With Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges Faltering, Is Deuce McBride Knicks’ Answer to Spacing Challenges?

In their losing season opener against the Celtics, Miles “Deuce” McBride emerged as a spark for the Knicks, showcasing his potential as a solution to the team’s spacing woes. New York suffered a historic night, with the Boston Celtics draining 29 three-pointers, shattering their franchise record and making NBA history. The previous record was 23 three-pointers, set by the Charlotte Hornets on opening night in 2019.

Despite the Knicks shooting over 55% from the field, they struggled from deep, making just 11 of their 30 three-point attempts. Their starting lineup shot 4 of 17 from beyond the arc, with the sole bright spot in New York’s box score being McBride.

Coming off the bench, Deuce made 4 of his 5 three-point attempts, finishing with 22 points and 2 assists in 26 minutes of game time. If this performance on Monday night is a sign of his potential, the 24-year-old can be expected to play an increasingly larger role for the new-look Knicks.

This is critical given New York’s spacing challenges after offseason moves that saw the team part ways with key players. Along with Julius Randle and a 2025 first-round pick, the Knicks traded Keita Bates-Diop and Donte DiVincenzo to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) from the Minnesota Timberwolves. DiVincenzo’s absence was particularly felt, as last season, he was the second-best catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc, knocking down 40.7% of his three-pointers while attempting 7.3 field goals per game, behind only Lauri Markkanen at 7.4.

While KAT shot over 40% from deep last season, he only attempted 5.3 field goals from beyond the arc. As the Knicks head into the 2024-25 season, floor spacing looms as a major factor if the team hopes to contend for the NBA championship.

Their other summer acquisition, Mikal Bridges, is a career 37.5% shooter from deep. But fans couldn’t help but notice how different his jump shot has looked since being traded to the Knicks. His release point has shifted way behind his head, and Bridges barely gets off his feet when shooting from deep. The result was that Bridges made just 2 of his 7 three-point attempts on opening night.

Meanwhile, Josh Hart, the newest starter in New York, also seems to be struggling after his fiery showing during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He shot 37.3% on his 4.5 three-point attempts during the postseason, up from his regular-season efficiency of 31%. As a starter, he was expected to continue this improvement, but he went 0-of-2 from deep in the opener. The 29-year-old was frequently left open on the perimeter by the Celtics’ bigs. The rust was apparent throughout the Knicks lineup, as OG Anunoby, a career 37.5% shooter, also failed to drain a single three-pointer.

Amidst the growing pains for their new-look roster, McBride has the opportunity to prove his mettle to coach Tom Thibodeau and secure a solid role in the Knicks lineup. Let’s consider the value the fourth-year guard could bring to a franchise with championship aspirations.

Deuce McBride has the potential to be an elite three-level scorer

Re-signed in January to a three-year, $13-million deal, McBride’s team-friendly contract could ensure that he becomes a consistent part of the organization as they ramp up their attempts to end their 51-year championship drought in New York.

After playing fewer than 12 minutes per game during his first two seasons, Deuce played in 68 games for the Knicks last season and earned 19.5 minutes of playing time per game. Shooting 41% from deep during the regular season earned him Thibodeau’s trust, as the coach bumped McBride up to 26.7 minutes during the playoffs, where he scored 11 points on 44% shooting.

The 6’2 point guard boasted a three-point attempt rate of 58.6% during the 2023-24 season, displaying the ability and confidence to let it fly from deep. That skill set was on full display during his bench minutes against the Celtics.

Miles McBride impressed during the second quarter by shaking off Jrue Holiday – no easy feat in itself – and knocking down a step-back three to score the Knicks’ 33rd point.

His footwork and fluidity as a ball-handler allow him to seamlessly transition from dribbling the ball to bringing it to his shooting pocket. Alongside Cameron Payne, he seems more than qualified to handle New York’s back-court responsibilities off the bench, and his catch-and-shoot game is nothing to sneeze at either.

He converted 42.2% of his 2.8 three-point attempts off the catch last season, allowing him to function both as a primary ball handler and as an undersized shooting guard. McBride is flashing all the signs that he can become an elite spark plug in the NBA.

During the Knicks’ season opener, he made shots from all three levels, displaying a proficiency in the mid-range that was missing from his game last season. He drained two shots from 15-19 feet and one from 10-14 feet from the basket.

If the 24-year-old can maintain that sort of production throughout the season, he could be a dark horse candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. After all, it wasn’t just his offense that initially earned him minutes in New York.

McBride’s 6’8 wingspan makes him an excellent disruptor on the defensive end, and he was projected to have the ceiling of Kyle Lowry before the 2021 NBA Draft. His ball-hawk mentality and sturdy frame enticed OKC to pick him with the 36th pick, and last season, with more minutes to his name, Deuce lived up to those expectations.

With his surprising strength, nimble feet, and high basketball IQ, McBride frequently reads the opponent’s pick-and-roll actions like an open book, turning potential openings into highly contested shots. He has a real knack for navigating screens and fighting through contact, something that Mikal Bridges particularly struggled with in the Celtics’ game.

The Knicks’ season-opening performance displayed glaring holes in their lineup. But Miles McBride unequivocally proved that he can provide much-needed value to the team on both ends of the court. His defensive intensity, along with the strides he has taken as a shooter and playmaker, should be enough to earn Thibodeau’s trust and see him playing over 25 minutes per game this season, cementing his position as a pivotal player in the Knicks’ lineup.