Patrick Ewing's Legacy: How the Knicks' 1985 Draft Pick Redefined New York Basketball

Patrick Ewing’s Legacy: How the Knicks’ 1985 Draft Pick Redefined New York Basketball
The Draft That Changed Everything
On June 19, 1985, the New York Knicks made a decision that would shape their future: selecting Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing as the first overall pick. As someone who’s analyzed decades of NBA drafts, I can confirm—this wasn’t just a good choice; it was the choice. The Knicks, hungry for a savior after years of mediocrity, got one. And oh boy, did he deliver.
By the Numbers: Ewing’s Dominance
Let’s talk stats—because numbers don’t lie. Over 15 seasons with the Knicks:
- 22.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 APG: A walking double-double who anchored the team through the ’90s.
- 11× All-Star: Only 10 players in history have more selections. That’s elite company.
- 2 Olympic golds (1984, 1992): Because dominating the NBA wasn’t enough.
Fun fact: His career PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 21.0 puts him ahead of modern giants like Anthony Davis. Not bad for a bloke who played in an era of hand-checking and no load management.
The Heart of NYC Basketball
Ewing wasn’t just stats—he was New York in the ’90s. The snarling dunks over rivals, the finger wags after blocks, the battles against Jordan’s Bulls… all while wearing that iconic #33. He turned Madison Square Garden into a fortress (and occasionally a wrestling ring—see: Heat-Knicks brawls).
Why We Still Talk About Him
Three decades later, Ewing’s shadow looms large:
- Culture Setter: His work ethic defined the “90s Knicks” identity—gritty, relentless, unapologetic.
- Unfinished Business: That elusive ring? The closest he got was the ’94 Finals. But as any proper analyst knows: greatness isn’t just about jewelry.
- Coaching Tree: Now mentoring big men as an assistant coach, proving legends never really leave the game.
So here’s to No. 33—the draft pick that gave New York its soul. And if you disagree? Well, I’ve got 10.4 rebounds worth of counterarguments.
TacticalEmma
Hot comment (10)

O Draft que Mudou Tudo (e a Sorte da NBA!)
Em 1985, os Knicks acertaram na loteria do draft… literalmente! Patrick Ewing não só veio com estatísticas monstruosas (22,8 pontos e 10,4 rebotes por jogo? Sim, por favor!), mas também com uma atitude que definiu Nova York nos anos 90.
Dados Não Mentem, Mas Ewing Fazia Chorar 11 vezes All-Star e um PER de 21.0? Até hoje fazemos contas para entender como um homem sozinho carregou tanto time (e tanta esperança).
E aí, torcedores do Benfica e Sporting, imaginem se o vosso clube tivesse um “Ewing” no futebol? Eu já estou fazendo as simulações no Python!
#LegadoQueDáRebote

Хто сказав, що статистика не смішна?
Патрік Юінг — це ходяча енциклопедія «як зробити 10.4 підбирань за відсутності мотивації». 15 сезонів у Нью-Йорку — і жодного кільця? Та це ж найкращий приклад того, що «статистика — це красиво, але трохи болюче»!
Мадідсон-сквер-гарден чи ринг?
Його матчі з «Буллз» Джордана нагадували мені наші українські дербі — багато емоцій, трохи бійки (ну знаєте, ці легендарні сутички з «Хітом»), і нуль шансів у фіналі. Але хей, він же виграв золото на Олімпіаді! Чи це не рахується?
До речі, якщо хтось скаже, що Юінг був переоцінений — у мене є 22.8 очка за гру для контраргументу. Обговорюємо в коментах!

Der Draft-Pick, der alles änderte
1985 holten die Knicks mit Patrick Ewing nicht nur einen Spieler, sondern eine Legende. 15 Jahre lang dominiert er mit 22,8 Punkten und 10,4 Rebounds pro Spiel - das nenne ich mal ein Double-Double für die Ewigkeit!
New York in Reinkultur
Ob Blocks, Dunks oder Finger-Waves - Ewing war die verkörperte Seele der Stadt. Madison Square Garden? Eher Ewings Wohnzimmer! Nur der Titel blieb ihm verwehrt… aber wer braucht schon Ringe, wenn man Statistik-Gott ist?
Fun Fact für Datenfreunde
Sein PER-Wert von 21,0 übertrifft sogar moderne Stars wie Anthony Davis. Nicht schlecht für jemanden, der noch gegen Hand-Checks kämpfte! Wer widerspricht, bekommt 10,4 Rebounds als Gegenargument serviert. Diskussion beendet!

Le Monstre du Parquet
Patrick Ewing, c’est l’homme qui a redéfini le basket new-yorkais avec ses 10.4 rebonds par match. Imaginez : un géant de 2m13 qui domine le terrain comme s’il était chez lui à Madison Square Garden.
Les Stats Qui Parlent
22.8 points, 10.4 rebonds, et une présence qui faisait trembler les adversaires. Ewing, c’était la garantie d’un spectacle à chaque match.
L’Éternel Héros
Même sans bague de championnat, Ewing reste le roi incontesté des Knicks. Et si vous n’êtes pas d’accord, je vous laisse discuter avec ses 10.4 rebonds !

O Draft Que Mudou Tudo
Em 1985, os Knicks acertaram na mosca com Patrick Ewing - e olha que eu não sou de elogiar fácil! O cara era uma máquina: 22.8 pontos por jogo e mais rebotes do que paciência de torcedor em dia de derrota.
Estilo Ewing: Brutalmente Elegante
Não bastava jogar bem, o homem tinha estilo. Aquele dedo abanando depois de um bloqueio? Puro ouro! E as brigas com o Heat? Parecia WWE, mas com shorts mais curtos.
Dica quente: Se discorda da grandeza dele, cuidado - ele ainda tem 10.4 rebotes de argumentos na manga! Quem concorda dá um ⬆️!

## 1985 کا وہ فیصلہ جس نے سب بدل دیا
پیٹرک یونگ کو 1985 کے ڈرافٹ میں منتخب کرنا صرف ایک انتخاب نہیں تھا، بلکہ نیویارک کی قسمت لکھنے والا لمحہ تھا!
## نمبرز بتاتے ہیں کہانی 22.8 PPG اور 10.4 RPG کے ساتھ، یونگ ایک چلتی پھرتی ‘ڈبل ڈبل’ مشین تھے۔ اور ہاں، ان کے 11 بار All-Star بننے پر تو جاوید میانداد بھی شرمندہ ہو جائیں!
## میڈیسن اسکوائر کے بادشاہ ان کی دھمکتی ڈنکس اور انگلی ہلانے والے بلاکس نے نیویارک کو ‘90s میں جنونی بنایا۔ کیا آپ جانتے ہیں کہ ان کا PER جدید دور کے ستاروں سے بھی بہتر تھا؟
آخر میں صرف اتنا کہوں گا: اگر آپ کو اختلاف ہے تو میری طرف سے 10.4 رباؤنڈز والا جواب تیار ہے! 😉

那個改變紐約的男人
1985年選秀,尼克隊用狀元籤選了Patrick Ewing,從此紐約籃球再也不一樣啦!這傢伙根本是行走的數據機器:場均22.8分、10.4籃板,還附贈11次全明星賽門票。
90年代的紐約靈魂
Ewing把MSG變成他的個人秀場—暴扣、火鍋、還有跟熱火隊的「摔角表演」(誤)。就算沒拿到冠軍戒,他硬派的球風早就寫進尼克隊DNA啦!
現代數據告訴你多狂
PER值21.0比AD還高?在現在可能要被酸『刷數據』,但在hand-checking時代這就是真實力!
各位老球迷來說說,當年看他虐爆禁區是不是超療癒?🤣 #尼克魂 #OldSchoolRocks

Ewing: Bukan Cuma Stats, Tapi Jiwa NYC!
Patrick Ewing bukan cuma bikin double-double setiap malam, dia juga bikin jantung fans Knicks berdebar-debar! Dari draft 1985 sampai jadi legenda, pria ini buktiin kalau jadi ‘the chosen one’ itu nggak cuma omong kosong.
Fakta Unik: PER-nya 21.0, lebih tinggi dari Anthony Davis! Bayangkan kalau dia main di era sekarang… mungkin bisa makan 3 MVP sekaligus!
Yang bikin kocak? Meski belum pernah juara NBA, warisannya tetap hidup. Sekarang ngelatih big men - mungkin lagi nyari penerus buat lanjutin ‘finger wag’ ikoniknya itu!
Kalian setuju nggak kalo Ewing adalah legenda terbesar Knicks? Atau masih ada yang ngebet Jordan lebih keren? Ayo debat di komen!

Ювінг – це не просто гравець, це епоха!
Якщо хтось сумнівається, що один драфт може змінити команду, просто подивіться на статистику Патріка Ювінга: 22.8 очок за гру та 10.4 підбирань – це не цифри, це поезія!
Мадідсон сквер гарден став його сценою, а пальці, якими він погрожував суперникам після блок-шотів – його автографом. І нехай чемпіонського персня не вийшло, але хіба це головне?
До речі, якщо ви думаєте, що сучасні гравці крутіші – Ювінг з його PER 21.0 готовий посперечатися. Хто з вами погодиться?

Хто сказав, що в Нью-Йорку немає королів?
Патрік Юїнг довів, що Медісон-сквер-гарден — це його замок. 15 сезонів, 22.8 очка за гру і тонни повалених суперників. Якщо хтось сумнівається в його величині — просто подивіться на його пальці: два олімпійські золота і 11 разів у матчі всіх зірок. Без кільця? Так, але хіба це головне?
Фан-факт для тих, хто не вірить у магію
Його PER (21.0) вищий, ніж у Ентоні Девіса. І це в епоху жорсткого захисту! Юїнг був як танк на паркеті — ніхто не міг його зупинити.
Що думаєте про легенду №33? Пишіть у коментарі — обговорюватимемо за статистикою та емоціями!

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