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New York Knicks: Summer League Set Early Tone For Culture Change

By Jonathan Wagner

Jan 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Shane Larkin (3) drives to the basket during the game against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Jazz 103-81. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Shane Larkin (3) drives to the basket during the game against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Jazz 103-81. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jackson’s First Knicks Trade Looking Good So Far

Weeks before the Knicks began their work in Las Vegas, Jackson started tinkering with New York’s roster in the first of several major ways to come.

Most Knicks fans were simply happy to see underachieving pieces like Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton moved elsewhere and the addition of a better point guard in Jose Calderon from the Dallas Mavericks.

But two young players acquired through the same deal also shined in Las Vegas for New York.

Second-year point guard Shane Larkin averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.0 steals and just 1.4 turnovers in 27.2 minutes over the Knicks’ five Summer League contests.

He also made a game-winning floater to beat the Portland Trail Blazers by two points in New York’s second game and drew high praise from Fisher.

"“Shane was fantastic,” Fisher told Ballow. “In a lot of ways, he was our most stable and consistent performer in terms of being solid with the basketball, making the right plays, making the right reads. I thought defensively, he caused a lot of problems for every team that we played. “And that’s where he can change the game every time he’s on the floor. So I’ve always been impressed with Shane even before getting a chance to coach him. He was just great these past couple weeks and I’m looking forward to working with him when we get to training camp.”"

Mar 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) celebrates after cutting the net after the finals of the West regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Staples Center. Wichita State defeated Ohio State 70-66. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) celebrates after cutting the net after the finals of the West regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Staples Center. Wichita State defeated Ohio State 70-66. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Another bright spot for the Knicks wasn’t a direct acquisition from Dallas the way Larkin was. Yet Cleanthony Early, drafted by New York with the 34th pick (via the Mavericks) last month, also impressed Fisher.

Battling through a couple of injuries (to his ankle and a suffering a cut chin), Early averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 27.8 minutes, while showing glimpses of solid defense over four Summer League appearances. He also had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Knicks’ final Summer League game.

"When Ballow asked about the player who many labeled the steal of the draft’s second round, Fisher responded enthusiastically, “What we love about Cleanthony now that we have him is what we loved about him before we got him. And that’s just an enjoyment for playing the game, high energy, [being a] very skilled player, and we’re just excited about trying to work with him and help him get better.”"

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