miles mcbride

Knicks lose 6th players to Covid measures, this time it’s Miles McBride

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miles mcbride, knicks

New York Knicks rookie point guard Miles McBride woke up with the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday morning, but it took just a few hours before he entered Covid health protocols as well with five other teammates.

McBride has been on a tear in the last two games, providing stellar offensive production and adequate defensive efficiency. In his first legitimate assignment against the Golden State Warriors, McBride posted eight points, hitting 2 of 4 shots from deep and recording four rebounds.

Against the Houston Rockets, McBride posted 15 points and nine assists, displaying not only productive offensive playmaking but also facilitation for his teammates. He helped snap a four-game losing streak that had been haunting New York.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau was excited to continue utilizing McBride in a more prominent role, but after testing positive/coming in contact with someone who did with Covid, he will be placed on the 10-day list retro-active on December 28 at the very minimum.

McBride will join Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, who were also placed on Covid reserve due to health protocols. With a thin team gearing up to take on the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, they are at a massive disadvantage. Boston has lost four of their last five games but given their depth compared to New York, things are getting a bit murky for the Knicks’ outlook.

The loss of McBride is a big one, especially after posting back-to-back stellar performances on both sides of the ball. The Knicks needed a leader at point guard with some energy, and his loss will be felt with the only other capable point guard being Alec Burks on the roster. Veteran PG Derrick Rose is day-to-day with a sore right ankle, so there’s no guarantee he will be available for the game either, leaving the team extremely shorthanded.

Knicks’ Miles McBride is being gifted the opportunity of a lifetime

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knicks, miles mcbride

Energy, effort, intensity. Those are three factors that rookie point guard Miles McBride brought to the New York Knicks on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. After spending the majority of the season working with the G-League team in Westchester, McBride was suddenly elevated to a prominent role with Covid ravaging the Knicks’ lineup.

Losing RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, and Obi Toppin this past week, McBride found himself suddenly playing 20+ minutes in back-to-back games, showcasing fantastic scoring capabilities and defensive energy.

One thing the Knicks have lacked severely this season is effort, as the starting team has echoed one another with an emphasis on being out-hustled and outpaced.

However, Tom Thibodeau found his team running the floor effectively and with unmatched energy after the installation of McBride and the presence of Immanuel Quickley. Quickley has since been placed on the Covid list for the next 10 days at least, despite his best efforts to evade the virus.

McBride has been ready to take on a bigger role this entire season, averaging over 25 points with Westchester. He simply wants to have an impact, and he did just that with 15 points and nine assists against Houston.

“Every time I step on the court I just want to impact winning,’’ McBride said before Thursday’s win over Houston. “That means on the defensive end I’m always going to bring it. Offensively I’m just going to read what the game gives me.”

Watching McBride play, you can see his poise and comfort on the floor. He doesn’t overthink, and he rarely makes mistakes, providing efficiency beyond what the Knicks have experienced this season at the point guard position.

“He played a great game,’’ Knicks veteran Taj Gibson said. “He was real patient, he does everything he needs to do early in the mornings, the early group, he’s a student of the game.’’

With Kemba Walker still riding the bench after being exiled from the team due to defensive deficiencies, McBride seems to be in line for a massive increase in playing time. If he continues to dominate, Thibodeau will have no choice but to continue relying on him as a primary player.

“You look at his development and he’s a strong two-way player,’’ Thibodeau said. “He plays with great energy on both sides of the ball. He plays multiple positions. He’s unselfish. He sprays it out. If you sag off him, he’s going to shoot. He can make it and can finish. And he’s a great worker.’’

Knicks’ Thibodeau may have stumbled upon electrifying guard duo

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immanuel quickley, knicks, miles mcbride

The New York Knicks snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, courtesy of young guards Miles McBride and Immanuel Quickley.

Scoring 116 points has been a difficult reality for the Knicks over the past month, but seven 3-PT shots from Quickley led the team to victory. However, his partner in crime, McBride, recorded 15 points in a career-high 36 minutes of action.

Against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, McBride seized his first significant assignment by the basketballs, playing 20 minutes and garnering eight points and one assist. However, he unleashed his facilitation capabilities against Houston, recording nine assists as the team’s primary point guard off the bench.

With veteran PG Derrick Rose leaving the game with a sore right ankle, McBride picked up his playing time and ran with it effectively. Not only was he a phenomenal offensive threat in this game, but he played lockdown defense, posting a +19 +/-.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau might have stumbled across an electrifying duo of guards in this contest with Quickley and McBride. They played well off one another and created opportunities for the players around them, something the Knicks struggled to do in recent days without a true and tried starting facilitator.

After the victory over Houston, Quickley dropped a few words of leadership, not only indicating he’s growing on the court but as a leader behind the scenes.

“We needed it big. Through the tough times, I feel like we’ve stuck together pretty well”

Thibodeau went on to provide a mode of confidence with his young players, stating he sees it every day in practice and that once the opportunity came to fruition, they would be ready to take advantage.

“They’re killer workers, I see it every day in practice. I always feel that when they get their opportunity, they’re gonna be ready to roll.”

It was quite easy to see that McBride was ready to make the jump to the big leagues after dominating in the G-League. McBride averaged 26.8 points per game with Westchester, shooting 40.5% from three-point range and 48.2% from the field. The West Virginia stand-out has proven he can dominate from range but also contribute inside driving to the rim.

Pairing all of these positive attributes with vision and facilitation makes him a viable prospect to be the Knicks’ long-term starter at point guard down the line (or at the very least a great depth piece).

The question is, when McBride hits a wall and has a poor game, can he bounce back and shake off the negativity without skipping a beat? That is what separates good from great, and so far, he’s justifying more minutes alongside Quickley, with the pair combining for 39 points and 13 assists on Thursday.

McBride, Quickley power Knicks past Rockets with 39 combined points

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immanuel quickley, knicks

Despite the loss of RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and Kevin Knox due to COVID-19 health protocols, the New York Knicks still powered past the Houston Rockets on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Despite a thin bench, the Knicks’ second-team stepped up big in the win, with a pair of young guards showcasing fantastic defense and even better offensive production. Rookie Miles McBride played 36 minutes compared to 12 from Derrick Rose, posting 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and shot 6 of 11 from the field.

It is clear that McBride is becoming a bright young player for New York and is well-deserving of more minutes after a stellar first performance against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. McBride has now strung together two productive outings, meaning head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely keep him in the rotation even when their injured players make a return from the Covid list.

However, McBride wasn’t alone in his quest for success, as second-year guard Immanuel Quickley matched his efficiency and then some. Quickley posted 24 points, four assists, and shot 70% from three-point range, hitting 7 of 10 shots. The duo combined for 13 assists and 39 points, leading the way for New York, who had two starters post zero points.

Aside from the young guards, Julius Randle added 21, and Evan Fournier contributed 23; however, both posted a negative +/-.

The Knicks needed their youngsters to step up and play well, and the emergence of McBride is yet another sign of optimism for a team that continues to rely on their youth to pick up the slack. Luckily, they were up against a weak Houston squad who had dropped three of their last four games heading into Thursday night.

As a team, the Knicks hit 47.2% from deep and 47% on the field, contributing 40 rebounds and 25 assists. They held the Rockets to 34.4%, shooting from three-point range, 24 rebounds, and 29 assists. They out-rebounded Houston by 11, including 10 added offensive rebounds.

This was the high-energy performance Thibodeau needed from his team to get back in the win column, and they can look ahead to the Boston Celtics on Saturday night with a hopeful return of some of their impact players.

Knicks may have something special in rookie point guard

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miles mcbride, knicks

The New York Knicks may be on a four-game losing streak, but they have plenty of things to be optimistic about. Whether it be the 27-point performance from Quentin Grimes against the Toronto Raptors or Miles McBride bleeding confidence on the floor against Golden State, the Knicks have a few spark plugs.

Grimes was projected to take a more prominent role before being ruled out due to Covid health and safety protocols. The Houston product showcased aggressive defense with superb shooting from range, setting a Knicks rookie record with seven three-point shots made.

However, in McBride‘s first legitimate action of the season, he proved he could stand on his own 2 feet without much support. An electrifying step-back jumper from three-point range in the first half stood out as his highlight of the evening, contributing eight points and four rebounds. He hit 50% of his shots from deep and connected on 37.5% from the field.

McBride has been working diligently off the court to prepare for this moment, dominating in G-League performances to prove his value.

“We see it in practice, when he’s had opportunities in the G-League, he’s played really well there as well,’’ Thibodeau stated after the loss to Golden State. “He played well in the summer league. It’s good for him to have an opportunity like that. All the things that he’s working on every day and then to get into a game situation and to see it unfold, it’s good, it’s positive. Our young guys are really hard playing and they’re coming along.’’

Even veteran point guard Derrick Rose spoke to the confidence of McBride and how great he looked against Golden State, stating, “hopefully Thibs gives him the time.”

During G-League play, McBride is averaging 26.8 points per game on 40.5% shooting from three and 48.2% from the field. His 57.1% effective field goal percentage is fantastic, and he’s  73.2% of his attempts unassisted, indicating play-making ability.

The West Virginia standout primarily focuses on shots from less than 5 feet (22 of 85 attempts) in accordance to the rim and between the 25–29 foot range (28 of 85 attempts). While he doesn’t have much of a pull-up jumper game or mid-range, he’s highly efficient from beyond the arc and close to the basket.

Against legitimate NBA talent, those numbers will undoubtedly level out, but seeing his sustainable success in the G-League is motivating for his future. In addition to his scoring proficiency, McBride is also a stellar defender with a sleight of hand attribute. He is incredibly quick to intercept passes, notably having the biggest hands of any guard in the most recent draft class.

Given the team continues to deal with Covid related absences, McBride is deserving of another opportunity to showcase his skill set. Against a struggling Houston Rockets team, Thibodeau should provide him with added minutes.

Curry reminds Knicks of what they missed but McBride offers hope

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Knicks Curry McBride

The special night belonged to Stephen Curry.

He broke Ray Allen’s record for the most three-pointers in NBA history, and his Golden State Warriors came away with a 105-96 win over the New York Knicks Tuesday night at the Garden.

But the Knicks could take solace on squeezing another solid performance from one of their recent draft picks.

Miles McBride, the 36th pick of the draft, seized the opportunity to show he belongs and deserves to share the court with Curry. With the Knicks missing three players (RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes) due to health and safety protocols, McBride was Tom Thibodeau’s ninth man in the rotation.

After checking in for Evan Fournier in the final six seconds of the opening quarter, McBride quickly made his presence felt. He opened the second quarter with his first stepback three-pointer.

With some razzle-dazzle dribbling, the 6-foot-1 McBride shook off Damian Lee, then used Mitchell Robinson’s screen to lose his bigger defender. After creating the space, he stepped back to the right corner and avoided Nemanja Bjelica’s closeout.

Six minutes later, he did it again against the Warriors’ defensive stalwart Juan Toscano-Anderson from the right elbow.

Mcbride’s two beautiful stepback three-pointers helped the Knicks build a 46-38 lead before the Warriors stormed back and cut the deficit at the half to a solitary point, 48-47.

Buoyed by his stellar first half, McBride got a longer leash in the final two quarters. The rookie out of West Virginia ended up playing a season-high 20 minutes. He responded with eight points on 3 of 8 shooting and went 2 for 4 from downtown. He added four rebounds and one assist with no turnover, showing nerves of steel for a rookie.

“We see it in practice. When he’s had opportunities in the G-League, he’s played really well there as well. He played well in the summer league. It’s good for him to have an opportunity like that,” Thibodeau said of McBride. “All the things that he’s working on every day and then to get into a game situation and to see it unfold, it’s good, it’s positive. Our young guys are really playing hard, and they’re coming along.”

McBride’s confidence was oozing all night. Even the shots that he missed, he took them with conviction. There was no sign of hesitation.

Four impressive games in the G League prepared McBride for his moment. He dominated the G League competition with monster numbers — 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.3 steals — and shot 40.5 percent from the three-point territory on 9.3 attempts.

“Deuce is a good player, man,” Derrick Rose said. His confidence is very high. His defense is top-tier. He just needs the time. Hopefully, Thibs gives him the time. But we know how good he is. And we know how good the rookies are. So it’s all about opportunity in this league.”

Thibodeau constantly harped about “confidence comes from preparation.”

McBride is another proof of that Thibodeau’s tenet.

When preparation met opportunity, he grabbed it, and he never let it go. McBride was the only Knicks player who finished with a positive (+4) plus-minus.

Barring any trade that would bring in a solid Kemba Walker replacement in the coming days, McBride figures to play more minutes moving forward as they continue to miss their COVID-19 stricken teammates.

McBride leapfrogging Walker in the rotation could be the final sign that the former four-time All-Star point guard is on his way out of New York. Walker and Fournier, who had a season-low two points on 1 of 5 shooting, will be trade-eligible beginning Wednesday.

Thibodeau remained steadfast with his decision to sit out Walker despite the Knicks sliding to their seventh loss in the last eight games — their record since he yanked the New York-bred point guard out of the rotation.

“You just want to put your team in a position to win. If you look at the games and you go through the games, there’s some really good stuff, and there’s some stuff that, obviously, has to be better,” Thibodeau reasoned out.

While Golden State coach Steve Kerr has it all figured out with the Warriors thanks to the continuity of their championship core led by Curry, Thibodeau is still learning more about his team.

“I think we’re finding some stuff out about some [of our] young guys. I love our young guys. When Jericho [Sims] stepped in, he played well (in Atlanta). When Quentin (Grimes) stepped in, he played well. I thought Deuce (Miles McBride) played well tonight. So, you know, we need everyone.”

What is becoming more apparent is that the Knicks’ offseason acquisitions — Walker and Fournier — have been a major flop. Their rookies’ promising showing somehow provides the silver lining amid a disastrous start.

Curry capped his 22-point (5 of 14 3s) performance with the dagger three-pointer in the final 2:41.

Curry’s historic night was a painful reminder of what the Knicks missed in the 2009 NBA Draft. They came one pick away from perhaps their greatest selection since Patrick Ewing.

The Warriors scuttled their plan.

To the victor belongs the spoils. To the loser belongs the lessons.

After several draft misses, finally, the Knicks appear to have had hit their recent picks.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Watch: Knicks rookie Miles McBride notches 1st G League double-double

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knicks, new york knicks, miles mcbride

New York Knicks rookie Miles McBride keeps on piling up milestones in his NBA G League assignment.

Barely 24 hours after notching his career-high in scoring, McBride recorded his first double-double in the G League Showcase. The 36th pick of this year’s NBA draft followed up his 31-point, 11-assist effort Thursday night with 23 points and 11 assists.

McBride came through in the clutch as the Westchester Knicks repeated over College Park Skyhawks, 121-117, Friday night at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He sealed the Knicks’ second straight win and fourth in 10 games with a three-pointer and two free throws in the final 80 seconds after the Skyhawks threatened at 116-112.

In a dominant performance against Sharife Cooper and the Skyhawks, McBride came two rebounds shy of a triple-double. Cooper led the Skyhawks with 27 points and five assists but had seven turnovers. McBride only had two errors in 39 minutes.

The Knicks rookie out of West Virginia had six assists in the third quarter alone to help the Knicks get a 96-90 cushion. McBride showed his full offensive arsenal, hitting 8 of 15 shots and 3 of 7 from downtown.

Luka Samanic also had a monster double-double with a new career-high 36 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out in the final minute. Samanic, the Knicks’ two-way player, was an unstoppable force making 15 of 26 shots, including a highlight dunk early in the game.

It was Samanic’s fourth double-double in seven games. Brandon Goodwin added 18 points and seven assists.

Westchester Knicks will have more than one week of rest before taking on playoff-bound Delaware Blue Coats (6-1) on Dec. 12 on the road. It is unclear if McBride will see action as the New York Knicks will host defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on the same day.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Deuce on the loose: Knicks rookie Miles McBride explodes vs Skyhawks

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New York Knicks rookie point guard Miles McBride keeps on getting better with more games in the G League.

In his third G League assignment, McBride recorded a career-high 31 points to lead the Westchester Knicks to a 123-102 rout of the College Park Skyhawks Thursday night at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The Knicks improved to 3-6 in the G League Showcase after holding the Skyhawks to a season-low 11 points in the opening quarter and never looked back.

McBride shot 12 of 20 from the field and hit 5 of 10 from downtown for his scoring rampage. He added nine assists, five rebounds, and one steal in 36 minutes. McBride’s scoring performance has jumped from 25 to 29, and 31 points in his first three G League games. He is averaging 28.0 points and 7.7 assists, along with 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals, while shooting 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from downtown on a staggering 9.7 attempts.

Luka Samanic, Knicks’ two-way player, had his fifth straight 20-point game. The 6-foot-1 Croatian forward also earned his third double-double of the season with 25 points and 16 rebounds that went with four assists and one steal. Samanic picked apart Skyhawks defense with an efficient 8 of 14 shooting from the field, including 3 for 6 three-pointers.

Samanic is averaging a double-double with 26.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in six games. The 21-year old stretch four is shooting 54.6 percent from the field and hitting 44 percent of his 5.7 three-point attempts per game.

Two more Knicks players contributed at least 20 points. Aamir Simms also logged in a double-double with 23 points, 10 boards, and two blocks, while Brandon Goodwin chipped in 20 points and four assists.

The still winless Skyhawks drew 19 points each from Atlanta rookies Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper.

McBride was recalled and practiced with the Knicks on Friday morning. But he is scheduled to play again in the Westchester-College Park rematch later in the night.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks rookie Miles McBride continues to impress in G League

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Knicks photo of Miles McBride dunk

New York Knicks rookie point guard Miles McBride had another solid game in his second G League assignment. But it was not enough as the Westchester Knicks fell short against the Maine Celtics, 110-100, Monday night at Webster Bank Arena.

McBride finished with a G League career-high 28 points highlighted by a thunderous in-your-face slam in the second quarter.

“Just really attacked the rim as hard as I can. I missed a couple of shots, so it’s [letting] frustrations [out],” McBride said of his highlight dunk.

McBride’s frustrations did not go away as the Celtics led by as many as 24 points in the second half. The Knicks blew a 12-point lead in the opening quarter to slide to a 2-6 record.

Not even McBride’s complete line could save them.

The 36th pick of this year’s NBA Draft shot 11 of 25 from the field and made 5 of 12 3s. McBride filled the stats sheet with six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block against two turnovers in 41 minutes.

Through two G League games, McBride averages 26.5 points on a 43/33/100 shooting split with 5.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.5 steals.

Knicks two-way player, Luka Samanic, continued his explosive scoring acts with a game-high 29 points and nine rebounds. The 21-year old Croatian forward hit 5 of 10 3s and added three assists in 39 minutes.

Samanic scored Westchester’s first 11 points in the fourth quarter as they cut the lead down to 14, 92-78. Back-to-back three-pointers from Tyler Hall, who had 25 points, and McBride brought them within eight, 92-84. It was the closest they could get as former Knick Theo Pinson answered with a three-pointer to restore Maine’s double-digit lead.

The Celtics improved to an East regional pod-leading 7-1 record.

The Knicks will host the winless College Park Skyhawks (0-5) on Thursday.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

Knicks assign Miles McBride to Westchester for the second time

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After the New York Knicks dropped Kemba Walker from the rotation, the team also made another point guard move.

The Knicks sent rookie point guard Miles McBride to play for Westchester on Monday night’s game against the Maine Celtics.

The game is set at 7 p.m. at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

It will mark the second time McBride will play in the G League. Earlier this month, McBride was sensational in his G League debut. The seldom-used Knicks rookie point guard took the most out of the opportunity.

McBride came one assist shy of a double-double providing the jolt for the Westchester Knicks to pick up their first win of the season — a 104-98 victory over Long Island Nets on Nov. 18. He shot 10 of 24 from the field in 41 minutes and only committed three turnovers.

McBride will team up anew with the Knicks’ other two-way player Luka Samanic, the G League’s second-leading scorer. Samanic averages 26.8 points on an efficient 56.9 percent shooting from the floor, including a 39-percent clip from downtown in 30.3 minutes. The 6-10 Croatian forward also norms 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists (against 4.0 turnovers), and 1.5 blocks.

The Westchester Knicks currently hold a 2-5 record in the East.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo