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| Wednesday, August 30 Updated: August 31, 12:03 PM ET Users mixed on Ewing, Knicks' chances ESPN.com |
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Is anyone in New York not a Patrick Ewing fan? We received more than 1,500 e-mails about the Knicks and the Team Offseason Spotlight we wrote on them and an overwhelming majority of comments were pro-Ewing. The responses dealt with the fact that Ewing is a legend, can still produce numbers and is the best low-post threat the team has. All good points. Other Knicks were not treated as kindly by our users, including Chris Childs, Larry Johnson and team management.
Either way, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Knicks and our Team Offseason Spotlight. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
The Knicks should be ashamed of themselves. They are trying to trade Ewing, the heart and soul of the team. Critics say he has not won a championship for the team. What has the team done for him? His whole career (except for the last two years) he has been a one-man team. The Knicks never seriously went after top-notch talent before Sprewell and Houston came along. Larry Johnson is just a shell of his old self. They still don't have a point guard or power forward. If the Knicks trade Ewing I think it will have a negative effect on the team morale as a whole. I think the Knicks are definitely a better team with him. How will they have any hope of stopping the Lakers, Houston, and San Antonio with no big man? Eddie Thurman Cincinnati, Ohio
The whole Ewing mess has masked the true deficiency on the Knicks -- power forward. LJ is terrible and must not start any longer. He is the biggest reason that the Knicks are not a championship-caliber team. Let him and his big contract go and move on. He is a role player at best. Jim Miranda Philadelphia
Yeah, the Knicks may be an older team, but like it was stated, they are a very talented older team. Patrick Ewing has been there his whole career, he is the only constant on that team. Sure, he has had his injuries, but what big man hasn't. The center position really isn't the major problem in New York, it is the point guard position. Get a PG that can get it down low without hesitation, shoot the ball with consistency and spot up and they would be a much better team. It has been proven that Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell can play together on the court at the same time. If LJ can stay healthy, he can still be a presence at the PF position. If Marcus Camby masters some form of work ethic, he can be an effective player. Rick Cashman Berwick, Pa.
The Knicks will never win a championship because of poor personnel decisions year in and year out. For instance, they've needed a true small forward since Bernard King played for them. What did they do to fill the void? Nothing. They've desperately needed a point guard, and what have they done to address the need? Sign pint-sized point guard Chris Childs in a conference chock full of big point guards (Penny Hardaway, Ron Harper, Mark Jackson to name a few). They draft scrubs like Frederic Weis in the first round. They had players like David Wingate, Chris Dudley, Andrew Lang, J.R Reid ... players like this in New York? Management is truly to blame when looking for a main reason as to why the Knicks haven't won a championship. Maybe George Steinbrenner should own the Knicks. People may not like him, but he doesn't tolerate incompetence, and his World Series titles speak for that. Sean San Diego, Calif.
I honestly do not understand the lack of focus that the Knicks organization puts on the weak positions. We need a solid power forward willing and able to not only pound and bruise inside but also capable of getting out in the open floor to create fast break opportunities. Larry Johnson needs to come off the bench, especially if we are going small with our weak forward with Sprewell. I believe Sprewell can handle that position but we can't go small in both forward positions and expect to win. The competition is not getting any weaker and certainly not any smaller. Anthony Berrios Provo, Utah
I think it depends on who the Knicks are playing to determine if they are better with Patrick or not. They don't beat Miami without him, but they are 5-1 against the Pacers without him and 1-5 with him. In some cases it really doesn't matter if he is there or not, they will either win or lose because they aren't good enough yet. With or without Ewing the Knicks do not have what it takes to beat the Lakers or the Spurs (with Tim Duncan). However I think the best shot of the Knicks to win a championship is to get rid of Ewing's big contract no matter what it takes. They can free up money, and make a concerted effort at Chris Webber. The Knicks' biggest problem isn't getting to the Finals. The only way to counteract Shaq and Duncan is to have your own big guy who can dominate a game. John Coscia Lindenhurst, N.Y.
I think Eric has got it all wrong. Larry Johnson is an excellent forward and should be a starter on the Knicks. Sure, he doesn't put up numbers that would lead you to believe he was a starter, be there are two very good reasons for that. Jeff Van Gundy is an excellent coach and I think he believes that Larry's heart is what makes him such a good player. Johnson's intensity is just what the New York crowd needs to get into the game and therefore be the X-factor that teams dread about when they come to New York. Another reason Johnson doesn't put up excellent numbers is because the Knicks have two of the top five shooting guards on the team and they seem to take the majority of the shots. Now of course this is just an opinion, like yours, but I believe you have Larry Johnson all wrong about not starting on this Knicks team. Adam Bauer Springfield, Mo.
In my opinion the Knicks made two huge mistakes with their last two draft picks. Last year they passed up Ron Artest and Tim James to draft the French equivalent of Shawn Bradley, and it seems as if he will never play a single game for the Knicks. Even if those players didn't fit they could have packaged them to get some help down low. This year they drafted a great young talent in Donnell Harvey. It seemed to me that he could have offered the help they need underneath the basket, but in another brilliant move they sent him packing and added another average guard to their already lackluster backcourt. It seems to me that the Knicks passed up some great opportunities to improve their team. Matt Riordan Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
I beg to differ with your stance on Patrick Ewing. There is no question that the Knicks, in their current state, are better with him. This is a man, who despite war torn knees, will still give you 15 points and 10 rebounds a night. Last I checked, lack of rebounding cost the Knicks the Indiana series, as Dale Davis pounded them on the boards. The Knicks are in need of rebounding, and like it or not, numbers don't lie. Ewing gives them that, and also provides a low-post presence in the lane. Without that, they lose one of two important items; the first being a consistent rebounder, and second, of equal importance, a 15-year Knick who has given his heart and soul to his team. Like him or not, he doesn't get paid for you to like him. He gets paid to play basketball. Karen Great Neck, N.Y.
Jeff Van Gundy is the MVP of this team, and should be mentioned as a coach of the year candidate more often. He took a team with basically no All-Stars and several average-to-mediocre players and created a 50-win team that almost made it to the Finals. The Knicks likely are going into this year with Ewing at center, but this team will not do any better than last year. The players are all too old to improve, and their teamwork and intensity cannot get any better. Even so, they should be good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs, and may even earn the right to lose in the Finals. Too bad that won't be enough for the New York fans. Joseph Carter Summit, N.J.
This Knicks team is no longer going to cut it. The Knicks have gotten breaks the past few years, because of Miami's horrible play in the playoffs. But the fact of the matter is, Miami has had a better regular season record than the Knicks for four straight years now, and have traded away the two players that may have choked the most in the playoffs (Brown and Mashburn). If the Knicks are to have any chance this year to finish better than fourth place in the Eastern Conference, they must trade Patrick Ewing for a center or a point guard that can actually play. Ewing should have retired last year and will not put up good numbers this year with the Knicks, but I guess the problem lies in trying to find anyone that would want him. If the Knicks can pull off a deal and make it to the Finals, they should give their GM and coach huge raises. But don't count on it even if they do make a trade. Bryan Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The Knicks are not going to go anywhere with Patrick in the middle. I'm not sure whether Vin Baker would have improved the team (that's moot now), but I am certain that if the Knicks continue to rely on the same staid offense they've employed since the cavemen discovered fire, they'll be eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, if they're lucky. Pounding the ball inside so Patrick can take that ugly 15-foot baseline jumper, and waiting for LJ, with his half-inch vertical, to grab the offensive rebound is too painful to watch. No wonder Jeff looks like he's losing more hair with each passing game. The time has come to clean house, and the Knicks should start with the front office, which apparently is more incompetent than Chris Dudley at the foul line. It's a sad day in NY when the team that plays in the swamp has brighter future ahead of it. Terence Woolf New York City
The fact that the Knicks were willing to shop Ewing (who moves about as well as Robert Parish) to obtain the more athletic Vin Baker and Horace Grant shows that the team knows its strengths extremely well. While the Knicks have a reputation for playing post-up, physical basketball, the Knicks are at their best when they are in the open floor, with Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell guiding the offense. Although the Knicks were better in regular season games with Ewing rather than without him, the only season that matters is the playoffs. Zach Wells Denver, Colo.
The only reason the New York Knicks have been in the playoffs for so long is Patrick Ewing. Since he was drafted out of Georgetown the media has expected nothing less than a championship. Is it possible that people can be impressed by the fact that he carried a team for so long and contributed to so many great moments. He has had to battle the Celtics in the 80's and the Bulls in the 90's. Both of those teams have been considered some of the better teams of all-time. Why does the media always seem to dog legendary athletes towards the end of a great career? It is the same story every time. We sports fans recently seen the same thing happen to Dan Marino the last few years. It is a fact that all people will eventually slow down as they become older. I really wish people would leave Patrick Ewing alone ... he's a true legend. Scott Calhoun Springfield, Mo.
I believe that the Knicks require a change in the point guard position to be more effective as a team. For the past years it's been obvious that Ewing has not been the first option offensively with Sprewell and Houston handling most of the team's offensive game. Yet, Ewing remains essential not only as a third option offensively but also defensively to guard dominating centers such as Alonzo Mourning, O'Neal, Robinson, Duncan, etc. A point guard like Tim Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Damon Stoudamire or Stephon Marbury would help this team achieve championship goals while using either Childs or Ward as a backup. Juan Cordero San Juan, Puerto Rico
As a diehard Knicks fan and New York transplant living in the heart of Lakerland, feelings of jealousy overwhelm me. However, I honestly believe that the Knicks are loaded with talent and an excellent coach. Knicks fans are unique, knowledgeable and loyal, though sometimes unforgiving. The Knicks need to play to their full potential. I do not want to see them make any moves. Without Patrick, who is supposed to hold Shaq to under 40 points in the Finals? Hopefully, Marcus Camby will avoid injuries and finally come into his own. I see big things for the Knicks this year. At least, I hope. If nothing else, at least they play in the most extraordinary arena in the world. Jeremy Ezra Torrance, Calif.
I agree with the article. The Knicks need a real "starting" frontcourt. Ewing could play the role he played last year, when he was a team player blocking up the middle and hitting the tough shots when they pound it down low. The bigger problem is that Sprewell and Houston play the same position. I was never a Spree fan before but after watching his play the last three years, he is invaluable to the team. I like Houston, but unfortunately he doesn't seem to want to step up. They may have to give him up along with Childs and go for a top point guard. Keep Ewing. Freddie Los Angeles, Calif.
Great article, Eric. Being a transplanted New Yorker living here in Atlanta, I've followed the Knicks every season for the last six years. What sticks out to me is something that you mentioned; this team is too old! Larry Johnson is a decent bench player, not a starter. Ewing's body is about to just fall apart one day, but I think the Knicks would be better off with him than Baker. One of their younger guys, Marcus Camby, can be as dominating a forward as he was at UMass, but has just shown glimpses of his true talent. Kurt Thomas has been a bust since he got here, unless you count the number of times he's manhandled and headlocked other forwards. Chris Dudley and David Wingate are bench warmers. And we won't discuss the point guard situation (can someone put Chris Childs out of his misery, please?). Heck, why not give Rick Brunson a try! He looked pretty good distributing the ball in the summer leagues this year (hint, hint). With Miami and Orlando improving greatly and the Pacers bringing their team back for the upcoming season, the Knicks need to make some moves -- and quickly. They probably will make the playoffs, but if they are matched up with the Heat this time, the outcome will probably be different with Pat Riley making sure of that! Sean Vasconez Atlanta, Ga.
I agree with you on just about every point. It's unfortunate that Ewing gets a lukewarm reception in his hometown. New Yorkers expected him to be the next Wilt. With such high expectations, some have looked at what Ewing wasn't, not what he has been. Meanwhile, Chris Childs is easily the Knicks LVP. After signing to a bloated contract, he asked to be taken out of the starter's role. He's a hot and cold shooter and really doesn't contribute much as a point guard. Your assessment of Camby (no post moves), Thomas (an Oakley clone), and LJ (should be coming off the bench) are dead on. I feel that the Knicks should trade Ewing, if only to change the look of their team and to get him somewhere that he'll be respected. Mike K. New York City
Once again the Miami Heat have surpassed the New York Knicks in offseason trades. They should have put the same energy in the Grant trade from the Blazers as they are in the Ewing trade to the Sonics. Whether the Ewing trade happens or not, it's the same old story; the Knicks let good deals slip by, and then make consolation deals/trades to try and keep up with their rivals. The Knicks also let a few great coaches and great players slip through their fingers over the years. No matter what, I'll still be a Knick fan until the end. That means paying for overpriced seats, hoping they can get to the Finals again some time this century and waiting for management to wake up and hire a better decision maker. I will forever suffer with the rest of the Knicks fans because I love New York, and keep hoping that the bright city lights will not continue to blind management to a better team ahead. Karen C. Allentown, Pa.
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