Miles McBride started a conversation about the cost of chasing individual greatness in basketball. He believes the current reward system pushes players toward individual success instead of team victories. 

“For a lot of guys not even drafted number one, maybe drafted in the second round, they can’t comprehend that mindset ‘cus they’ve been the best on their team, All-American in college, whatever you wanna say."

McBride further added, "To have that mindset of ‘I wanna win.’ I think a lot of guys care about winning, but not in the same sense of… honestly, I think it’s the NBA’s fault. We reward guys that lose and pay guys that lose, truthfully.”

McBride made these comments during a live on-stage interview with Jonathan Macri on the Knicks Film School Podcast at Fanatics Fest NYC. The in-depth interview was later released on Spotify around July 21. 

McBride meant that many athletes grow up being the best player on every single team they play for. This makes it very difficult for them to accept smaller roles once they reach the professional level. 

This criticism highlights a flaw in how the league operates today. McBride feels the NBA rewards scoring numbers, individual awards, and star status much more than players who sacrifice their personal game for the sake of winning.

He also noted that even second-round picks often struggle to change their mentality because their early careers were built around being the main scoring option.

He pointed out that players on losing teams can still receive max contracts and recognition, while essential role players on championship rosters often receive far less attention.

These statements came right after the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years. During the conversation, McBride praised Karl-Anthony Towns for adjusting his game. 

Towns accepted playing alongside Jalen Brunson, sacrificed his touches and overall statistics, and proved that this type of selflessness is what helps deliver a championship.

The story behind his criticism aligns with his own NBA career.

McBride's own path: From second-round pick to champion 

He was selected 36th overall in the 2nd round of the 2021 NBA Draft before joining the Knicks. He realized early on that he needed to play a reliable supporting role if he wanted to stay in the NBA long-term.

This was a huge shift from his time playing college basketball at West Virginia, where he served as a primary offensive option. He earned spots on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and the Second-Team All-Big 12. 

During his sophomore season, he posted averages of 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. 

His professional numbers support the point he made. Through the 2025-26 season, his career averages sit at 7.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game. However, he just posted a career-best regular season with 12.0 points per game. 

According to ESPN, he also contributed 5.6 points across 19 playoff games. While his statistics are not superstar numbers, his impact helped New York win the championship.

McBride also described the recent championship roster as one of the most likeable teams he has ever been part of. He credited the culture established under head coach Mike Brown. 

What do you think about whether the league's contract structure discourages unselfish basketball? 

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles! 

Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Utsav Sinha