Comments on: A Short Chat With Patrick Ewing

By: NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: How Will the Magic Hold Serve Against the Lakers? | The Starting Five

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:38:35 +0000

[...] it before, but there’s just no way the Lakers are this good in the defensive interior. Maybe Patrick was right when he said Dwight is getting beat the hell up inside. Why isn’t the same thing happening on [...]

By: MODI

MODI — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:24:02 +0000

cosign T3 and TC,

I used to fight the negative criticism on Patrick all the time. I hated that bullshit that he was slowing up the team. Only after he left did everybody recognize the real deal — which is the ONLY good thing to come out of the last 10 years!

T3, impressive G-Town list! But how are you gonna go ahead and remember Horace Broadnax but forget David Wingate!

By: TC

TC — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:48:20 +0000

Thanks for that interview Mizzo. I always appreciated Ewing’s determination. Like Temple says, he never had nearly enough help. It’s not surprising he always looked stressed and under pressure playing for the Knicks. But Pat always did his thing, hitting that mid-range jumper, getting his boards. Always held it down. It annoyed me hearing the criticism directed at him. Like what else you want Pat to do? 30 and 20? 40 and 30? Would the NY media leave him alone then? It was ridiculous. Anyway, I’m always glad to see him now as he looks a little happier and that’s well-deserved. And why not? Working with Dwight Howard would be gratifying for anyone, I would imagine. I can’t say I hope he gets a ring now, but if it wasn’t the Lakers, I’d be pullin’ for him. Again, thanks for catching up with one of the most unfairly maligned players of any time.

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:16:14 +0000

Mizzo:

That was very much appreciated. Well done.

Patrick was my favorite player for years — principally because of those Georgetown days with Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, Eric Smith, Ed Spriggs, Ralph Dalton, Bill Martin, Michael Jackson (not that one!), Horace Broadnax, Gene Smith, Reggie Williams, Michael Graham, Anthony Jones (before the UNLV bounce), Freddie Brown (it’s still all love), Perry “Mama Said Knock You Out” McDonald, and on and on.

I remember all of that stuff…the blocked shots to open the game vs. UNC in the SuperDome. Swat, swat! Swat, swat, swat!!! Get that WEAK stuff outta here son!! Even Silent Sam said, “Damn!!”

It is refreshing to hear people recognize the need for great players to have help in the chase for championships. The New York media and most fans were about 20 years too late in their recognition that Patrick didn’t have the elite offensive help that Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and every other champion had during their title years. (Sir Charles can relate.) Ewing bore the brunt of criticism that probably should have been directed elsewhere. He was always the first, second, third, last and best option on offense. In the playoffs, that a formula for disaster. It is a testament to will and determination that the Knicks did as well as they did during his run.

The Knicks didn’t have a monster inside-out game because they never had cash money outside shooters. They never had quality bigs who could finish above the rim. It was like management was trying to steal something. They brought in Derek Harper two weeks after his first AARP subscription. Charles Smith came after an injury. Larry Johnson came after an injury. Rolando Blackman gave up a year in Tahiti to help the Knicks. Same with Kiki Vandeweghe. Rory Sparrow? Hubert Davis? Trent Tucker? Troopers, yes. Money? No.

Oh well, it’s going to have to be enough to be The People’s Champion!

Given the circles of association, I’m going to have to root for the Magic to pull the upset and snatch victory from the jaws of Tinseltown’s favorites.

Thanks again.