Miles McBride’s Cold Shooting Raises a Knicks Question

Miles McBride shot 1-for-5 from three against Washington. What his preseason struggles mean for the Knicks and why shot quality matters more right now.

Miles McBride’s shooting struggles against Washington gave the New York Knicks another issue to examine during an uneven start to preseason.

The guard finished the 111-109 defeat with six points and two rebounds in 16 minutes, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 1-for-5 from three-point range. For a reserve whose perimeter shooting can help balance New York’s offense, it was a night short on rhythm.

But five three-point attempts cannot establish a lasting problem. The more useful question is whether McBride is getting the shots the Knicks want him to take—and whether he continues making sound decisions when those attempts miss.

McBride’s Numbers Need the Right Context

A 1-for-5 night looks discouraging in isolation. It also illustrates how quickly percentages can move over a small number of attempts.

One additional make would have changed McBride’s three-point percentage against Washington from 20 percent to 40 percent. That does not erase the missed shots; it demonstrates why a single exhibition offers limited evidence about his shooting outlook.

New York should still review the performance closely. Footwork, balance and readiness on the catch are worth examining, along with the defensive pressure surrounding each attempt.

The missed shots are a reason to investigate execution, not enough evidence to redefine McBride as a shooter.

Shot Quality Matters More Than a Quick Verdict

The box score records the outcome of a possession without explaining how the opportunity developed.

An open catch-and-shoot attempt created by penetration is different from a hurried release against a closing defender. Both can end as misses, but they suggest different things about the offense.

For Mike Brown, the evaluation should begin with the opportunities New York generated for McBride. Was the pass delivered on time? Did he receive it in a position to shoot? Was taking the attempt the correct decision?

If the answers are positive, maintaining confidence makes sense. If the possessions repeatedly produced difficult looks, the solution must involve the lineup’s execution as well as McBride’s finishing.

The Knicks Need Him Ready to Shoot

McBride’s willingness to take available perimeter shots matters to the players around him.

A reserve guard who hesitates can give defenders time to recover and narrow the spaces an offense has created. Conversely, a player prepared to shoot forces opponents to account for that possibility.

That does not mean firing at every opportunity. The balance lies in recognizing a good attempt and taking it decisively, while moving the ball when a teammate has a better advantage.

A cold stretch should not automatically turn an appropriate shot into a pass. New York needs clear decisions as much as it needs improved accuracy.

His Overall Contribution Still Counts

McBride’s performance cannot be reduced entirely to whether his first few jumpers fall.

Brown must also evaluate his defensive work, his handling of pressure and the choices he makes within the offense. Those responsibilities provide other ways for a guard to remain useful during an inefficient shooting night.

That broader assessment becomes especially important in a competitive reserve rotation. A player who maintains sound habits gives the coach more reason to stay patient while the scoring fluctuates.

The challenge for McBride is to keep one difficult part of his performance from affecting the rest of his game.

What Would Count as Progress?

The next encouraging sign does not have to be a dramatic scoring outburst.

A sequence of balanced, well-created attempts would be meaningful. So would quicker decisions, effective movement into open space and continued engagement on defense.

Over a longer stretch, the shooting results will provide a clearer picture. For now, the Knicks have a limited sample and specific possessions to review.

McBride needs to find his rhythm, but New York does not need to rush its judgment. The priority is building the conditions for better shooting—and trusting good decisions long enough to see what follows.