miles mcbride

Miles McBride dominates in G League debut

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miles mcbride, knicks

New York Knicks rookie Miles McBride made the most out of the opportunity and showed out in a spectacular G League debut.

After playing only four garbage minutes in two games to start his rookie season, McBride proved he belonged to the NBA by stamping his class in the developmental league.

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 Wednesday night.

The Knicks rookie guard out of West Virginia scattered 29 points and a game-high nine assists. He added five rebounds and two steals as Westchester won its home opener in its temporary home, snapping a four-game losing skid.

The Knicks affiliate club played at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as the Westchester County Center is currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site.

Knicks’ two-way player Luca Samanic was also impressive in his return from a heel injury. The Croatian forward scored 32 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as he and McBride teamed up as Westchester’s 1-2 punch combo.

McBride picked up the pace from the start pouring in nine points and four assists in the opening quarter. His seven-point outburst transformed a one-point deficit into a 25-22 lead, which the Knicks never relinquished.

“I love him, I love him,’’ Thibodeau said of McBride before his Knicks lost to Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden later in the night. “I think it’s important for him to be with us. But every opportunity we get where we can have him play some, we want to try to take advantage of that as well. But he’s got a great future, a great kid, hard worker. And when you come into this league, it’s all about — you’ve got to learn first. And that’s what he’s doing.”

Westchester led by as many as 17 before a spirited Long Island comeback trimmed the deficit to two points at the start of the third quarter.

A Samanic three-pointer off a McBride assist triggered a 10-2 salvo that restored order for the Knicks. McBride punctuated the run with a thunderous dunk as the Knicks grabbed a 72-62 lead with 8:55 left in the third quarter.

“It’s just day-to-day,’’ Thibodeau said. “When we have an opportunity to send him, we’ll send him. I love the proximity of it where it’s right there, and it’s in our building. So I think it’s important for him to be with us in practice and games. But anytime we have a situation where he can do both. Ideally, that’s what we would like to have.

“There will be some [days] where he goes back and forth. I love who he is. He’s a big part of practice every day for us.”

McBride played 41 minutes and only committed three turnovers. He shot 10 of 24 from the field.

Samanic, a waiver pickup after San Antonio Spurs dumped him, played 32 minutes in his return. He added two assists and made 12 of 23 shots.

Aamir Simms backstopped Westchester’s 1-2 punch combo with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Westchester’s next game will be on Nov. 23, a rematch against the Nets at home. It is unclear if McBride will see action again as the Knicks will also host the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on the same night.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

Knicks assign rookie Miles McBride to G League

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knicks, new york knicks, miles mcbride

The New York Knicks are assigning seldom-used rookie point guard Miles McBride to the NBA G League.

McBride, the 36th pick of the recent draft, will be available to play for the Westchester Knicks’ home opener against the Long Island Nets.

The game is set Wednesday night in their temporary home at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as the Westchester County Center is currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site.

The telecast starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

McBride is currently buried under the deep backcourt rotation of Tom Thibodeau with Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and Alec Burks all healthy and playing well. The former West Virginia standout has only logged in a total of four minutes in the regular season, appearing in garbage time in two games. He has yet to score his first NBA basket, missing all his four attempts.

Thibodeau has hinted in the past that they will use the G League to have their rookies get some reps in real game settings.

“When we have opportunities to get them playing time [in the G League], we’ll try to take advantage of that,” Thibodeau said. “I also think having substitutes in practice for some of our guys is an important part. The value has to be what’s best for us. We put a lot of time into our player development, so they put in work before. I like the thought of [G League] playing time, and I love the proximity of it, playing a game, and also getting [them] back and be with us.”

At Westchester, McBride will have the chance to play meaningful minutes in competitive games, something that he’s not bound to get in the NBA while the Knicks are healthy. The Westchester Knicks also need McBride as they are still winless in four games.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

NBA GM Poll: Knicks outside East’s Top 7 despite having best defensive coach

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New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau

Just like last year, the NBA general managers keep on sleeping on Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks.

Despite the addition of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier to a core that finished fourth in the East last season, the general managers around the league don’t see a top-seven team.

In the annual NBA GM survey released Tuesday, Knicks’ crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets emerged as the heavy favorites to win the title, netting 72 percent of the overall votes, followed by Los Angeles Lakers (17%) and Milwaukee Bucks (10%). 

The Knicks were nowhere to be found among the Eastern Conference’s top seven teams. According to the general managers, the Nets, Bucks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Indiana Pacers are better than the Knicks.

But this is the least of concern of Thibodeau, who likes their chances once he gets the same buy-in as last season.

“It doesn’t really matter what outsiders think,” Thibodeau said in the training camp. “What matters is what we think. And we have an understanding of what we’re doing each and every day. And we understand we have to do it together.”

“I think you go into every season and we feel if we’re doing the right things, the results will take care of themselves.”

Naysayers view the Knicks’ surprising fourth-place finish in the regular season as a fluke, inflated by the COVID-related absences of key players of the other teams and the crowd-less games for most of the season. The playoffs exposed the chinks in the armor of the overachieving Knicks.

Leon Rose and his front office tried to plug those holes with the addition of Walker, a four-time All-Star who had knee issues in the past two years, and Fournier. Walker ranked fifth on the list of the most underrated player acquisition.

They have also added two defensive-minded rookies who can shoot the lights out in Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride to add more depth to a roster that can go as deep as a 12-man rotation. McBride, the 36th pick, also received votes for the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft.

The Knicks’ front office was also recognized for their prudent decisions, getting votes in the list of teams that made the best overall offseason moves.

Thibodeau, who won his second NBA Coach of the Year award last year over Monty Williams, isn’t considered a top-five head coach in the league next season. Heat’s Erik Spoelstra topped the list for the second year in a row, followed by Williams, Quin Snyder, Gregg Popovich, and Mike Budenholzer.

However, NBA GMS overwhelmingly picked Thibodeau as the top head coach with the best defensive schemes. He also received votes in the head coach who makes the best in-game adjustments.

“Understand what goes into winning, do everything you can to help the team win, and if we get the whole group doing that, we like our chances. There’s no easy way to do this. The teams are good, all 30 teams have great talent so you have to find a way to win games,” Thibodeau said.

Finding that edge is one of Thibodeau’s strongest suits as he has the uncanny ability to squeeze everything he can from his team.

With the crowd returning in full force this season, the Knicks were voted third behind Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets as the top teams with the best home-court advantage.

That will be in full display starting Tuesday when the Knicks host the Pacers in a preseason game at 7:30 p.m. in the Garden.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks’ Miles McBride could have a bigger impact than expected in rookie season

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miles mcbride, knicks

If there’s any specific factor that New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau prefers in his players, it is defensive proficiency. In the most recent draft class, the Knicks targeted players like Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride, both known for their defensive attributes but high ceiling regarding their scoring abilities.

Grimes was once ignorant of the benefits of playing high-level defense, but during his time with Houston, he learned the ways which caught the eye of Thibodeau. McBride, who played with West Virginia, has always been an aggressive player guarding the perimeter, utilizing his extraordinarily long wingspan and massive hands to help cut passing lanes and poke the ball free from handlers.

Despite McBride being a second-round selection, the Knicks are confident he will develop into a potential starter down the road. During Summer League play, McBride looked fantastic over 27.7 minutes per game. He averaged 15.2 points, shooting 53.2% from the field and 50% from three-point range, over 6.0 attempts per game. He also contributed 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds, including 1.3 steals, showcasing his quick hands.

While the Summer League offers players an opportunity to develop alongside NBA talent, it doesn’t mean they will be efficient during regular-season games.

Despite shooting incredibly, the sample size is too small to consider McBride anything but a reserve player in his rookie season. Nonetheless, the West Virginia product already understands what he needs to do to earn minutes and make an impact this year.

Knicks’ Miles McBride already knows the best way to make an impact, saying as much to The Spun in an interview:

Just be ready for anything. You know how quickly things can change in the NBA. I need to be ready to play in any role, whether that’s bringing the ball up the floor, making shots in the corner, or trying to take out the opposing team’s best player. I just need to be versatile.

Known for his toughness, McBride can offer immediate defense in specific scenarios. With Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker as the primary point guards, their defense can be a weakness at times with a focus on scoring and faciliating, which is where McBride can get on the floor and apply his talents. In addition, he’s an even better scorer than Frank Ntilikina, who the Knicks let go this off-season, signing a two-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

Given Rose and Walker essentially have two-year deals themselves, McBride will be developing his game over the next few seasons to prepare himself for the future. If he can increase his scoring proficiency and improve his defensive strengths, Thibodeau could entrust him with the starting gig down the line. His rookie season is a great opportunity to establish some strengths at the NBA level while developing his weaknesses as the regular season continues.

Grading the Knicks’ NBA 2K22 Ratings: Are they accurate?

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knicks

With the release of NBA 2K22 last Friday, we finally have our first look at the 2021-22 New York Knicks roster in 2K. This also means that Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes are playable for the first time ever. Let’s dive into these ratings and see if 2K got it right.

The Ratings

Julius Randle, 87

Can’t really complain about this one. Coming off the best season of his career where he won Most Improved Player(MIP), Randle has earned his place among the top ratings in the Eastern Conference. He should probably be at an 88 or an 89, but his performance in last year’s playoffs definitely played a factor in this year’s rating.

Grade: B

RJ Barrett, 83

This one was really surprising. Not because of how he isn’t higher, but because 2K finally decided to show RJ some respect. 83 is honestly a really great jumping-off point this upcoming season for the 21-year-old. The rating isn’t too low or too high, it’s perfect.

Grade: A

Kemba Walker, 83

Unsurprisingly, this is the lowest rating Walker has had since NBA 2K16. The 5-time All-Star had one of the worst seasons of his career last year and looks to bounce back on his hometown team. His dynamic scoring and playmaking abilities could transform the Knicks’ offense, leading to a ratings boost down the line. However, whether it be from his knee issues or just a regression of his skills, there is also a chance 83 isn’t the lowest we see his rating throughout the year.

Grade: A-

Derrick Rose, 83

After a terrific playoff series against the Hawks last season, D-Rose earned this 83 rating. Although he’s tied for the 2nd highest rating on the team, the former MVP will be coming off the bench this season. Look for him to make a real run at 6th Man of the Year and for this rating to stay pretty much the same all season.

Grade: A

Mitchell Robinson, 80

There’s no question about it: When the 7’0 Robinson is healthy, there are not many other players in the league who can match his level of athleticism and energy. However, he’s coming off multiple injuries, the latter of which saw him miss the final 26 games of the regular season, including the series against the Hawks. If he’s able to stay healthy, there’s little-to-no chance that this rating stays the same. For now, it does make sense after not playing half of last season.

Grade: B+

Evan Fournier, 79

This is the first one that’s way off. 2k has had a tendency in the past to underrate guards/wings that can score in a multitude of ways. Any guard they perceive to not be able to defend well and not have playmaking abilities will have a hard time getting a rating over 80, especially if they play for the Knicks. This one just doesn’t make sense, though. It could be due to the fact that the devs may have been taking his stats with Boston into account too much. Before his trade to the Celtics, Fournier was putting up almost 20 PPG in only 30 minutes per game. Fournier is at least an 82, maybe even an 83. The intangibles he brings on offense, including his shooting and finishing skills, are better than any other 79 in the game. This rating isn’t accurate at all.

Grade: F

Immanuel Quickley, 78

As one of the biggest steals in the 2020 NBA Draft, Quickley improved his rating from a 71 last year all the way up to a 79 by the end of the year. This is why this rating doesn’t really do it for me. To drop down a point after an entire offseason doesn’t make much sense. We’ll see how it unfolds for the second year from Kentucky, but there’s little doubt that he improves enough to get this rating over 80 by the playoffs.

Side note, Quickley is REALLY good at NBA2K.

Grade: C

Nerlens Noel, 78

As the defensive anchor of the Knicks throughout the final stretch of last season that culminated in the team making the playoffs for the first time in 8 years, Noel proved that he wasn’t your average backup center. Defensively, Noel is an incredibly reliable option off the bench. However, his offensive woes will always hamper any rating he’ll ever get from 2K.

Grade: A-

Obi Toppin, 76

If it weren’t for the competency and confidence shown by Obi Toppin at the end of the season last year, there’s a chance he’s nowhere near the 76 that he finds himself right now. The potential is clearly there, but will he find the ability to become more offensively dynamic? Only time will tell. But until we see him take a big leap, the rating he currently holds will stay the same.

The Rest:

Taj Gibson, 76

Kevin Knox, 72

Quentin Grimes, 71

Luca Vildoza, 71

Dwayne Bacon, 71

Miles McBride, 70

Overall, the Knicks have a team rating of 83, which is the highest rating they’ve had since NBA 2K14.

Knicks News, 9/15: Frank Ntilikina finds a new home, Miles McBride becomes a Nike Athlete

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks made it a priority to upgrade the point guard position this off-season, which included letting former draft pick Frank Ntilikina hit the streets in free agency. Ntilikina, who has been looking for a new home the past few weeks, is expected to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Marc Stein.

The Mavericks were expected to draft Ntilikina back in 2017 but ended up going No. 8 to the Knicks, so Dallas selected Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9. Interestingly, both players ended up playing for New York in a limited fashion, and both are considered massive busts.

During his time with the Knicks, Ntilikina averaged a measly 5.5 points, 2.7 assists, and shot 36.6% from the field. He secured a 42.9% effective field-goal percentage, showcasing almost no offensive production during his four years with the team.

However, Frank has always been known for his quality defense, averaging 0.8 steals despite playing in just 19.5 minutes per contest. For a Dallas team that clearly had their eyes set on him back in 2017, taking a chance on the 22-year-old could end up being a good move. A change of scenery might help him tap into some undeveloped parts of his game, but the Knicks will move forward with rookies Miles McBride and veterans Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose.

Speaking of McBride, the West Virginia stand-out recently signed a deal to become an endorsed athlete with Nike. While the contract details have not been released just yet, he will undoubtedly be earning a pretty penny on the side with this endorsement.

McBride showed out during Summer League play with the Knicks this off-season, averaging 27.7 minutes over six games. McBride posted 15.2 points on 53.2% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from three-point range, attempting 6.0 shots from range per game. He also shot 87.5% from the free-throw line and tallied 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

The Knicks are expecting big things out of the rookie, but it will be difficult for him to find playing time this season unless injuries allow him the opportunity.

Do the New York Knicks already have their long-term solution at point guard on the roster?

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immanuel quickley, knicks

The New York Knicks have set themselves up perfectly for the future, whereas over the past few seasons, they’ve made malicious moves that have disrupted chemistry and convinced star players to take their talents elsewhere.

It was only one year ago that fans believed the Knicks might trade Julius Randle for more draft capital. Instead, Randle became one of the best players in the league and one of the first All-Stars the Knicks have had in years. However, the point guard position remained a serious issue, but the front office might have put a plan in place that could keep the spot healthy and full of talent for the next 5+ years.

Of course, the Knicks retained Derrick Rose on a three-year contract and signed Kemba Walker on a two-year deal. Between Rose and Walker, they have seven All-Star appearances. Rose hasn’t enjoyed a season of that caliber since 2011, but Walker is only one year removed from a season where he averaged 20.4 points per game. Nonetheless, both are dealing with degenerative bodies and require one another to mitigate fatigue over the course of an 82-game season.

The Knicks have plenty of supplemental talent in case they need to rest either of the two veterans. Deploying Immanuel Quickley at point guard during Summer League play and drafting Miles McBride out of West Virginia could be the perfect long-term solution at PG. Considering Rose’s deal is essentially a two-year contract, matching up with Walker’s, they are giving their youth plenty of time to develop and refine their talents.

McBride, who is known for his toughness and energy on defense, averaged 27.7 minutes during the Summer League. He posted 15.2 points, shooting 53.2% from the field and 50% from three-point range. He seemed every part of a solid point guard, posting 3.5 assists on average. Alternatively, Quickley recorded 20.2 points and 7.8 assists per game.

It is a major positive to see two young players developing their skills at a position the Knicks have had a lack of talent at for years. Now the team has four competent players they can rely on without skipping a beat.

However, each individual player has their strengths and weaknesses, which head coach Tom Thibodeau can expand upon. For example, Rose dominates as a floor general, driving to the rim and using his savviness to get the ball into the paint and maximize center play. Although Rose posted a career-high 41% shooting from three-point range this past season, far exceeding expectations on the team traded for him at the deadline.

Walker is it true and tried scorer, and while he doesn’t have the elite court vision you prefer from a point guard, he takes pressure off players like Julius Randle, who the Knicks were forced to rely on during the postseason and throughout the regular campaign. Having a player like Kemba who can produce double-digit points on a nightly basis is a huge addition, especially at his $8 million AAV price point.

Quickley is still finding his groove in the NBA but offers immediate offense off the bench and has developed significantly with his court vision. His biggest weakness is poor shot selection and driving to the rim (23.8% of his points last season came around the rim), two things he worked on this off-season. He still requires more of a sample size and live-action.

McBride is a defensive maestro, having the largest wingspan and hand size of any PG in the most recent draft class. Thibodeau loves his tenacity on defense, but he also proved to be an adequate scorer from beyond the arc this summer. Altogether, Thibodeau can curate plenty of different combinations to maximize each player’s strengths and hide their weaknesses, which presents an extremely exciting period for Knicks basketball.

Just how great did the Knicks’ rookies look to close out the Summer League?

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks emerged victorious against the Atlanta Hawks in the final preseason game of the Summer League. The Knicks experienced ebbs and flows as they built chemistry and continuity with one another. Going out in style was exactly what the front office wanted to see from their youngsters, especially with the obvious development of Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.

However, it was the team’s rookies that stood out in the victory over Atlanta, combining for 51 points and hitting 11  3-PT shots.

The team walked away victorious by a score of 104-85, pummeling Atlanta and showcasing some of their youth talents. After a 28 point performance against the Detroit Pistons, 25th overall pick Quentin Grimes posted 26 points, six rebounds, three assist, and shot 58.8% from the field. He also connected on 50% of his shots from range, displaying his ability to curate shots for himself but also open up the floor for others.

Over six games, Grimes average 32.8 minutes, including 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and picked up 0.5 steals per game. With his clear-cut progression as the Summer League chugged along, Grimes’s impact will end up being essential for a team that will ultimately create rotations to help mitigate fatigue for the regular starters over the course of an entire season. Over the final three Summer League games, Grimes combine for 66 points. He showcased solid defense, three-point shooting, shot creation, and even portrayed vision as a facilitator.

However, fellow rookie Miles McBride also had a stand-out performance, scoring 19 points and picking up four assists in the win. He shot 70% from the field and hit five three-pointers, good for a 62.5% three-point percentage.

McBride averaged 27.7 minutes per game, posting 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He also tallied 1.3 steals per game, a solid number that showed his defensive prowess and quick hands. McBride exceeded expectations valiantly, and if he continues to play like this during the regular season, Tom Thibodeau could begin favoring him in specific situations.

It is clear the West Virginia product has plenty of potential as not only a defensive weapon but also a three-point shooter. Increasing his comfort and vision on the court will only make him a more well-rounded point guard. McBride could be the future at the position for the Knicks, despite Immanuel Quickley looking the part, averaging 20.2 points over 33.5 minutes per game. Quickley also posted a fantastic 7.8 assists per contest, showcasing his efficiency as a facilitator.

One low-key rookie who made a name for himself is Jericho Sims, who average 28 minutes per game. He logged 8.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. His athleticism above the rim and physicality down low could earn him a roster spot.

Overall, the Knicks saw tremendous value from their rookies, displaying potential nobody expected. The Knicks’ coaching staff is already showing how valuable they can be helping players evolve in such a short period of time.

Obi Toppin says Knicks rookies are showing why they should play next season

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new york knicks

The New York Knicks have upgraded their roster via free agency while maintaining their depth to build on the momentum of their first playoff appearance since 2013.

The Knicks went into the NBA Summer League with a primary focus on Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley’s development as leaders, and they are getting more than what they bargained.

Toppin and Quickley have been balling out in their first NBA Summer League after the event was scratched last year due to the pandemic. The Knicks’ sophomores have been included in The Athletic’s NBA Draft analyst Sam Vecenie’s ‘Too Good for Summer League Team,’ while their rookies have shown plenty of promise.

“It’s been great being out there with those guys, leading those guys, and pushing those guys. Everybody on that team has a heart and loves the hustle. When you’re playing with a bunch of dogs, then your team is fun,” Toppin said after the Knicks chalked up their third win in five Summer League games last Saturday.

In a true Tom Thibodeau fashion, Toppin (36.5 minutes) and Quickley (34.5 minutes) lead the NBA Summer League in playing time. Knicks Summer League coach Daisuke “Dice” Yoshimoto has referred to them as leaders of this team.

Toppin has been productive, averaging 23.0 points (no. 4 in scoring), 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 46 percent from the floor and making 2.2 3s per game.

“Obi put in a lot of time over the summer. And it showed. He’s gonna continue to get better, put time in, and the result will gonna take care of itself,” Yoshimoto said. “This is his chance to showcase who he is. He’s gonna continue to put his time in, work hard, and build the right habits.”

The biggest takeaway here is Toppin can produce when used right. Toppin was able to show his potential as a rim runner, roll man, and pick and pop big man as opposed to his ill-fitted role last season as a floor-spacing big man just waiting in the corner.

On the other hand, Quickley, despite his shaky shooting (38 percent overall, 25 percent from 3) in Las Vegas, has made great strides as a lead guard with his 8.0 assists ranking third behind traditional point guards — Atlanta rookie Sharife Cooper (9.0) and Boston’s sophomore Payton Pritchard (8.7). Quickley also averages 21.8 points (no. 7) to go with 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Their rookies Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, Jericho Sims, and their pick-and-stash Rokas Jokubaitis, who left for Spain, have followed their lead.

“All those guys are doing great. Quick (Quickley) has been doing a great job with Deuce (McBride) and Quentin (Grimes). Jericho (Sims) has been doing a great job listening to all of us and doing his part. Every rookie on [our] team is doing good, and they’re showing Thibs why they should be on the court next season,” Toppin said.

Heeding the advice of Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway, Grimes finally looked like the 3-and-D guy the Knicks have drafted in their last two games, scoring 15 and 28 points, after groping for form in his first three games.

McBride has been stellar running the point in Quickley’s absence (due to a sore groin) against the Cleveland Cavaliers. McBride scored a personal Summer League-best 23 points on 9 of 14 shooting and handed out five assists while playing solid defense (four rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot).

Through five games, McBride, the 36th pick overall, is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals with a 50/46/88 shooting split.

Sims has made his first 10 field goals and is leading the Summer League in field goal percentage (88.2 percent) among players who have played at least three games and attempted at least four field goals per game. In four games, Sims has put up 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks.

“They are gonna continue to put their time in and get better. Let’s see where they are at training camp,” Yoshimoto said.

Toppin attributed their great on-court chemistry to the culture they had been building in New York since Thibodeau’s arrival last year.

“I feel like just the brotherhood we’ve built. Everybody on our team is very close. We hang out with each other every single day. And we love to compete. Every time we step on that floor, we give it our 110 percent every game, and we’ve got to continue doing that for the season,” Toppin said.

The Knicks will close out their Summer League play against the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. Monday. Toppin and the Knicks are raring to come out with a bang.

“I think one thing we need to focus on is just lock in defensively — having our best defensive game and just having fun out there,” Toppin said. “So, it’s gonna be our last Summer League game, and we need to make a statement going into the new season.”

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks’ Miles McBride knows the recipe to playing time under Tom Thibodeau

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knicks, new york knicks, miles mcbride

“Toughness.” That’s the main word coaches, and talent evaluators use when describing Knicks‘ rookie point guard Miles McBride. Nicknamed “Duece,” the West Virginia standout is looking to make an impression this upcoming season, despite sitting behind Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker on the depth chart.

Just because McBride has himself an uphill battle to earn playing time in 2021 doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact in some way. The youngster has already started devising ways to find time on the court, but his Summer League performance so far has proved he’s more than capable.

“This is a league about creating opportunities and one of my strengths is defense,” he said, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “And that’s how I’m going to create opportunities for myself.”

In the Knicks’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, McBride recorded 23 points, the second-highest on the team. He shot 9-of-14 from the field, connecting on 64% of the shots. From deep, he hit 5-of-8 three-pointers, logging a 62.5% success rate. McBride also contributed five assists and four rebounds but did commit four turnovers.

With a healthy dosage of offense, McBride is already proving he can be an adequate PG at the NBA level. Despite his point totals, McBride knows his easiest path to playing time is defense, something he focused on at West Virginia under Bob Huggins.

“It’s just about wanting to get after guys,” he said. “I felt like playing for Coach (Bob) Huggins, one of the main reasons I went there is to play defense like that and learn more from him. It’s a lot about a want and having that mentality that I want to go play defense and I want to stop guys from scoring, instead of it’s just part of the game and I’m just out there to play.”

Fellow teammate Obi Toppin reverberated these words, indicating how important playing efficient and aggressive defense is under Thibodeau.

“We know what coach Thibs wants and that’s defense,” Toppin said. “We gotta make sure all of our rookies know that and they lock in on that.”

So far, the 36th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft is living up to expectations if not exceeding them. McBride has all the tools to become a good player, and it is entirely dependent on his development from the coaching staff. Having Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose as mentors doesn’t hurt either, and they should offer him essential tips and tricks to making positive progress during his rookie season.