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New York Knicks 2015-16 Team Regular Season Grades

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and guard Jose Calderon (3) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrate during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and guard Jose Calderon (3) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrate during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks 2015-16 Team Regular Season Grades
Apr 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks guard Cleanthony Early (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleanthony Early

Cleanthony Early was a second round pick for the Knicks in 2014 and he has not yet been able to truly get his career on track. He missed a majority of his rookie season after undergoing knee surgery, so he was behind right off the bat. That is never good for a rookie, especially one that had so much adjusting to do coming from a mid-major and learning a new position.

Unfortunately for Early, his sophomore season did not go much better. Early was caught in the middle of a car-jacking and burglary, where he was robbed and shot in the knee. He had to undergo yet another surgery, and appeared in only 17 games for the Knicks. He received extended minutes towards the end of the season, and the results were mixed.

In 20 minutes per game in April, Early averaged four points and four rebounds per game. Early has not received much of a chance with the NBA team, but when playing in the D-League he dominates. In 10 D-League games, Early is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Those numbers make it seem like there is still some potential for Early to grow into a serviceable NBA player, but will it be with the Knicks? That is unlikely, as Early will be a free agent this summer and the Knicks will be looking to upgrade their roster. Early has shown fortitude getting back on the court this season after the shooting, but the Knicks could probably do better for their third forward.

Grade: C, But Incomplete

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