New York Knicks: 3 ways Miles McBride can find playing time
By Adam Kester
New York Knicks: #1 — Miles McBride’s defense
This is going to be Miles McBride’s calling card early in his career. The combination of McBride’s talent on defense and the Knicks not having any real perimeter “defensive stoppers” on their roster could open up an avenue for a defensive specialist role.
Miles McBride is clamps. He has a blend of light footwork and quickness, lower body strength, and a disruptive 6’9 wingspan that wreaks havoc on opposing point guards.
We saw numerous times during the NBA summer league where McBride was picking up the opposing team’s point guard full court, not giving him an inch.
He will put ballhandlers in jail. Think 2010 Darelle Revis man coverage.
Competitive defense is the quickest way to Tom Thibodeau’s heart. It’s not just about Miles McBride’s individual talent.
New York has some players that are competitive perimeter defenders. Immanuel Quickley can make an impact, RJ Barrett has flashed against larger players, Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose are both not “known” for their defense but are willing defenders with experience.
They don’t have someone who has defense built into their player profile strengths. Miles McBride is known for his defense.
Tom Thibodeau’s overloading defense will scheme to slow down star point guards but we’ve seen the lack of defensive maestros in the backcourt hamper the Knicks defense. They don’t have anyone they can simply stick on point guards, and Miles McBride could be that player.