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| Friday, September 22 No more Patrick, no more title thoughts ESPN.com |
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So what did you think about the big Patrick Ewing trade? We asked ESPN.com users immediately after the deal went down and for most of the next day what they thought, and nearly 3,000 e-mails later we have a pretty good idea.
Anyway, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Knicks' part of the trade. User comments on the Sonics and Lakers can be found to the right.
I'm a 15-year-old lifelong Knick fan. I've been watching Patrick Ewing lead the Knicks into every game, every battle with Alonzo Mourning and the Heat, every heartache with Reggie Miller and the Pacers, every single agonizing playoff defeat. He never stopped playing his best. The Knicks got the bad end of the stick with this trade. They picked up Glen Rice, a guy who's just as greedy on the floor as Sprewell, Luc Longley, a presence in the paint that nobody will be afraid to drive into, and Vernon Maxwell, a guy that Charlie Ward can play better than. The Knicks are now in a bigger jam. If I were GM Scott Layden, I would take Luc Longley and Glen Rice and trade them as fast as I can. The Knicks have made the biggest mistake since Frederic Weis. Robert Lopez New York City
Layden and Knick management don't have a clue or a plan. They have taken on a couple more bad contracts (in Rice and Longley) without getting back a player who makes them dramatically better at another position. Vin Baker was one thing, these aging stiffs are another. But, so long as they win enough to keep the expensive seats on celebrity row occupied, Layden and Checketts will keep their jobs. But if either is expecting to see an NBA championship game in person any time soon, they had better be prepared to buy a ticket. Matt Carnicelli Queens, N.Y.
Looking at players and their prime, Patrick and Horace are well beyond that mark. It seems that the Knicks got the best of the deal, getting players they need, and at ages to still run the floor. The Suns will not benefit from Dudley (no team would), nor will the Lakers with Grant. Ewing will help, but not enough for Seattle to be a contender, while the Knicks will improve in all areas. Tim Bekkering Gainesville, Fla.
For Ewing we got three 7-foot centers in Longley, Knight and Stepania. Not one of those players are going to give you Ewing-type numbers, but total the numbers up at the end of the game and I bet they give you 15 points and 10 rebounds. Also, they won't demand the ball and they probably will be available for more then 40 games and the playoffs (yes, the Knicks will make the playoffs). I read an article that says Miami is licking their chops now that Patrick is gone. Face the facts, Miami is no better with the overrated Brian Grant than they were with P.J. Brown. David DeRosa Houston, Texas
The Knicks would have been better off letting Patrick play out his contract and free up some cap room for a run at the top free agents next summer (i.e. Chris Webber). Instead they took on big contracts in Rice and Longley that are several years in duration and only strengthened the swingman position (a position at which they were very rich to begin with). They left holes at center and point guard. At least Longley will not demand the ball on offense (you have to find the silver lining). Seth New York, N.Y.
It's a sad day for basketball in New York City! Patrick Ewing doesn't have enough sense to retire with dignity, and probably will become one of those "over-the-hill" ex-superstars that hung around too long. And why did the Knicks want Glen Rice? He's a streaky shooter who plays NO DEFENSE! I guess the Knicks have gone into a "rebuilding" mode -- and they don't even know it! David Gilmore Kansas City, Mo.
I think the Knicks made a good trade here. I like Glen Rice, and now the Knicks have a potent outside game which could be unstoppable if everyone plays well. They have the best two shooters in the NBA with Rice and Houston. I will be surprised if Houston remains on the team going into the season. Mike Rudner Wayne, N.J.
Having been a Knick fan for a long time, I hate to see Patrick go. However, I do feel that the Knicks will be better with Longley or Mutombo in the middle. The concentration will be more on rebounding and defense than scoring. Spree, Rice, Houston and LJ can score, Ward has proved to be a deep threat and Longley can put the ball in the hoop. Camby and Thomas can add a quick lineup that can run the ball. Camby needs to learn how to play with his back to the hoop to be considered a real threat. All in all the postseason matchup with the Heat should be awesome again Samuel New York City
Would someone please tell me what was so great about Ewing outside of the fact that he played for New York? How many rings? Any MVPs? Scoring titles? Rebound titles? Defensive Player of the Year awards? Please tell me what? New York came out on top in this trade. David Best New York, N.Y.
I am appalled at the entire Knicks organization for trading Patrick Ewing. Sending Ewing off to a non-contender just shows the total lack of class on the part of the organization. Today I am ashamed to be a New Yorker. If losing with Patrick Ewing is the reason he was traded, I would like to say that I would rather lose with Patrick than win with Glen Rice and Luc Longley any day. I love Patrick. Dan Spiegel Woodmere, N.Y.
I hope that the Knicks really do have something else in the works because as it stands now, it seems that they've got the short end of the stick. What the Knicks gave up was their top rebounder and one of the top centers in the league for a less mobile Allan Houston (Glen Rice) that doesn't want to play defense. They also received a washed-up center in Luc Longley who I would have trouble debating if he was actually an upgrade to Chris Dudley, let alone Patrick. Do the Knicks actually see how stacked Seattle and the Lakers are now? How are the Knicks going to even get by the Heat now that they have gotten bigger (Brian Grant) and the Knicks are downgrading themselves on one of their most glaring weaknesses (no size)? Well, since the deal is now done, wouldn't it be something if Ewing led the Sonics to the Finals where they meet the Knicks? Just wishful thinking. Daniel Lui New York City
I am a huge Knicks fan. I believe that Patrick was treated unfairly by the Knick organization. He is the reason the Knicks have been contenders for the past decade. There is no way that the Knicks can contend without Patrick. The Eastern Conference is way to physical, especially the new-look Miami Heat. I really wish Patrick the best of luck, and I hope the Knicks management really understands how much we will miss Patrick in the postseason against Miami. But on the other hand, I believe that if the draft picks are used properly, we will do well in the years to come. Paul Hudacko Carteret, N.J.
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