Knick Playa: 'Patrick Ewing Knicks Tribute'

Source:Knick Playa- I believe this is from the 1999 season when the New York Knicks returned to the NBA Finals.

"The Greatest Knick of all-time's career, captured in a special tribute...this has made several Knick fans break down with prideful tears...words cannot express the love, nor will it be forgotten, the love can only be felt deep within ones self...and that's where this video comes into play." 

From Knick Playa

I think the main reason why Patrick Ewing isn't remembered more as the great two-way player that he was, is because he was a gentle giant and such a nice guy who preferred to let his play do his talking, instead of telling the world how great he was and what the New York Knicks were going to accomplish under his leadership. Plus the fact he never won an NBA Championship which also doesn't help him. 

But from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, Patrick Ewing was considered the best center, if not big man in the NBA. Had the Knicks beat the Houston Rockets in the 1994 NBA Finals, I think he still would've had that title, or had the Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals after being up 2-0 in that series, before losing 4 straight, I think Patrick would still have that title as well. 

If you are talking about the greatest, not most popular, or the best centers in the NBA as far as personality, I think Pat Ewing has to be on that list. He's one of the best two-way big men, not just centers, but big men ever. I think only Hakeem Olajuwon would be better from their era. Ewing obviously has the great post game, but great shot blocker, as well as individual defender, excellent rebounder, great big game player. Great size and strength at 7'0, 255 pounds or so of muscle, great quickness, athletic ability. 

I think the Knicks were always just another great player away, especially a great swingman player away from winning the NBA Finals with Pat Ewing. Ewing always played with great role players, but never played with another great player on his team and that cost the Knicks against the Bulls and other great teams from the 1990s.