miles mcbride

Knicks: Inside Miles McBride’s ‘stay ready’ mentality

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miles mcbride, knicks

With the game hanging in the balance, Immanuel Quickley attacked the basket but lost his balance. 

Luckily for the New York Knicks, Quickley’s pass, despite getting slightly deflected, went into the hottest hands of the night.

Knicks rookie Miles McBride drilled in his sixth three-pointer just before the shot clock buzzer to give the Knicks a five-point breather, 85-80, with 1:20 left.

Quickley and McBride scored the Knicks’ final 22 points to wrap up their second win in the NBA Summer League — a 91-82 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McBride scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, including 14 in the final quarter, in what should go down as his signature game in this year’s NBA Summer League. He was brilliant on the offensive end — a perfect six for six from deep and 7 of 9 overall while handing out five assists.

“Honestly, it’s just about staying ready so you don’t have to get ready,” McBride told Cassidy Hubbarth after the game. “I mean, the ball is gonna find me. I just have to make open shots. That’s what I do. I’ve trusted (Immanuel) Quickley to make the right reads so I’m just gonna stay ready.”

McBride’s unbridled confidence comes from preparation — a Tom Thibodeau tenet. It’s no wonder why Thibodeau reportedly pushed for him in the NBA Draft.

“Obviously, he’s a very good player. He’s putting a lot of time in the gym and it showed today,” Knicks Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto said. “You could tell he shot very well in college and he’s gonna continue to put his time in and he’s gonna continue to keep getting better. That’s who he is.”

It’s in McBride’s DNA growing up in a competitive household.

His father, Walter McBride, was a standout at Xavier in the 1980s before playing overseas basketball while his mother, Kim, lettered in tennis at Ohio State. His brother, Trey, played college ball at Northwood and is now playing overseas while his sister, Kristen, plays volleyball in West Virginia.

McBride has been killing it in the Summer League not only from the outside but also from the midrange.

Through three games, McBride is averaging 15.0 points in 26.4 minutes per game. His shooting splits of 63/62/88 have been oustanding.

“He’s gonna continue to shoot the right ones. If he’s open, I keep telling him to shoot it. If not, move it. Make the game simple. And that’s what he did today,” Yoshimoto said.

It looked simple but McBride went through a complex process trying to perfect his craft. It started at home where charity always begins.

“Honestly, my dad played back when there was no three-point line so it’s nothing but midrange. So he’s always been the guy who really taught me, just pass it down to me and my brother. A lot of time in the backyard, you know, until the street lights are coming on. We’re out there in the park, in our backyard just shooting midrange shots,” McBride revealed.

The unseen hours have made McBride confident with his shot. From the backyard, to park, to school, to film room, and the NBA court, McBride always leans on his competitive edge to learn and grow.

“It’s just about taking shots in the flow of the game. In the first game, I kinda rushed a lot of shots. I just went back to watch the film with the coaches and try to understand the game more and just find where the best shots are gonna come from. That’s what I felt I did today,” McBride said.

His shot was also inspired, in part, by his new teammate and future backcourt mentor Kemba Walker.

“He’s a killer from the midrange and I feel like that’s one of the things I’m very good at as well so, I’ve watched a lot of Kemba films,” McBride said.

He was excited when he heard the news of Walker coming home to New York even if that meant less chances for him to earn minutes on the floor in his rookie year.

“I was really excited. I mean, you got to play with guys like Kemba, Julius (Randle), Derrick Rose. Those are the guys I grew up watching. To get to be alongside them is a dream come true,” he said.

While his shot and playmaking had inspired excitement, it’s his defense that he thinks would be his ticket to playing time under Thibodeau.

“This is a league about creating opportunities. I feel like one of my strengths is defense so, that’s the best way I can create opportunities for myself,” McBride said.

McBride was equally impressive on the defensive end against the Lakers. His seven rebounds and one steal didn’t do justice to how he defended well. He picked up opposing guards full court and contested shots.

His competitive fire was lit up by nine-time All-Defensive Team and the 1996 Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton.

“We’re definitely going through a lot of rookie transition stuff, and Gary Payton was talking like, you know, obviously, he’s a Hall of Famer, he’s the best [guard] defender probably to have ever played in the league. So he was talking line nobody can pick up the full court, so I want to come out here and show him I could do that,” McBride said.

McBride is as good as advertised — the 3-and-D guard prospect that the Knicks were lucky to have stolen in the second round.

In these summer league games, the Knicks have experimented playing him off the ball alongside Quickley, and the proof is in the pudding.

“It starts with his defensive tenacity first. [Deuce] can defend multiple positions. He can play on the ball. He can play off the ball on the defensive end,” Yoshimoto said of the versatile rookie guard.

But his path to rotation minutes in the regular season is unclear.

Tony Coleman, a freelance NBA scout, has seen all the Knicks games in the Summer League, and he came away impressed with McBride. However, with the Knicks backcourt depth, he has tempered expectations on McBride breaking out in his rookie year.

“[Deuce] is very talented, athletic, good shooter from 3. He passes well, good on-ball defender. Overall, he’s well rounded and a good value pick,” Coleman told Empire Sports Media. “However, playing time is going to be another story. With Quickley, Kemba, Rose in the fold, when will Deuce get any minutes? We’ll have to see how things play out.”

With NBA returning to its 82-regular season calendar, Coleman believes McBride will carve out a role at some point especially given the health risks attached to Walker and Rose. And his Summer League play showed his versatility.

“I really like Deuce a lot. To be able to shoot the ball the way he can, he could also be used as a spot-up deep threat on the perimeter. Those moments both he and Quickley were in the games together, that particular scenario actually happened here in summer league play. Knicks have some decisions to make,” Coleman said.

McBride is showing a total package in the Summer League. He can catch and shoot, pull up, and create off the dribble. But it’s his defense that will be his calling card.

“Defensive energy, I mean, that’s where I get my offensive game going. It’s all about want. Get after guys,” McBride said.

With a body built like a tank, McBride was a double varsity until he broke his leg during his junior year in high school. He focused on basketball, but his quarterback experience had made him a better playmaker seeing the floor like the football field. On top of that vision, football also made him tough.

That’s why when he was picking where to go in college, he was drawn to West Virginia. He fell in love with coach Bob Huggins trademark “Press Virginia” — a smothering pressure defense.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I played for coach [Bob] Huggins is to play defense and learn more from him. I feel like it’s just a lot about of want — just having that mentality that I want to play to play defense, I want to stop guys from scoring instead of you know [playing like] it’s just part of the game, and I’m just out there to play,” McBride said.

For McBride, that shot clock beating three-pointer in the clutch came a long way. He was always ready to take that big shot because of his long, tedious preparation that started in their backyard. Him becoming a Knick to play behind one of his idols, Kemba Walker, to play under Thibodeau, who is as competitive and tough-minded as his father and Huggins, is a dream come true.

“Honestly, it’s been a long journey, hard work, and dedication, so, signing with the Knicks, I’m more than happy,” McBride said.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks may have special young duo of guards after eye-opening Summer League performance

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knicks

The New York Knicks overcame Los Angeles Lakers 91-82 on Wednesday night at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Coming off a victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks backed it up with another solid performance, led by forward Obi Toppin and guards Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride.

Toppin has looked solid thus far, scoring 17 points in the win but also collecting 11 rebounds. This was one of his more inefficient performances, turning the ball over five times. However, he’s averaging 21 points on 41% shooting during the Summer League. He’s also posting 9.3 rebounds per game, ranking in the top 15 among players in Vegas.

However, the Knicks’ stand-out performers against Los Angeles were Quickley and McBride, who combined for 47 points. Quickley connected on 7-of-15 shots for 25 points, shooting 46.7% from the field, but only hit one of his six attempts from range. He did collect seven assists, building on his momentum as a point guard.

The jury is out on Quickley featuring as a primary shooting guard, which is likely his reality after the Knicks brought back Derrick Rose and signed Kemba Walker to shore up the PG spot. Quickley is proving he’s capable of leading an offense, which could lead to the Knicks entrusting him with the position down the road.

Fellow teammate Miles McBride also had himself a fantastic game, scoring 22 points on 78% shooting. He also connects on all six of his three-point attempts, showcasing his range, even hitting a buzzer beater as the shot clock expired late in the contest.

McBride was the 36th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, representing a player that head coach Tom Thibodeau fell in love with during the ladder portions of prospect evaluations. He is a quality defender that brings clear-cut shooting prowess to the team.

It will be difficult for McBride to crack the roster and earn minutes, but his emergence could lead to the Knicks cutting Luke Vildoza, who has a non-guarantee contract for four seasons.

If the West Virginia product continues to play like this, the Knicks could have themselves two young guards who are capable of contributing toward a winning season.

The front office has finally put together a roster with sufficient depth, and whenever rookies are contributing and making an impact in their first year, you know the coaching staff is doing something right. Quickley, the former 25th overall pick, and McBride, the 36th overall pick, represent two players who are already surpassing expectations.

Of course, it might be a bit early to get overly excited about McBride, but we shouldn’t overlook his capabilities, based on his stellar performance against Los Angeles.

Knicks News: Miles McBride signed to multi-year deal, Quickley taking on leadership role

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knicks, new york knicks, miles mcbride

When the New York Knicks drafted Miles McBride in the second round, they saw a stout defensive player with potential on offense. Having been selected outside of the first round, McBride is not eligible for a four-year rookie contract, instead signing a three-year deal with a team option in the third season.

The contract includes $2 million at the NBA minimum for first-year players and a team option for the third season. He will earn just $925K this upcoming year, keeping his monetary hit down, which helped the Knicks sign a bevy of free agents, including Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker.

McBride, though, has shown flashes of quality in the team’s first two Summer League games. He struggled in the first outing, but McBride posted 14 points on 71% shooting from the field and 66% shooting from range over 25 minutes on the floor against Indiana. By all accounts, McBride was stellar as a shooter and offered solid defense with quick hands and athleticism.

One of McBride’s bigger flaws is his abilities as a facilitator, picking up only one assist in the win over Indiana. As a primary point guard, he will have to work on his vision on the floor and spreading the ball to the playmakers, despite second-year player Immanuel Quickley focusing as the team’s top scorer and assist-man so far.

The Knicks have so much depth at point guard with Walker, Derrick Rose, Luke Vildoza, and Quickley, that McBride can ease his way into the NBA and transition smoothly. With so many quality mentors and leaders to work off of, his deficiencies can quickly become strengths with the right coaching.

At 20 years old, McBride is known for his toughness and tenacity on defense. That is one good way to get on Tom Thibodeau’s good side.

While McBride has been overshadowed by Quickley thus far, the second-year player is looking to be more of a mentor and leader for some of the younger options, especially for the West Virginia stand out.

“I’ve been around a year,’’ Quickley said. “I’ve been in playoff games. Just continuing to spread my knowledge to the new guys, the young guys. Obi and I are doing a great job understanding we have to help these guys and communicate.’’

In the win against Indiana, Quickley posted 32 points on 50% shooting from the field, including eight assists. The Quickley for point guard narrative lives to see another day, as his floater game was on point, and his vision looked far better after shaking off the rust in the loss to Toronto on Sunday.

This Knicks roster has so much talent to work off of, providing Thibs with multiple variations he can work with to take advantage of specific situations. With several high-octane scores and solid defenders, Thibs has all the necessary tools.

Knicks’ Summer League Notes: Obi Toppin producing, Miles McBride showing value early

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knicks, new york knicks, miles mcbride

Over two Summer League games, the New York Knicks have managed to extract a ton of information regarding some of their new players. First round pick Quentin Grimes has showcased his abilities as a three point shooter and defender, but some of the Knicks’ second-year players have stood out in the first two games in Las Vegas.

Of course, Immanuel Quickley, who is averaging 35 minutes, has posted 23.5 points. He’s connecting on 42% of his shots from the field and 26% from three, so while his shooting statistics aren’t anything to write home about, his second performance against the Indiana Pacers on Monday put his versatility and scoring prowess on display. He shot 52% from the field and 33% from range, scoring 32 points.

Quickley’s teammate, Obi Toppin, the 8th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, has looked like a different player thus far.

Two key takeaways from the Knicks’ Summer League games:

Obi Toppin showing off his growth:

Averaging 36.4 minutes over the past two games, Toppin has averaged 23 points on 44% shooting from the field and 31% shooting from three. He’s also collected 8.5 rebounds on average, showcasing his ability in transition and fantastic athleticism running the floor.

Having allowed 4.1 points per game and 2.2 rebounds last season, the second-year player is looking to bounce back with a far more productive campign. Ultimately, with Julius Randle dominating, Toppin was put on the back-burner and didn’t have a clear-cut path to starting minutes. As a primary power forward, he would sparsely replace Randle to mitigate fatigue, but he played the most minutes out of any prayer during the 2020-21 season.

It is evident over the first two Summer League games that Toppin is capable of producing offensively, but the team needs to play to his strengths. Pairing him with a point guard who demands attention and drives the lane. Quickley is so bouncy and fast in transition, Toppin can match up well. Also, Obi has enjoyed a few steals that lead to transition dunks, so being aggressive in the passing lanes is another factor that could help him improve.

Hopefully, he can string together a few more positive performances, as he seems far more comfortable to start the year.

Miles McBride will have an impact this upcoming season:

Despite being the 36th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the Knicks value Miles McBride and his defensive proficiency. If there’s any way to get on the floor with Tom Thibodeau as head coach, it’s to display adequate defense and produce turnovers. Averaging 25.5 minutes over the first two Summer League games, McBride has posted 11.5 points, shooting 53% from the field and 28% from range. He has looked good driving to the rim and using his massive wing span to interrupt passing lanes.

McBride is a capable three-point shooter and skilled defender who has plenty to offer in his rookie season. With active hands, McBride can offer value as an average scorer immediately but tenacious defender. Deuce is buried behind Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, and potentially Luca Vildoza, but with their injury concerns, I would be surprised if he didn’t play a healthy role next season.

Too Quick, Too Hot: Quickley lifts Knicks past Pacers in NBA Summer League

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immanuel quickley, knicks

After a jittery start to his first NBA Summer League, Immanuel Quickley got the perfect advice from New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.

“Just be yourself,” Quickley revealed.

And he looked like the Quickley that the Knicks have stolen with the 25th pick in last year’s NBA draft and was named to the All-Rookie NBA Team.

After a brutal 5-for-17 shooting in the Knicks’ 89-79 loss to the Toronto Raptors Sunday, Quickley bounced back strong with a game-high 32 points built around 11-of-21 field goals.

He was perfect six-for-six from the line and added eight assists against a single turnover. The guard out of Kentucky also had two steals in a solid game on both ends of the floor.

“Last game, I was kinda trying to find my way and get everybody involved,” Quickley said. “In this game, I’m kinda trying to do both but just a little bit more aggressive, help my teammates and be more of a leader.”

Quickley did much of the damage in the second half, dropping 23 points and six assists where the Knicks outscored the Pacers by 11 points.

Obi Toppin, who fed off Quickley’s point guard play, had another strong outing with 22 points and nine rebounds but had five turnovers.

Toppin started the game aggressively but a little bit out of control. He committed four of the Knicks’ 10 turnovers in the first quarter and missed three baskets around the rim, including a flubbed dunk in his first attempt. But once he got settled and played in the flow of things, the sophomore forward was a wrecking ball.

Two days after the Knicks lost to Atlanta Hawks in the first round, Quickley and Toppin were reportedly back in the gym.

“That’s what the Knicks culture is — working hard, enjoying the work, and getting better,” Quickley said. “We’re really excited for the Summer League team. We’re really excited for the next season. We just want to continue to get better and take the steps to move forward.”

The Knicks have prioritized getting Quickley more reps as a point guard in his first Summer League play. So far, the 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio had been impressive. He said he’s looking forward to soaking in more lessons from Derrick Rose and the newly acquired Kemba Walker.

Meanwhile, fan-favorite Jericho Sims stayed perfect in the NBA Summer League with an eight-point, nine-rebound effort. He was 4-for-4 from the field after going 6-for-6 in his debut. Sims, who signed a two-way deal reportedly for two years per Keith Smith of Spotrac, has been a revelation.

“He played phenomenal running the floor and catching lobs in traffic,” freelance NBA scout Tony Coleman told Empire Sports Media. “He’s playing solid defense on the other side of the ball. He’s definitely a steal in my humble opinion.”

Coleman is in Las Vegas for his scouting trip.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis, the Knicks’ 36th pick, finally made his Knicks debut contributing three points and one assist in nine minutes.

Jokubaitis, a healthy DNP in the Knicks’ first game, was given more run this time than Luca Vildoza. Knicks Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto even experimented with a three-guard lineup featuring Jokubaitis, Miles McBride, and Vildoza, who went scoreless in four minutes but managed to grab a rebound and one steal.

The Knicks’ first-round pick, Quentin Grimes, had another rough shooting game with six points on 2-for-10 shooting in almost 35 minutes. Matched against NBA Draft Day target Chris Duarte, Grimes committed five fouls. Duarte had a solid debut filling up the stats sheet with 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two shot blocks. The 24-year old Duarte played with so much poise and shot 4-of-8 from the field, including 3-for-7 from deep.

The Knicks’ other second-round pick, McBride, put an exclamation point to their win and his impressive game with a dunk.

With Thibodeau in attendance, McBride showed the toughness and tenacity that made the Knicks coach fall in love with his game. He scattered 14 points (5-of-7 from the field), three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

On Wednesday, the Knicks will return to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 pm ET on ESPN2.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo 

Knicks: A Kyle Lowry free agent acquisition could pay dividends for Miles McBride

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kyle lowry, knicks

Finding a solid veteran point guard will be a priority for the New York Knicks in August as they scour the free-agent market. With several options available, one who stands out is former Toronto Raptors PG Kyle Lowry.

While Lowry may not be a perfect fit with the Knicks, he closely resembles the 36th overall selection Miles McBride out of West Virginia. McBride has been compared to Lowry in the past, playing fearless defense but also elevating his team as a scoring option too.

“I definitely honored to have my playing style compared to Kyle Lowry,’’ McBride said on a Zoom call Friday, via Marc Berman of The Post. “I know he’s led the league in charges and I’m willing to do anything to win. That’s something I certainly can get behind.”

McBride is known as a tough player, featuring as a former high school quarterback and leader on the basketball court. Tom Thibodeau loved what he saw from McBride during the pre-draft process, as just several days before, he keyed in on him as a perfect fit to develop.

Last season with West Virginia, the 6’2″, 200-pound guard averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and shot 43% from the field. He also connected on 41.4% of his shots from three over 3.8 attempts per game. By all standards, McBride offers plenty of value as a defensive player first and foremost but also has tons of offensive potential that could be unlocked by good coaching and a solid veteran mentor above him.

Should the Knicks consider Lowry?

Lowry could fit that bill perfectly, coming off a solid season averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assessed, and shooting 43.6% from the field. He’s also a quality three-point shooter, hitting on 40% of his shots over 7.2 attempts per game. Learning from a player like Lowry would undoubtedly elevate McBride and his skill set, especially since he’s been compared to him in the past.

However, Lowry’s coming off what most would consider a down year, playing in just 46 games. At 35 years old, Lowry just finished a one-year, $30.5 million contract and could sign in that price range.

If the Toronto Star is looking for a one-year contract, the Knicks should consider jumping on it, as it would give them the ability to clear space next off-season in 2022 to target a younger long-term solution or star like Bradley Beal. As far as we know, having Lowry ahead of McBride might even help him become a starting player down the line, and opening up more cap space next season would be ideal.

Nonetheless, if the Knicks elect to go that direction, signing Lowry to help develop McBride while also having a solid defensive player and offensive threat at point guard would be a win-win situation.

What do you think about the idea of signing Kyle Lowry? Comment below!

Knicks: The perfect veteran point guard to help develop Miles McBride

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new york knicks, derrick rose

Just days before the New York Knicks selected West Virginia point guard Miles McBride with the 36th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, head coach Tom Thibodeau fell in love with his defensive production. With players like Sharife Cooper still available, the Knicks decided to go with McBride, who offers an immediate impact off the ball.

The West Virginia product averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and shot 43% from the field last season. From three, he averaged 41% over 3.8 attempts per game. However, one of his most underrated statistics was his steal rate, earning 1.9 per game, indicating sleight of hand.

McBride enters the NBA with the biggest hands in the draft class among guards, and he is the perfect youngster to develop behind an established veteran.

After the draft, McBride detailed his strengths entering the NBA, which attests to Tom Thibodeau’s interest prior to his selection:

“I definitely think my defense is going to get me (on the court) the fastest.”

McBride also stated in front of a crowd full of fans regarding teams passing on him until the second round, “Everybody’s going to pay for that; I promise you.”

If the Knicks are looking to shape McBride into a long-term solution, one point guard stands out as a perfect mentor for the 20-year-old.

Veteran Derrick Rose, who is coming off a fantastic season with the Knicks, is currently a free agent but desires to stay in New York. At 32 years old, Rose averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 assists, and shot a career-high 41% from range last season. He was a primary reason the Knicks made the postseason and secured the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. If there’s any description of a perfect mentor, Rose fits the bill perfectly.

However, recent reports have indicated that the Chicago Bulls are interested in potentially reconnecting with Rose, but the Knicks might be smart to bring him back on a one-year contract if he’s willing to settle (a two-year deal would also be more than fine if they front-load the contract). This would allow them to clear cap space for next season in search of a superstar while developing young talent at the same time. Rose served as a prominent mentor for Immanuel Quickley last season, who saw his floater develop exponentially as the 2020-21 campaign progressed.

“He just stressed to me — first of all he gave me his number — said anything I need just hit him,” Quickley said of Rose last season, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “But he sat down with me a little bit, me and Obi actually, just told us he’s here to help us, he’s here to help us grow and things like that. It’s good to get a chance to talk to him a little bit last night.”

“Deuce,” a nickname McBride earned during his days as a high school quarterback in Cincinnati, is not shying away from a challenge this upcoming season. The question surrounding the former quarterback is simply, can he be a quality play-maker? We know he brings defensive efficiency on day one and high-intensity play, but can he contribute as a facilitator and shot maker?

These are all questions that will be answered, but finding him a partner who can expand upon his talents is the priority. Rose simply feels like the most natural fit.

Knicks’ draft picks Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride have one major similarity

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miles mcbride, knicks

There are two skills you can never have enough of an NBA roster, and those are shooting and defending. The New York Knicks are looking to improve in both categories, as head coach Tom Thibodeau focused in on two specific athletes, Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes.

Both have one major similarities, defensive production and efficiency. Both played physical and high intensity basketball last season at the college level, and defense is one of the more translatable traits.

McBride has elite sleight of hand, averaging 1.9 steals per game last season and showcasing an ability to poke the ball free from handlers. He’s an extremely savvy defender with superior athleticism, but he’s also one of the toughest players in the draft.

“I see people ahead of him that I know he’s better than,’’ West Virginia assistant coach Erik Martin told The Post. “Some of those guys he’s outplayed when we played them. He’s 6-2, a former football player and a winner. He has toughness. He came in the door with that. Hopefully where he gets drafted is somewhere where he’d play.’’

McBride is not only a defensive talent, he also shot an impressive 41% from three-point last season, averaging 15.9 points per game. Developing him behind an established veteran will give him plenty of time to adapt and refine his talents, hopefully growing into a long-term solution.

McBride is a point guard, though, while Grimes features as a shooting guard who feels he can do far more than the perception of him during the draft indicated.

Quentin Grimes detailed his approach to the NBA and the perception of him ahead of the 2021-22 season, via SNY:

“I felt like just leading up to the draft when I had my workouts with them, I feel like it was a great fit. I know Coach [Tom Thibodeau] is a tough, hard-nosed coach, and then coming from [Houston] Coach [Kelvin] Sampson, who is also a tough, hard-nosed coach, I felt like it would kind of be a match made in heaven,” Grimes said. “Just that he’s gonna be on you…

“I feel like I was picked in the perfect spot. I feel like some people might say that I was picked too low, picked too high or something like that, but I feel like I got picked in the right situation. I feel like going to New York is going to be a match made in heaven.”

Grimes is an elite shooter, averaging 17.8 points per game last season on 41% shooting from the field. He also connected on 40% of his shots from range, averaging 8.3 attempts per game. His ability to drive the baseline and shoot with a fearless mentality will help him at the next level.

“I feel like everybody knows that I’m a high-level shooter. I’m a high-level defender, but I feel like I’m also just – kind of, people just label me as a three-and-D guy, but I feel like I’m a lot more than that. I can play pick-and-roll, make plays, create plays for myself and others, but I feel like I could definitely have an immediate impact shooting the ball at a high level for threes and locking down defensively. Those are two things that I really pride myself and hang my hat on.”

At 6’5″, 205-pounds, and a 6’8″ wingspan, Grimes has great size and length to guard multiple positions on the perimeter. He averaged 1.4 steals per game last season at 21 years old, and has some of the most active hands in the draft class. He’s solid at closing out shooters and contesting jump shots, something his size helps him with.

Expect to see Grimes play a similar role to Reggie Bullock next season, being more of an off-ball player who hovers into specific spots on the floor, predominantly beyond the three-point line. His excellent defense will contribute toward him being perceived as a 3-and-D player, but that is not a bad thing whatsoever.

Ultimately, the Knicks added two players who will contribute immediately on defense, but also have solid offensive potential. Depending on how the front office attacks free agency, we could see both of these rookies play a significant role next season.

The Knicks plugged two massive holes with brilliant NBA Draft execution

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miles mcbride, knicks

The New York Knicks clearly had a priority during the NBA draft, three-point shooting, and defense. Their selections are refined in both categories, specifically Miles McBride out of West Virginia and Houston stand out, Quentin Grimes.

The front office executed a flurry of trades, showing off their ability to work the system and add capital for the future. The team simply didn’t have the luxury of hosting four rookies next season, but with several players set to be utilized as trade pieces, the Knicks will likely have open roster spots for the taking.

In addition to several trade assets, the Knicks have upwards of six players hitting the free-agent market, so replacing them in some fashion was a necessity.

Knicks Draft Moves:

1.) Traded 19th pick to Hornets for future 1st rounder

2.) Traded 21st pick to Clippers for 25th pick and future 2nd round

3.) Traded 32nd pick to Oklahoma for 34th and 36th picks

Players selected:

G: Quentin Grimes, Houston

Quentin Grimes this past season:

-84th percentile in overall offense

-92nd percentile in transition

-86th percentile P&R ball handler

-70th percentile isolation

-72nd percentile off screens

-81st percentile on handoffs

G: Rokas Jokubaitis, Lithuania

-Combo guard

-Averaged 7.0 points per game in Euro League

-Faced off against good competition in Europe, showed signs of promise

PG: Miles McBride, West Virginia

-Defensively stout point guard

-Fits Tom Thibodeau’s system

-Solid shooter

-Biggest hands of any guard in draft class

-Shot above 41% from range last season

Taking a look at the biggest stand out traits:

McBride isn’t just a fantastic perimeter defender, he also shot 41% from three last season. He averages 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and connected on 43% of his shots from the field. He is a high effort player who fits Thibodeau’s system perfectly. Allowing him to develop behind a veteran, potentially someone like Derrick Rose, will give him the confidence and time to adapt efficiently.

Grimes, on the other hand, is a perfect 3-and-D player for the Knicks, who could be outpaced in the Reggie Bullock sweepstakes. Grimes averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shot 40% front range last season. Featuring on one of the best defensive teams in college basketball, you can see the trend beginning to form here with Thibodeau’s strategy.

They clearly prioritized defense with offensive upside, depending on their coaching staff to extract value over time. Grimes has Alec Berks vibes on offense but offers far more on defense than the veteran contributed last season.

Aside from the two American-born players, the Knicks also landed Lithuanian native Rokas Jokubaitis. As a combo guard who featured in the Euro League last season, he has experience against better competition, which should allow him to translate nicely to the NBA.

One of his biggest selling points is defense, with the ability to play on and off-ball. With solid ballhandling and diversity in the back-court, his versatility should contribute toward playing time. Most didn’t anticipate the Knicks going this route, but they are looking for guards with potential, and both McBride and Jokubaitis offer just that.

Knicks snag young point guard Miles McBride with the 36th overall pick, is he the future?

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miles mcbride, knicks

The Knicks have made a flurry of trades, but they finally found a young point guard to develop around in West Virginia standout Mile McBride. With a desperate need for a young player to develop behind a veteran, McBride fits the bill perfectly.

Marc Berman of The Post stated recently that West Virginia point guard Mile McBride was a target for Thibodeau, who saw tons of upside:

According to one league source, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was pushing for West Virginia sophomore point guard Miles McBride, who has been projected in some mocks as an early second-round or late first-round pick. It’s unclear at which slot Thibodeau would prefer to select McBride — No. 19 or 21 in the first round, or No. 32 early in the second round — but the 20-year-old impressed him in his Knicks workout.

McBride stands out in a few categories, averaging 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and shooting 43% from the field last year. From range, he connected on 41% over 3.8 attempts. His abilities on defense are also intriguing, averaging 1.9 steals per game, indicating solid vision and the ability to cut through passing lanes. He represents a low-key PG prospect who could develop nicely given the right opportunity.

Having traded back several times, the Knicks were lucky to snag him at 36, and with the biggest hands in the entire Draft class among guards, he is savvy with his handles and poking the ball away from offensive players. He’s a perfect fit for Thibodeau and his style — his upside as a defender and solid offensive production could represent a long-term solution at point guard for the Knicks.