Patrick Ewing, Hall of Fame bound, left indelible impression on Knicks

By Alan Hahn | Newsday • Published September 04, 2008

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The chapter on Patrick Ewing’s unceremonious departure from the Knicks in the fall of 2000 finally can be closed on Friday night, when the franchise’s all-time scoring leader and most recognized player goes into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The title of that chapter could be "They Still Miss Ew."

Eight mostly empty seasons after Ewing was traded to the Sonics to end a bitter divorce, his legacy only grows larger. He is recognized now more for what he brought to the franchise during 15 sweat-filled seasons than for failing to deliver an NBA title.

"You could see the void in the identity of what it is to be a Knick. I think that’s what kind of really what left with that era," former teammate Allan Houston said. "The identity of a Knick. You look at Patrick, that’s what he brought and that’s the thing — and you can talk about so many other variables — but that’s what I see that is still looking to get back."

Ewing, of course, goes into the Hall as a Knick. He joins longtime rival (and friend) Hakeem Olajuwon and former coach Pat Riley in a class that includes Adrian Dantley, Cathy Rush and ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale.

Ewing, an assistant coach with the Magic, will be joined by a large Knicks contingent, including one of the newest Knicks, his son, Patrick Jr., who came in a trade last week. Several of Ewing’s former teammates also will be on hand, including Charles Oakley, his longtime righthand man, who joked it might be the only way he gets to the Hall.

"It might be more than 20 years before they even think of me," Oakley said.

Ewing will be presented by John Thompson, his mentor and coach at Georgetown. Thompson declined to be interviewed because he said he wanted the focus to be solely on Ewing.

One could argue that the focus of the Knicks was gone once Ewing left. He was an 11-time All-Star who led the Knicks to 13 straight playoff appearances, and the streak ended in 2002, the second season after he left. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in scoring (23,665 points), rebounds (10,759), blocked shots (2,758), steals (1,061), games (1,039), minutes (37,586), field goals (9,260) and field goals attempted (18,224), free throws (5,126) and free throws attempted (6,904).