New York Knicks Rumors: Cleanthony Early to backup Carmelo Anthony
By Josh Hill
The New York Knicks are looking at a season in which they aren’t expected to do much but could end up doing a lot better than we all think they might do despite how they are starting to look on paper.
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New York is still a mess, at least temporarily, but they have some pieces that look promising and could help the future arrive early as they step into big roles right away with the team.
According to NBA scribe Chuck Myron, the Knicks are going to rely heavily on the play of Cleanthony Early this year as he’s poised to become Carmelo Anthony’s backup at small forward, despite the fact that veteran assistance will be sought after.
"Second-round pick Cleanthony Early is on track to wind up as the backup to ‘Melo, although I’m sure Phil Jackson will at least look around for a veteran option to challenge for that role."
Early is already looking like he could be a big steal from this year’s draft, and working under Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson, as well as learning the ropes from Melo will only make him even more of a talent than he already is. Like most of the draft class, he’s a raw prospect that needs molding but he seems to be in the right environment to flourish.
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