Knicks’ Small Guards Could Force a Big Rotation Decision for Mike Brown
Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado give the Knicks a rotation dilemma. Strong results alongside Jalen Brunson could strengthen their case for more minutes.
Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado could give the New York Knicks a compelling reason to keep smaller backcourts in the rotation. As Mike Brown evaluates his options, the question is how much playing time each guard can earn alongside Jalen Brunson—and whether there is room to use them together.
Their height creates an obvious talking point. Their previous performances offer another perspective.
As highlighted by Kristian Winfield, the Knicks posted strong net ratings when either McBride or Alvarado shared the floor with Brunson, both during the regular season and in the playoffs. McBride and Alvarado also produced encouraging results together, although those minutes represented a small sample.
That gives Brown something worth exploring as he shapes the rotation.
Why McBride and Alvarado Can Make Smaller Lineups Work
Brown believes the two guards’ toughness helps offset concerns about their size. His assessment suggests that evaluating these combinations requires more than comparing heights on a roster sheet.
For the Knicks, the encouraging net ratings are evidence that smaller backcourts can function within their system. They do not guarantee success against every opponent, but they give the coaching staff a reason to keep those options available.
The results alongside Brunson are particularly relevant. If McBride or Alvarado can complement the starting point guard effectively, their opportunities need not be limited to the minutes he spends on the bench.
That flexibility could help Brown adjust his substitutions and maintain productive combinations throughout a game. The challenge is determining which pairing best suits the opponent and the players surrounding it.
The Minutes Question Still Needs an Answer
The positive results from McBride and Alvarado playing together add another possibility, but the limited sample calls for further evaluation. A productive stretch is a useful starting point, not proof that the combination should become a permanent feature.
Preseason offers Brown an opportunity to test those lineups against different styles and assess where their strengths hold up. Bigger opposing backcourts could present different challenges, making defensive execution and support from the rest of the lineup especially important.
Neither guard’s eventual workload is settled by the available evidence. Their minutes will depend on performance, matchups and how Brown balances the wider rotation.
Still, McBride and Alvarado have given the Knicks reasons to look beyond size when making those decisions. If their combinations remain effective, Brown could find that two of his smaller guards deserve a larger share of the playing time.
