Knicks legend Patrick Ewing was also an Olympic legend – part of the original Dream Team in 1992, when NBA stars were allowed to play on the US Olympic basketball team for the first time.
It was a different era, and the American stars slipped to a gold medal without sweat. During the Tokyo Olympics, Ewing, who was teammates of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and John Stockton on the Dream Team, shares his memories for Olympic sponsor Airbnb.
« The Big Fella » has Understanding of the added pressure on Gregg Popovich’s club to win gold as international competition has increased since Ewing wore the red, white and blue.
« I’m into Coach Popovich and the US team, » said Ewing the Post in an interview sent by email. “It’s an unfortunate time we live in right now – losing players to COVID-19 logs. It’s harder to play now because of the Dream Team. All current players grew up with us in mind and watched us dominate the rest of the world. But the rest of the world has caught up.
“There are so many talented players. Some of the best players in the NBA today come from all over the world. It wasn’t like that back then. ”
Team USA will face France in the opening game on Sunday at 8 am. There will be no fans due to the pandemic, but in 1992 The Dream Team was bullied by the masses.
« My favorite memory from the Dream Team days – forget the games, we punished everyone, » said Ewing. “But to train against all these great players. We all work hard every day. That was the best. These exercises were unforgettable. The friendships and bonds we’ve made – me, Larry Bird, Chris Mullin. These are memories I will never forget. ”
Ewing, now Georgetown’s head coach after many years as an NBA assistant, recently had more Garden memories than his Hoyas winning the Big East title in the world’s most famous arena won.
He also followed the Knicks pandemic season 41-31 when his former coach and fellow coach Tom Thibodeau ran the Knicks show.
Thibodeau was an assistant when Ewing played for the Knicks. And Thibodeau and Ewing worked for Jeff Van Gundy’s Houston associate.
« Tom is a great coach and a friend too, » said Ewing. “He has an incredible work ethic and is a fantastic trainer. They know what they’re saying: once kink, always kink. ”
The latest Knicks center trying to fill Ewing’s footsteps is Mitchell Robinson, who broke Ewings rookie record for consecutive blocks in a game with 29 .
Robinson still hasn’t shown the offensive brilliance that Ewing has weaved through his Hall of Fame career, but Robinson’s potential as a defensive center is unlimited.
« Mitchell Robinson is a very good player, » said Ewing. « I only wish him the best. »
© 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
Terms of Use
Data protection
Your ad choices
Page index
Your California Privacy Rights
Don’t sell my personal information
Keywords:
