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Michigan State Basketball: Miles Bridges exceeded Summer League expectations

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges reacts after being drafted 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Miles Bridges reacts after being drafted 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Former Michigan State basketball star Miles Bridges didn’t have the approval of all experts, but he showed off in the 2018 NBA Summer League.

Remember when Miles Bridges “hurt his stock” by returning to Michigan State for his sophomore season? Experts and opposing fans were quick to point out regression as an overall player, but failed to note his leadership abilities and clutch play — he wasn’t often fazed by off-court distractions.

Must Read: MSU Football: Ranking 2018 opponents by difficulty

All that talk is starting to look silly.

Bridges was selected in the lottery, No. 12 overall, by the Clippers in June, but traded to the Hornets on draft night. There were plenty of skeptics, Hornets fans included, but his performance in Summer League ball may have silenced some doubters.

In fact, Hoops Habit did a write-up of five takeaways from the Hornets’ Summer League and the No. 1 takeaway was all about Bridges.

"Some people may not be fond of Miles Bridges and I understand that argument. His jumper is iffy at best and in today’s NBA, it’s hard to be elite without a serviceable jump shot. However, Bridges has shown enough on both offense and defense to make me believe that he’ll be a quality player right away — and a superstar soon."

That’s some high praise. Yes, his jumper could use some work, but he proved at MSU that he can shoot that mid-range and long-range shot consistently. Future superstar? That’s exactly what Michigan State fans saw in Bridges from day one.

Bridges did more of what everyone wanted from him at Michigan State — he drove to the basket and flashed his elite athleticism.

The former Spartan nearly ended some guy’s career with a self alley-oop off the backboard shortly after throwing down over a different player.

Not only did he show off his athleticism, but he played well on the defensive end, even recording a chase-down block on former Wolverine Derrick Walton Jr. and he added some nice step-back jumpers to his arsenal.

Bridges finished Summer League ball with a 15-point, 8.2-rebound and 1.8-assist per game average, wowing fans, coaches and peers.

Next: MSU Football: Post-spring 2018 game-by-game predictions

Don’t look now, but Bridges may just exceed expectations right away.

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