1 underrated Knicks player that should remain on the roster in 2022-23
With the season just around the corner, I know fans are waiting for the New York Knicks to make another move. Some people are not satisfied with the Jalen Brunson signing after missing out on Donovan Mitchell. Bojan Bogdanovic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and now Russell Westbrook (after the Lakers signed Patrick Beverly and Dennis Schroder) are the big names that the basketball world feels the front office could trade for.
Those are some attractive names, but the exchange for one of these players would involve our young nucleus. This includes Cam Reddish, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to give up any of these players as they all have the potential to be studs in this league. Yes, I truly believe that Miles McBride can be a stud on this Knicks roster!
Miles McBride would have been point guard if not for the Jalen Brunson signing
Coach Thibodeau has always been a defense-first guy and McBride takes pride in his defensive abilities. Hopefully, he can show Thibs throughout training camp and preseason what he can bring to the table. In fact, McBride should be the first player to give Brunson a break when needed.
Assuming that Immanuel Quickley will be the sixth man, he’ll come off the bench first to give Evan Fournier a breather, followed by Quentin Grimes checking in for RJ Barrett to get him some rest, and then McBride should join them in the second lineup, where he should ultimately run the show.
Truthfully, if Jalen Brunson didn’t sign with the Knicks, Miles McBride might’ve had a chance at being in the starting lineup. I still believe Alec Burks would have gone to another team and of course, Kemba Walker was not going to stay on the roster. With Derrick Rose entering his 14th season, he’s more of a role player and needs to come off the bench. It actually would be best for him to be a mentor for McBride.
The West Virginia University product has shown he can make a difference for the Knickerbockers. In his rookie season when he played 20 minutes or more, New York went 5-2. McBride shot 37% from the field while averaging three assists and one steal per game. McBride just needs more time on the floor to show his worth.
At West Virginia, after his freshman year, he improved in every category, most notably in minutes. He was the leader of the Mountaineers in his sophomore season as Coach Bob Huggins asked him to develop his shooting, to which his three-point percentage impressively increased. Thibs likes these types of guys.
McBride prides himself on winning and doing whatever the team needs him to do, which is something I think will go a long way with the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year.
There are many things to be excited about when it comes to McBride. He excels on defense because of his six-foot-nine wingspan although he is only six-foot-one. His energy and effort on both sides of the ball are something to make the fans at Madison Square Garden appreciate him. The second-year player is also capable of handling the ball and rarely turns it over.
At times, McBride was called to play in the G League for the Westchester Knicks, where he took advantage of the playing time. In six games, he averaged 28 points to go with 11 assists and five rebounds. He shot 48% from three and 46% from the field.
Deuce continued his strong play in the Summer League, where he helped lead the young Knicks to the title game. In five games, he averaged 17 points and five assists.
He reminds me of the young scrappy point guards from the 90s like Charlie Ward, Chris Childs, and John Starks. I don’t think trading Miles McBride should be an option, as he can certainly be an impactful player!
