Knicks' Deuce McBride appears ready to take on larger role
Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. Credit: AP/Brandon Dill
When the Knicks arrive at Madison Square Garden for Monday afternoon’s game against the Orlando Magic, Jalen Brunson — listed as questionable — may be ready to play, sending Deuce McBride back to his familiar role of coming off the bench.
But it doesn’t mean there wasn’t value Saturday night when McBride got his first start of the season and put up a career-high 19 points, helping the Knicks to a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
With the trade of Immanuel Quickley to Toronto two weeks ago, McBride has gone from barely seeing the court early in the season to a role as the backup point guard. And for a night, he showed that the Knicks can rely on him for even more.
Not a lot was going right for the Knicks on Saturday without Brunson. The offense was disjointed as Julius Randle had a rough night as the primary offensive creator. Randle turned the ball over six times as the Knicks found themselves playing catch-up against the shorthanded Grizzlies, who were missing nine players and fielding a team that mostly had gained its familiarity with each other in the G League.
But McBride tried not to do too much, instead focusing on his two main values as a defensive pest and an increasingly confident scorer. He shot 7-for-10, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, handed out five assists and simply did his job.
“I knew if we wanted to win, I’d have to be a big part of it scoring,” McBride said. “Jalen obviously scores a lot of points for us . . . I felt like I could get the team an extra boost.”
McBride has long been a favorite of coach Tom Thibodeau for his preparation and ability to stay ready through the times when he rarely sees the floor.
“I mean, you prepare,” McBride said. “In the summer doing a lot of long workouts, a lot of running, just knowing at some point it’s a long season and your name is going to be called. So you’ve got to do whatever you can do to be prepared as much as you can.”
That is part of what attracted Thibodeau and the Knicks to McBride as a second-round pick.
An elite high school quarterback at Moeller High in Ohio, he developed a leadership mentality. When he opted for basketball at West Virginia under Bob Huggins, sharpening his work ethic and defensive mindset, he was a fit for Thibodeau and mature enough to wait his turn.
The day the Knicks traded Quickley, they rewarded McBride with a three-year, $13.3 million contract extension.
McBride played 38 minutes Saturday, never coming off the court in the second half as the Knicks erased a deficit and pulled away for the win.
“He just plays hard,” Thibodeau said. “He’s an elite defender. That’s been his strength. That’s been his calling card. He’s proven to be a really good shooter as well. He has a lot of confidence, really works hard on his game. So this is a great opportunity for him. Every time he’s been called upon, he’s been ready and he’s performed well.”
Notes & quotes: Orlando’s Franz Wagner is out for Monday’s game with a sprained right ankle. Wendell Carter Jr. is questionable with right knee tendinitis.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
