2. Sense Of Urgency
This may be Cleanthony Early’s final chance to secure a roster spot on an NBA team. That may sound extreme, but the once coveted prospect has provided very little as far as production or signs of NBA-caliber play are concerned.
There’s simply nothing more valuable in a player than a sense of urgency—one birthed by a sense of reality.
No player is more dangerous in the world of sports than one who’s desperate to keep his job. Not everyone has developed the mental toughness to excel when faced with that type of pressure, but if Early has, then the results could be sensational.
With something to prove and an NBA career to lose, Early should come out with an unparalleled fire and passion in 2016-17.
Early has the physical gifts and raw skill set to be an effective NBA role player. Whether it takes a full season in the D-League, a few weeks, or multiple months, he should take this process seriously if he’s hoping to resurrect his career.
Early has the potential to be more than just an end-of-the-rotation player who gets minimal playing time. It’s all about how hard he’s willing to work.