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New York Knicks Youngsters Lead Way For Win vs. Brooklyn Nets

By Kenneth Teape

Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) celebrates as Brooklyn Nets guard Markel Brown (22) reacts during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Nets 105-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) celebrates as Brooklyn Nets guard Markel Brown (22) reacts during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Nets 105-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks’ youngsters were given a chance to play against the Brooklyn Nets and the results were positive as it ended with a victory.

The New York Knicks were eliminated from the postseason earlier this week, as they will be playing out the stretch run with little incentive. It is something the Brooklyn Nets have been doing for weeks, as they are using the remaining games to evaluate their younger players. It is something the Knicks should begin doing as well, but there was some resistance from interim head coach Kurt Rambis.

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Rambis has said in previous days that there will be no changes coming to the lineup, as he was still trotting out veterans and giving them their regular allotment of minutes as if the Knicks had something to still play for. Eventually the veterans on the Knicks, led by Carmelo Anthony, let it be known that the younger players need a chance, making a plea to Rambis.

While it was forced a bit because of an injury to Jose Calderon, Rambis finally gave a start to rookie point guard Jerian Grant. It is something that should continue to happen the remainder of the season given the current state of the Knicks, but also because Grant responded in a great way.

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Making his first career start in front of the home crowd and against the crosstown rival Nets, Grant was fantastic. In 29 minutes, Grant scored 14 points, two short of his career high, with four assists and three rebound, also adding one steal.

Calderon is dealing with a deeply bruised quad, so there is a chance that he sits out the remainder of the season. The Knicks should use this as an opportunity to give Grant as many minutes as he can handle to determine if he can be their starting point guard of the future.

Another player the Knicks need to give an extended look to is Langston Galloway. He will be arguably the toughest decision the Knicks have to make this offseason when his contract expires. Can Galloway be a rotation guard on a good team?

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He certainly has flashes like a player that could, and he showed that against the Nets. Galloway stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 18 points off the bench with six rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. Galloway should receive a steady amount of minutes as well as the combo guard brings some versatility off the bench and has shown solid chemistry with Grant when the two share the court together.

While Grant and Galloway had strong games, eyes were on another one of their younger teammates; Cleanthony Early. Early has had horrific luck throughout his NBA career with injuries, with a gunshot wound to his knee being the most recent one earlier this season. There were some doubts that Early would return to the Knicks, but he was recalled from the NBA D-League in time for the game and found himself in the rotation.

Playing his first NBA minutes since December 23rd, Early made a positive impact on the court. He received 23 minutes, which is nearly as many minutes he played all season previously, which was 34. In his 23 minutes against the Nets Early also filled the stat sheet, scoring seven points with six rebounds and three assists.

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It was certainly encouraging to see Early back on the court with everything he has dealt with off of it, and he should continue seeing minutes as the season winds down. Expect to see more of Grant and Galloway as well, as the Knicks look to see which players could be used to fill out the roster for the future season and which can be building blocks for the team.

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