Knicks' Miles McBride opens up on offseason, goals entering Year 2 in NBA

Miles McBride is back in the gym, working out with other young Knicks at the team practice facility.

One of his goals for the offseason?

“Controlling the game, every aspect of the game,” McBride said Saturday at the Court Of Dreams Foundation fundraiser at Horace Mann high school in the Bronx. “As a point guard, I want to be able to lead guys. Even if they’re older, they got to be able to look to me and be able to say, ‘Hey, he’s in control of this game.’”

McBride is among a group of young Knicks working in the facility, including Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes.

“We’re just tightening up our game,” McBride said before spending time with kids at the event for Court of Dreams, a foundation dedicated to refurbishing basketball courts across New York City.

McBride will play in NBA Summer League with the Knicks in Las Vegas. He’ll also be working out with Knicks trainers and Juwan Staten Sr., his West Virginia-based trainer.

“Just tightening up my game as much as I can,” McBride said. “Obviously, every aspect of your game needs to be worked on in the summer, no matter who you are, so just continuing to raise my game up.”

McBride, the No. 36 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is a favorite of Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau said throughout last season that he loves McBride’s approach to the game and his work ethic.

McBride was active for 40 games in his rookie season. He also spent significant time with the Knicks’ G League club, the Westchester Knicks.

Depending on what happens in the 2022 offseason, McBride’s role may increase next season.

He said the organization’s message to him after the season was straightforward: just keep doing what you’re doing.

“Obviously being a young guy, it’s just about sitting and learning and being used to being in the league,” McBride said. “Continuing to do what you do, continue to get better.”

McBride, 21, is confident in his jump shot and his ability to create his own shot, two areas of his game to keep an eye on in Summer League.

“I just feel like the work I put into my game, I’m going to be able to go out there and make shots at any given time,” McBride said.

McBride has been watching the playoffs lately and mentioned on Saturday that he’s paid attention to lead guards like Jrue Holiday during the postseason.

“Guys that bring a toughness about them, and always just get scrappy and do whatever it takes to win -- I feel like that’s in my DNA,” he said.

That’s something that Thibodeau values and something the Knicks can use more of next season. That’s one reason it’s logical to assume you will see more of McBride in 2022-23.