NBA BASKETBALL |
May 2, 2002 |
Old Warrior Deserved Better
By CAMERON ZARGAR
When Patrick Ewing of the Orlando Magic envisioned a fitting ending to his career, he probably hoped to go out as a key contributor to a champion.
Instead, he went out on Tuesday as a non-factor (5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 33% from the field in the series against the Hornets) for a number five seed in the weak Eastern Conference.
To be realistic, though, it's unreasonable for a 40-year old center to expect to be the missing ingredient for a team that was merely average in last year's playoffs.
One of the greatest centers in recent memory and a New York legend, Ewing deserved better.
If Ewing wanted a ring, he easily could have jumped on the Lakers bandwagon. He would have played about 10 minutes a game, started while Shaquille O’Neal was injured and (most likely) attended the annual parade held outside Staples Center.
Looking back, Ewing must wonder if he could have impacted the 1999 Finals, when the miniature Knicks were exposed by San Antonio’s twin bullies. It was his last shot at a championship and he chose to sit with a torn achilles, rather than risk further damage which would have ended his career.
“The Old Warrior” would have taken up space and perhaps made Tim Duncan and David Robinson play more post defense (their biggest post-assignment was to now allow 6-7 Larry Johnson to dominate). But at the same time, his absence gave the Knicks the green light to speed up the game and expose the Spurs’ lack of athleticism.
Nevertheless, that was only one of Ewing’s best shots at a ring. He probably wants to forget his finger-roll that rimmed out against Indiana, or John Starks’ brick festival against Houston in the 1994 Finals.
Ewing, like QB Dan Marino of the Dolphins, will not only go out embarrassed in the playoffs, but also as a mediocre player whose age has gotten the best of him.
But he can’t be blamed for trying. Almost all of the great players from his era got theirs—Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler got theirs when Michael Jordan left, David Robinson when Tim Duncan arrived and Shaq when Kobe thrived.
While Knick-killer Reggie Miller and Charles Barkley, who simply had bad timing, are still without rings, Ewing’s shortcoming will perhaps be most stinging. He was a dominating player in his prime and the identity of the Knicks for more than a decade. Unlike Miller, whose talents are limited to offense, he was an all-around monster. Barkley didn’t remain loyal to one team the way Ewing did, nor was he loved by his fans as much.
Which brings up the question, why would his fans disrespect him so hideously once they sensed his decline?
Glen Rice didn’t make a difference, nor did Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley. By trading him to the Sonics, the Knicks sold out to their fans and showed a lack of appreciation for a legend.
For management, the answer is simply financial—if they wanted to keep Ewing around, they would have had to pay him appropriately, despite his advancing age.
As for the fans, well, New York befriends and hates with the blink of an eye. When you’re hot, you’re a hero. When you’re cold, and held responsible for failure, or overpaid, it’s time for a trade and unceasing jeers.
Ewing’s two years away from New York were such failures that he probably wishes he had simply retired rather than playing for Seattle.
But he’s a warrior, and it’s hard to tell a warrior to quit.
However, the bruises and scars over the years, both physical and mental, will probably be enough to push him into retirement.
An unfitting end for a player who gave it his all.
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