Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks have had great success from his debut year in 1985 to when he left the city in 2000. One of the biggest humps they have struggled to overcome? The same that most teams fought with: Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan played 30-13 of all time against Patrick Ewing, including the division of the four games played when Ewing was playing for Orlando Magic and Jordan for Washington Wizards (28-11 if you don’t count their careers after their original teams) .
Ewing is undeniable. He is a Hall of Fame player, an All-Star 11 times, 7 times All-NBA and 3 times a member of the All-Defensive Team. All of this after becoming the first ever pick, Rookie of the Year, and All-Star for the first time in 1986. His rivalry with Jordan and the Bulls has been one for centuries.
According to Ewing, Jordan won’t let him lose. Speaking to Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles on the Knuckleheads podcast, Ewing said:
“This man has been beating me for many years. And surely he lets me know every time I see him, he lets me know that ‘you never beat me ”.
Jordan and the Bulls beat the Knicks four times in the NBA playoffs during Jordan’s reign, but it has always been a battle against the Knicks for Chicago.
Ewing, who he mentioned hasn’t seen much of the Jordan documentary, respects and admires everything Jordan did for the game.
“He is a great player. He’s a leader, he’s a self-motivator and he’s tried to motivate your team. Unfortunately, we couldn’t beat them, “said Ewing.
As far as GOAT was concerned, Ewing would not have gone so far, but he would say that Jordan is unequivocally the best player of his time.
“There is nothing to say. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played in this game, he’s the best player I’ve ever played in my time. “