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• Patrick Ewing Photo Gallery
Patrick Ewing, arguably the greatest Knicks player to ever hit the hardwood, was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in a rousing ceremony Friday.
The ceremony, broadcast live from Springfield, Mass., on ESPN Classic and NBATV, fittingly featured some extra Knicks flavor to it, as longtime Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen served as its master of ceremonies.
Ewing headlined a star-studded class that includes fellow legends Hakeem Olajuwon, former Knicks coach Pat Riley, Adrian Dantley, Cathy Rush, Dick Vitale and Bill Davidson.
"Like I've said before whenever I've been asked the question if I ever thought I would make the Hall of Fame, the answer is no," said Ewing. "I never really thought about it. I've been to the Hall of Fame numerous times growing up, taking tours of it, and I never thought one day I'd be in it, but it's great."
Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier, who was inducted into the Hall in 1987, believes that this honor is a fitting conclusion to Ewing's lustrous NBA career.
"Being inducted is the ultimate,” said Frazier. “Everyone wants to leave a legacy when you play, so to me, the team legacy is a championship, but individually, it is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Patrick saved this franchise. In 1985 he gave them the superstar they hadn't had since Willis Reed and myself. He truly saved the Knicks."
Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Ewing was the first overall pick in 1985 out of Georgia. His career got off to a resounding start when he was named Rookie of the Year in 1986. From there he never looked back in setting numerous team records over the next 14 seasons.
Ewing amassed 24,815 points, 11,607 rebounds and 2,894 blocks over his storied career. The seven-footer was the anchor of the Knicks teams from 1985-2000, before spending the 2000-01 campaign with the Seattle Supersonics and 2001-02 with the Orlando Magic.
"He's definitely deserving (of being in the Hall of Fame)," said former teammate John Starks. "Obviously what he meant to this franchise and its fan base is incredible, and his numbers speak for themselves."
Ewing was a seven-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-Defensive team player and an 11-time All-Star. "The Big Fella" is the all-time Knicks leader in total points (23,665), games played (1,039), rebounds (10,759), blocks (2,758), steals (1,061) and minutes (37, 586). In addition to his NBA accolades, Ewing was the 1985 Naismith College player of the year and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 1984 and 1992.
"I think his numbers prove he deserves it," said Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams, a former Ewing teammate. "He is one of the hardest working guys I've been around, and is a guy that was truly dedicated to the game. It means everything for him to get in. It's a place full of the elite players to ever play the game, so to be in that company, that means everything to him."
In the coming months, Knicks fans will have an opportunity to root for another Ewing, because the Hall of Famer's son, rookie Patrick Ewing Jr., was recently acquired by New York in a trade with the Houston Rockets.
However, for one more night, it was the elder Ewing who was in the spotlight for the tremendous feats he accomplished during his storied career.
 Patrick Ewing was all smiles as he was enshrined in the basketball Hall of Fame. Credit NBAE/Getty Images Patrick Ewing Photo Gallery |
The ceremony, broadcast live from Springfield, Mass., on ESPN Classic and NBATV, fittingly featured some extra Knicks flavor to it, as longtime Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen served as its master of ceremonies.
Ewing headlined a star-studded class that includes fellow legends Hakeem Olajuwon, former Knicks coach Pat Riley, Adrian Dantley, Cathy Rush, Dick Vitale and Bill Davidson.
"Like I've said before whenever I've been asked the question if I ever thought I would make the Hall of Fame, the answer is no," said Ewing. "I never really thought about it. I've been to the Hall of Fame numerous times growing up, taking tours of it, and I never thought one day I'd be in it, but it's great."
Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier, who was inducted into the Hall in 1987, believes that this honor is a fitting conclusion to Ewing's lustrous NBA career.
"Being inducted is the ultimate,” said Frazier. “Everyone wants to leave a legacy when you play, so to me, the team legacy is a championship, but individually, it is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Patrick saved this franchise. In 1985 he gave them the superstar they hadn't had since Willis Reed and myself. He truly saved the Knicks."
Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Ewing was the first overall pick in 1985 out of Georgia. His career got off to a resounding start when he was named Rookie of the Year in 1986. From there he never looked back in setting numerous team records over the next 14 seasons.
Ewing amassed 24,815 points, 11,607 rebounds and 2,894 blocks over his storied career. The seven-footer was the anchor of the Knicks teams from 1985-2000, before spending the 2000-01 campaign with the Seattle Supersonics and 2001-02 with the Orlando Magic.
"He's definitely deserving (of being in the Hall of Fame)," said former teammate John Starks. "Obviously what he meant to this franchise and its fan base is incredible, and his numbers speak for themselves."
Ewing was a seven-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-Defensive team player and an 11-time All-Star. "The Big Fella" is the all-time Knicks leader in total points (23,665), games played (1,039), rebounds (10,759), blocks (2,758), steals (1,061) and minutes (37, 586). In addition to his NBA accolades, Ewing was the 1985 Naismith College player of the year and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 1984 and 1992.
"I think his numbers prove he deserves it," said Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams, a former Ewing teammate. "He is one of the hardest working guys I've been around, and is a guy that was truly dedicated to the game. It means everything for him to get in. It's a place full of the elite players to ever play the game, so to be in that company, that means everything to him."
In the coming months, Knicks fans will have an opportunity to root for another Ewing, because the Hall of Famer's son, rookie Patrick Ewing Jr., was recently acquired by New York in a trade with the Houston Rockets.
However, for one more night, it was the elder Ewing who was in the spotlight for the tremendous feats he accomplished during his storied career.
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