December 30, 2015 was one of the most surreal dates in New York Knicks history. It wasn’t about what happened on the court, a front office decision, or a birthday, but instead a moment that could’ve been pulled directly from a Martin Scorsese film.
In the early hours of the day, second-year Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early was set up and shot in the kneecap.
The initial and rational response to Early being shot was fear for his life and career. Early has made a miraculous comeback from the injury, thriving as a member of New York’s D-League affiliate Westchester Knicks.