Patrick Ewing: An NBA Great Without a Title
Patrick Ewing: one of many players to fall short in the era of Michael Jordan and friends
The '90s were a decade that seemed to catapult the NBA into a global brand and the 92 Dream team, which was packed with hall of famers had a huge impact on that.
It was also a decade where numerous teams fell short of that elusive NBA crown due to the greatness of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Drexler, Kemp, Payton all came up against his Airness during this period of time and fell short.
However, with all those players the legacy which they left behind had already been cemented with Sir Charles being regarded as the second-best player during that time and being an MVP in 1993.
Malone and Stockton are arguably the greatest pick and roll combo the game has seen, Drexler winning a ring with the Houston Rockets 1995 after being a part of the Blazers which the Bulls defeated in the 1992 playoffs.
Then the combo in Seattle of Shaun Kemp and Gary Payton with the latter winning a ring at the back end of his career with the Miami Heat in 2006.
The Glove and the Rain man
So what about that 7 footer born in Jamaica by the name of Patrick Ewing?
Coming out of Georgetown University and being drafted by the New York Knicks he was touted as the great hope for a franchise which hadn't won an NBA title since 1973. You always knew what you were getting out Patrick Ewing.
An elite scorer and defender who was supremely efficient without possessing the flash of some of the other great centers (Hakeem, Shaq and David Robinson spring to mind).
Not playing with another player who was equal to his ability may have been his downfall in the post season, as well as coming up against the Chicago Bulls numerous times in the 90's.
The Knicks and the Pacers were the only teams to take the Bulls to 7 games in that run of 6 championships in 8 years.
Both of whom were similar in the way they approached game - Physically overpowering the opposition in the hope it would give them the mental edge.
Being made the scapegoat on many occasions in and around the NBA for falling short is grossly unfair.
Ewing gave everything to the city of New York and had the Knicks got over the line it would have elevated Ewing's status further into the pantheon of NBA royalty (which it already is well entrenched into).
Sport is a cruel world and a slice of luck is sometimes what is required to get over the line.
Patrick Ewing’s Career Stats
11 x NBA All Star
Rookie of the year
21.8 ppg
9.8 rpg
2.4 bpg
These stats show he is one of the all-time greats who have taken the court in the NBA and anyone who is part of the greatest team ever assembled (the 92 Dream Team) is worthy of numerous titles, even if the one he wanted most evaded him.
Check out these profiles of more NBA Greats!
Wilt Chamberlain - The Big Dipper
Tim Duncan - The Big Fundamental
And check out our collection of over 100 basketball quotes!
