Knicks require the classic performance from Miles McBride and Landry Shamet

McBride and Shamet: Key Players for the Knicks

Miles McBride and Landry Shamet share a lot of similarities. They’re both vital bench players for the Knicks, alongside Mitchell Robinson. Plus, they stand out as some of the team’s top 3-point shooters and defenders on the ball.

Interestingly, they can handle point guard responsibilities if the situation calls for it, even though that’s not their primary role. However, both players faced challenges before the regular season wrapped up.

Shamet, for example, struggled with his 3-point shooting, posting a mere 30.4 percent accuracy in 16 games from early March through the end of the regular season. He was also sidelined for five games due to a knee issue. On the other hand, McBride missed 28 games because of sports hernia surgery. After returning, he shot 35.7 percent from beyond the arc in the six games he participated in. His shooting before the final game was disappointing—he was 6-for-21—before finally going 4-for-7 in that last outing. This drop-off in performance was a stark contrast to their overall season stats, with McBride ending at 41.3 percent and Shamet at 39.2 percent.

Coach Mike Brown weighed in on the pair’s potential after practice, stating, “It’s just a matter of them getting into a flow. In their last game, they improved their shooting. We believe in them as shooters, and they believe in themselves, so we want them to let it fly.”

Both players have the ability to provide the Knicks with a significant edge in their matchup against the Hawks off the bench. However, if their recent struggles continue into the postseason, it could be a blow for the Knicks, favoring the Hawks.

McBride, in particular, is eager for redemption. The Knicks faced tough times in last year’s conference finals, where they lost to the Pacers in six games, only managing to make 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) from three-point range throughout the series.

Shamet didn’t see much action in the initial playoff rounds but stepped up in the conference finals, going 7 for 13 (53.8 percent) during that crucial series.

Reflecting on the playoffs, McBride noted, “This is the fourth year [in the playoffs]. If you don’t win a championship, you should head into the summer with that ambition. For me, each year without a title motivates me to build on what I’ve learned and aim for a championship. It’s not just about me; it’s for this city, my teammates, the staff that supported me all year, and everyone working behind the scenes.”