A Quick History of Patrick Ewing's Best On-Court Moments

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Ewing 33 Hi
Image via KicksOnFire

Anyone living in New York during the '90s knows that Patrick Ewing was a king. Kids on the street were wearing flashy Ewing 33 Hi (some things never change) while the big man himself was taking the Knicks deep into the playoffs every year. Although he never won a title, to many New York fans Ewing will always be Mr. Knick.

Ewing’s career produced some incredible moments. His business sense produced Ewing Athletics and one of the most unique lines of sneakers ever. In honor of his 52nd birthday, lets look back on some of his greatest on court moments and the shoes he was wearing.

RELATED: The Sneakers Worn for the 10 Most Memorable New York Knick Moments of the '90s
RELATED: Today in Performance Sneaker History: Patrick Ewing Ties NBA Finals Blocks Record in the Ewing Image

Image via Hypebeast
Image via Hypebeast

Game Winner vs. Bulls

Sneakers Worn: adidas Attitude Hi

Christmas day 1986, and the Knicks were playing in front of a packed house at MSG. Going up against the Bulls and a young Michael Jordan, the game seesawed back and forth in the final two minutes before Patrick Ewing collected a rebound and heaved up a shot at the buzzer. As the shot fell Ewing celebrated with his teammates in the adidas Attitude Hi. The sneaker is straight out of the 80’s, with vibrant Knicks colors and a huge padded collar.

Patrick Ewing in the Ewing Athletics Image
Image via eBay

Olajuwan Gets Rejected

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Images

With Michael Jordan out of basketball in 1994, the championship was considered up for grabs. Wearing the Ewing Images throughout the playoffs, Pat led the Knicks to finals where they met Hakeem Olajuwan and the Houston Rockets. Olajuwan and Ewing were two of the best centers ever, facing off for a title. Although the Rockets bested the Knicks that year, nobody can take this huge block away from Ewing. 1:58

Image via Basketballmegastore.com
Image via Basketballmegastore.com

Ewing Rejects Hardaway

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Empire

The Knicks were battling the Heat in the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the clock running and the Heat needing a 3 to tie, the ball swung to Tim Hardaway, who lined up his shot. Showcasing athleticism that made him one of the greatest centers ever, Ewing got up and swatted Hardaway’s shot, preserving the game for the Knicks. Ewing was rocking the Empire, the last sneaker his shoe company Ewing Athletics produced. 8:26

Image via Ubiqlife.com
Image via Ubiqlife.com

Monster Slam vs. Suns

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Center Hi

This wasn’t even in the playoffs or anything, it was just super awesome. Ewing could throw it down with the best of them, and this dunk demonstrated just how powerful he could be. He looked good slamming the rock in the Center Hi, a dope follow up to the iconic 33 Hi from the year before. 2:14

Image via Sole Collector
Image via Sole Collector

Ewing Posterizes Rodman

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Empire

There is almost too much to love here. It is a perfect moment locked in time for any Knicks fan. The opponent was the rival bulls, and the man getting dunked on was pesky Dennis Rodman. The play showed off the extent of Ewing athleticism as he soared through the air for the slam. The cherry on top? It was a buzzer beater! As a lifelong Knickerbockers fan myself, this video puts a smile on my face every time.

Patrick Ewing in the Ewing Athletics Image
Image via Sneaker Report

Game Winner vs. Pacers

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Images

Even though the Bulls dominated just about everyone in the 90’s, this rivalry still had ample opportunity to blossom. By 1995 the Knicks and Pacers had a heated rivalry built on the bedrock of countless hard fought playoff series. During the dying seconds of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Ewing worked his way into the middle of the lane and launched a floated that won the game for the Knicks. Any moment that broke Reggie Miller’s heart is a good one for Ewing. 8:18

Image via Kicksusa.com
Image via Kicksusa.com

Dunk over Mourning

Sneakers Worn: Nike Air Sensation

What a beast. During the 1997 season Ewing found himself all alone down low with only Alonzo Mourning in his way. He took stock of the situation, and decided to teach the younger Mourning a thing or two. Going over instead of around, Ewing rode the elevator and put Mourning on a poster. At this point Ewing Athletics had produced its last shoe, and Ewing had on a pair of Nike Air Sensation.

Ewing 33 Hi
Image via KicksOnFire

Epic 3 Pointer vs. Celtics

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Hi 33

1990 was all Ewing. He was a force in the league that year, making the All-NBA First Team while putting up over 28 ppg. Even better, he rocked the Ewing 33 Hi, the most iconic of all his sneakers and an all-time classic. In the first round of the playoffs, Ewing hit a grabbed a lose ball in the corner and hit three with 2 minutes left, putting the nail in the coffin and sending the Knicks to the next round.

Image via Ewing Athletics
Image via Ewing Athletics

Tip-In Slam vs. Pacers

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Focus

Nothing was stopping Ewing from making the finals in 1994. The Pacers took the Knicks to game 7 in the conference finals, and the big man knew it was his time to take over. He posted 24 points and 22 rebounds and simply dominated the game. The best moment came with 26 seconds left, when he reached over the defense to grab a rebound and slam it home for the game winning basket that sent the Knicks to the finals.

Image via Ewing Athletics
Image via Ewing Athletics

Playing Injured vs. Bulls

Sneakers Worn: Ewing Concepts

During the 1992 conference finals, the Knicks found themselves in a hole vs. the Bulls. Down 3-2, the Knicks needed to win to force a game 7. Ewing was suffering an ankle sprain and visibly limping, but he played through and scored 27 points in a ridiculous show of toughness. He rocked the Concepts, which featured a dope forefront strap.

RELATED: The Sneakers Worn for the 10 Most Memorable New York Knick Moments of the '90s
RELATED: Today in Performance Sneaker History: Patrick Ewing Ties NBA Finals Blocks Record in the Ewing Image