MILES AHEAD
McBride's rise may yield new PG conundrum
BOSTON — When this Knicks’ COVID-19 outbreak is over, there may be a new point guard controversy — just with different individuals involved.
Immanuel Quickley becoming the fifth COVID-19 positive Friday assures rookie point guard Miles McBride is expected to play another 30-plus minutes Saturday against the Celtics. If Derrick Rose sits out with an ankle sprain, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau may even have to lift his playing ban on Kemba Walker, who has been a DNP-CD for nine straight games.
But the issue is what happens when everyone is healthy. Earlier this month, Thibodeau made the move to Alec Burks, yanking starting point guard Walker from the rotation.
The COVID-19 infections — coupled by Rose’s ankle sprain — opened the door for McBride, the second-round pick who lit up Houston on Thursday night in a 36-minute gem as the Knicks beat the Rockets, 116-103.
McBride’s performance in Space City followed his decent outing against Golden State. In the last week, Burks was needed on the wing to make up for RJ Barrett’s absence due to COVID-19.
The Knicks record was poor with Burks as starting point, so Thibodeau may decide McBride needs some minutes in the rotation when it is status quo.
Rose had started the past three games at point guard but reaggravated an ankle injury in the first quarter against Houston and didn’t play in the second half. Rose may or may not be available against Boston.
McBride played the entire second half in Houston, and he may start Saturday, even if Rose is a go.
That’s how smooth McBride was as a quarterback Thursday and how tenacious he played with his pressure defense, picking up defenders at halfcourt.
“Every time I step on the court
I just want to impact winning,’’ said McBride, who had played just 33 minutes this season prior to Thursday’s bust-out performance. “That means, on the defensive end, I’m always going to bring it. Offensively, I’m just going to read what the game gives me.’’
McBride scored 15 points, hit 6 of 11 shots, including two 3-pointers, dished out nine assists with no turnovers and made four steals.
“He played a great game,’’ Knicks veteran Taj Gibson said. “He was real patient. He does everything he needs to do early in the mornings, the early group. He’s a student of the game.’’
Indeed, it’s no surprise McBride, the way he moved the ball, was a high school quarterback in Cincinnati. Thibodeau wouldn’t give him any playing time prior to Tuesday, and the organization sent him to the G-League for three games to play for the Westchester Knicks.
“I really wasn’t away from the team,’’ McBride said. “The guys are sending me texts when I’m playing, continue to work on this, continue to be great at this area of the game, as well as the coaches. I looked at it as getting reps and continue to sharpen my game.’’
Burks is not a natural point guard — nor a dogged defender — so eventually there may be another changing of the point guard.