Has Miles McBride Officially Landed Spot in Knicks' Rotation?

Friday's win over the Orlando Magic hinted at a literal changing of the guard in the New York Knicks' rotation.

The New York Knicks are making a bigger commitment to their (Mc)Bride.

New York could probably be in a better spot on the Eastern Conference playoff bracket but there's no doubt that wouldn't be in the fourth spot without the efforts of Miles McBride. The third-year man and reserve guard has taken advantage of the extra minutes afforded to him in the wake of the Knicks' laundry list of major injuries expanding beyond his established reputation as a defensive stalwart. 

“He’s done terrific,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said of McBride's month-plus, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “He continues to get better. He’s played really well, he plays both sides of the ball. He’s getting valuable experience. He can play with Jalen [Brunson], he can play without him. He’s done a really good job.” 

David Richard, USA TODAY SPORTS

McBride's Knicks career has often consisted of dodging deadline imports in an effort to establish a lasting role in a professional rotation. He was more or less exiled upon Josh Hart's arrival from Portland last season and further jeopardy potentially loomed with Alec Burks brought back from Detroit and Shake Milton claimed off waivers.

But McBride perhaps fully convinced observers that he's worthy of NBA longevity with a stellar week that could break the stony heart of the most youth-avoiding cynic: McBride set a Knicks record by playing 47 minutes off the bench last Sunday when he came in for the injured Jalen Brunson and scored 16 points in an emotional victory that could perhaps come to define the season. McBride didn't forget his first love, as he also played strong defense on Cleveland headliner Darius Garland.

Amidst concerns about his spot, there's statistical evidence of the Knicks finally offering McBride his just desserts: he got the starting nod when Brunson was unable to go on Tuesday against Atlanta and earned 20 minutes in relief whereas the struggling Burks was relegated to five in Friday's win over Orlando.

To put McBride's promotion into context, it previously took him a dozen games to reach 47 minutes at the start of this season.

“I’m glad Coach trusts me to be playing me those minutes," McBride said in another Bondy report after his starting five appearance against the Hawks on Tuesday. "Honestly, I feel fine. I think I’m more mad about losing than worrying about how my body feels."

“I don’t even think about (fatigue). This is what I’ve wanted, to be guarding the best player and to be playing point guard at a high level. This is what I’ve wanted my whole life. So I’ve done whatever I can to prepare for it.”

McBride Goes Extra Miles For Knicks After Brunson Injury

While Thibodeau has garnered a reputation for overworking his starters, McBride's services as a depth star could wind up becoming a vital x-factor as the Knicks seek a lengthy playoff run: during last year's postseason run, for example, Brunson was one of six playoff participants to play at least 40 minutes a game. His total of 443 was the fourth-highest among those eliminated before the conference final round.

Further evidence of McBride's promotion proving permanent could emerge on Sunday when the Knicks open a doubleheader against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN).