Patrick Ewing Jr., the son of New York Knicks legend and Hall of Famer, will wear No. 6 for the Knicks. His father’s 33 jersey was retired by the Knicks in February 2003. The younger Ewing chose No. 6 because it was his father’s Olympic number. The elder Ewing also wore the number when he played his last season with the Orlando Magic. Another reason for picking the number was his favorite player, Bill Russell, also wore No. 6
Ewing Jr. was allowed to wear 33 at Georgetown since they do not retire numbers. As a junior, he helped contribute to the teams run to the final four. In his senior year, he won the Big East Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings 43rd overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was dealt to the Houston Rockets on August 14th as part of a multi-team deal. Two weeks later, the Knicks acquired for the draft rights to center Frederic Weis.
Knicks executive Donnie Walsh believes he can compete for a roster spot and previously tried to acquire Ewing Jr. on draft night. The Knicks are currently one player over the current roster maximum. However, Ewing’s chances will improve if team brass decides to move Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, or Jerome James.
If those players do not get moved, he still has a good chance to make the roster because of his athletic and physical ability. The 6’8” 240 pound forward recorded a 42-inch vertical at the pre-draft combine in May. He has a 7-foot wingspan and received one of two perfect scores at the 2008 College Slam Dunk championship.
6 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Paul Nuzzi 9 months ago
I hadn't heard the physical numbers on PE jr. Interesting. Important thing to consider is whether Malik Rose would be cut or not. His trade value to the knicks is limited since they don't want to take on further contracts. He certainly won't be resigned, probably deserves to sign with a contender after he is waved, and hasn't been such a leader in that the knicks still stunk these past few years. I can't image not waving Rose and James in order to keep Ewing Jr., even if he spends half the year in the D-league working on his offense. At 6'8" with a 7 foot wing span, he may be able to get backup minutes at the 4, but I'm inclined to think that Gallinari will get rookie minutes when they are available, and Ewing would benefit from 3 months in the D-league and then returning to the team in March for the last month.
As a Knick fan, it is nice to see another young player with upside. Being names Ewing is just an added bonus!
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
Patrick Ewing Jr......What a joke? They got him to try to put fans in the seat because it may bring back memories of a better time. When Patrick Ewing and John Starks were leading the team to the playoffs. It also won't happen anytime soon for the Knicks. Another horrible season is going to start for them.
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Tyler Wilson 9 months ago
they should give him 33
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Paul Nuzzi 9 months ago
Keepin in mind that real knick fans.. like all real sports fans.. don't mind rebuilding, provided it is done correctly. I for one think that Isaiah Thomas had them going in the right direction until the Francis trade and then the Randolph trade (Not that the Marbury trade was that great, and could be worse in a year or 2 when they have to give up another #1)
Even despite the Francis Trade, the 2006-7 team won 33 games despite a rash of injuries and a horrible loosing streak near the end of the season when Curry and Marbury were the only scorers. If they had built on that, instead of bringing in Randolph and crushing Curry, they might have won 38 games this past season, had more hope going into this season, and had no worries about cap space, as well as Channing Frye still on the roster.
Walsh seems to have his mind on the future, and that is all any fan can want. I will enjoy watching the game that i can b/c I'll want to see Chandler, Robinson, and Lee develope further. In the second half, I'll enjoy watching Danillo to see what he has... and I'll hope that the salary issues work out.
Will the Knicks be bad this year... I hope they win 30 games or less... but I hope they are competitive at the same time and always play close games. I hope they finish in the lottery this year, pick up another piece for the future in next years draft, and then have a nice 2009-2010 so that the pic that they have to give up that summer will not be a lottery pic.
Then, Lebron or someone else comes in and adds to the core. Maybe it will be Joe Johnson.. maybe D-Wade.. no doubt that cap money and a NY stage will attract someone if the Knicks are competing every night, which is a big key to the 09-10 season and the knicks future.
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
Still won't matter who you have on the team until they can try to unload money on a superstar like Wade, James, or Johnson....It may get them to the playoffs, but as long as long as Mike D'Antoni as coach there's no shot at the finals. D'Antoni doesn't care about defense at all and the Knicks should have known this because it's the reason he was fired. He refused Steve Kerr's request to concentrate practice on defense. Instead he went with offense. Like they really needed to practice on the offesnive side of the ball in Phoenix. D'Antoni also has some sort of thing about not having his superstar type players play defense at all too. So, will D'Antoni be the answer to returning to the playoffs or getting far in the playoffs? There's no chance of that!
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Paul Nuzzi 9 months ago
The D'Antoni issues are interesting. Read a great article that really clarified his system. Be a great offensive team, by starting 5 excellent offensive threats. Shoot before the other team can set their defense up when possible. Have a great decision maker. Only play your best players, meaning, only go 7 or 8 deep, rather than have your best guys on the bench much. Don't foul, thus keeping your best players on the court as much as possible.
Will 4th quarter defense be hampered due to not playing much the rest of the game?? Good questions.. but the guy won lots of games in Arizona.. so I'm willing to give him and Walsh a chance.
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