Miles McBride’s Growing Confidence on Defense

The Knicks are currently grappling with a notable weakness—Miles McBride is convinced that he can elevate his game to an elite level.

McBride stated simply, “I know I can be one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the NBA.” This declaration came after the Knicks secured a 123-111 win against the Clippers at Madison Square Garden. He expressed strong belief in both himself and the team’s guards: “I believe our guards can really push the team forward and get out in transition. We managed to do that in the second half, which was crucial for us.”

Historically, the Knicks have struggled with a reliable point-of-attack defender. This gap was glaring during a recent four-game slide when their defense seemed to completely fall apart. Mikal Bridges, who has had a tough time fitting into this role for the past couple of years, and OG Anunoby, typically shine as help defenders rather than keeping pace with quicker, smaller ball-handlers. Then there’s Jalen Brunson; his defensive weaknesses are well known, leading the Knicks to often look for ways to minimize his exposure against less threatening scorers on opposing teams.

Consequently, the Knicks found themselves unable to stop opponents from cutting into the lane, which sent their defense into disarray.

Yet, McBride has stepped up as the best candidate for the task. He joined the starting lineup when Josh Hart was sidelined due to an ankle injury, marking his most significant playing time in weeks.

Coach Mike Brown commended him, saying, “Defensively, he’s an excellent on-ball defender, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. He’s strong, fast, and a bit longer than you might think; when a screen comes, he knows how to navigate it effectively without letting the opponent gain an edge.”

Most of McBride’s responsibility involved guarding James Harden, who managed to score 23 points, yet only seven of those points came with McBride defending him directly. According to stats from NBA.com, Harden shot just 1-of-5 when McBride was on him.

McBride recognized Harden’s craftiness but also emphasized the need for physicality: “People don’t realize how physical he is. If we don’t counter that, he will take advantage of us, especially in scoring.” He added, “I take pride in my work, and I intend to give it my all.”

At 6 feet, 2 inches tall, McBride’s strength might surprise many. He certainly matches the Knicks’ physical defense.

On Wednesday, he received the honor of being Coach Brown’s Defensive Player of the Game. “Of course, James has a size advantage, but Deuce did an admirable job against him. You can’t completely stop him; you just hope he misses,” Brown noted.

McBride’s shooting proficiency has newly caught the attention of fans. Since returning from an ankle injury, he’s shot an impressive 47.9 percent from three-point range over six games, bringing his season average to 45.3 percent.

Initially, his defensive capability was his standout trait as he entered the league, coming from a college program under Bob Huggins that emphasized tough, on-ball defense. The spotlight may now be on his scoring, but for the Knicks, his role as a point-of-attack defender is absolutely essential.

His shooting and defensive skill set have turned him into a crucial two-way player in his fifth NBA season. His net rating of 10.7 points reflects the highest on the team.

Brunson remarked on McBride’s contributions: “He performs wonderfully. Whatever is required of him, he delivers. That’s simply who he is as an athlete and a competitor. He always strives to contribute his best.”