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3 Reasons Tom Thibodeau can’t ignore Miles McBride in 2023-24

By Zachary Bachar

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have unearthed some gems in the NBA Draft in recent years, finding contributors outside of the lottery.

Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley have become key members of New York’s young core after being selected 25th overall in back-to-back years. Jericho Sims has also developed into a solid reserve center, a positive outcome for a player who was the third-to-last pick in his draft class.

Another Knick that has outplayed their draft position is point guard Miles “Deuce” McBride, who was selected early in the second round back in 2021. McBride has established himself as a defensive pest, routinely making an impact in his small amounts of time on the court.

There’s a case to be made for him getting consistent rotation minutes this upcoming season. Here are three reasons why.

3 Reasons Knicks should include Miles McBride more in their rotation

3: Misleading counting stats

McBride’s meager averages of 3.5 points and 1.1 assists per game on 36-30-67 shooting splits don’t represent his on-court impact in the slightest.

Tom Thibodeau has mainly used the 23-year-old in a situational role, meaning he rarely has extended time on the floor to get into a shooting rhythm. Of the 64 times McBride stepped onto the court in 2022-23, he received less than 10 minutes in 28 of those contests.

In other words, he’s typically on the court for less than a quarter’s worth of playing time and often went several games between appearances.

When he’s given a consistent role, his efficiency has trended upward. In games where Deuce was on the court for at least 20 minutes, he averaged 9.7 points while hitting 38% of his triples.

Due to the lack of playing time he received earlier in his career, he’s spent a bit of time with the Westchester Knicks. He torched defenses in the G League, routinely proving that he’s in a tier above the talent level there.

McBride averaged 27.9 points to go along with 10.6 assists per game in Westchester, shooting both 49% from the field and 49% from deep while attempting 8.4 threes each night.

While he obviously wouldn’t become one of the league’s top scorers if he were to get a consistent 20+ minutes next year, there’s still more than enough evidence to show that his offensive output and efficiency would increase with a steadier role.

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