasn’t in his nature.

In the NBA, he’ll learn quickly that he must be more aggressive. He’s not afraid of challenges, though.

Bridges already has an NBA-ready body, has the ability to score from just about anywhere (just needs to work on creating, as I said) and is mentally mature enough to make the transition.

Related Story: MSU Basketball: Final player grades for 2017-18 season

The sophomore was a lottery projection last year and hasn’t done anything to hurt his stock this time around. He’s already sacrificed enough for Michigan State, it’s time he looks out for himself and his family as he’s been ready for the league since day one.

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