Patrick Ewing Was Never A Choker, But A Relentless Warrior Who Carried The Knicks Through Adversity And Elevated Their Greatness

Patrick Ewing’s name often stirs polarizing debates whenever discussions about NBA legends surface. For some, he is remembered as one of the most dominant big men of his era, a cornerstone of the New York Knicks during the late 1980s and 1990s, and the face of the franchise that embodied the grit of Madison Square Garden. For others, unfairly, his name sometimes gets attached to the label of a “choker,” a misguided criticism that distorts the reality of what he accomplished and the circumstances he endured. But a deeper look into Ewing’s career shows that he was never the weak link on his team. Instead, he was one of the greatest “floor raisers” in NBA history, a relentless competitor who carried a franchise through constant change and adversity, while consistently delivering playoff appearances and relevance for a city that craved basketball greatness.

Ewing’s prime years in New York, from 1986 to 1998, tell a story of resilience. For 13 seasons, he shouldered the pressure of being the Knicks’ cornerstone with minimal star power around him. Unlike some of his peers who had the luxury of playing alongside fellow Hall of Famers or multiple All-NBA talents, Ewing never once had an All-NBA teammate in his entire prime. In fact, across those years, he had just three All-Star teammates in total—a staggering fact that highlights how much responsibility fell squarely on his shoulders. While Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon eventually teamed with Clyde Drexler, and Karl Malone had John Stockton, Ewing carried the weight of New York basketball virtually alone.

His early years were defined by chaos and instability. Between 1985 and 1991, the Knicks cycled through six different head coaches, a revolving door that would derail most young stars trying to find their footing in the league. From Hubie Brown to Bob Hill, Rick Pitino to Stu Jackson, there was no consistency in philosophy or leadership. Yet Ewing never used instability as an excuse. He played through injuries, adjusted to new systems year after year, and kept the Knicks competitive. It wasn’t until Pat Riley’s arrival in 1991 that the franchise finally found stability, and with Riley came the birth of the tough, physical, defense-first Knicks identity that would define the 1990s. Ewing was the centerpiece of that transformation, the anchor who gave Riley a foundation on which to build.

Even through all of those challenges, Ewing’s Knicks averaged 51 wins per season during his prime years. That is not the profile of a player holding his team back. Rather, it is the mark of a superstar elevating a roster that otherwise would not have come close to consistent playoff contention. The Knicks made the playoffs in 11 straight seasons with Ewing at the helm, something that should never be overlooked. In an Eastern Conference dominated by dynasties and loaded rosters, Ewing’s teams were always in the mix. He brought New York to the brink of the mountaintop in 1994, carrying the Knicks to the NBA Finals against Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. That series went to seven games, and while the Knicks fell short, it was not for lack of effort from Ewing. He battled through double-teams and immense defensive pressure, still managing to protect the paint and give his team a fighting chance at a championship.

The criticism of Ewing as a “choker” often stems from the lack of a championship ring, as though greatness can only be validated by jewelry. But context matters. Ewing’s career overlapped with the era of Michael Jordan, who denied countless stars the chance to win titles. When Jordan briefly left the game, Ewing’s Knicks finally broke through to the Finals, only to meet another all-time great center in Olajuwon. In 1995, Ewing’s missed finger roll against the Indiana Pacers became an infamous moment, unfairly cemented in highlight reels as a symbol of failure. What those snapshots ignore is that Ewing had been the one carrying the Knicks to that very moment, logging heavy minutes, battling elite defenses, and putting the team in position to advance. To define a career by a single missed shot while ignoring over a decade of consistent excellence is shortsighted.

Ewing was not flashy in the way some of his contemporaries were, but he was ruthlessly dependable. He played through pain, often gutting out games on bad knees and sore ankles because his team needed him. He left everything on the court every night, something his teammates and opponents alike respected. His work ethic was legendary—arriving early, staying late, and always preparing for the wars of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks of the 1990s were defined by their toughness, their defensive identity, and their never-back-down attitude. All of that started with Ewing’s example.

To call Ewing a “choker” also overlooks his impact as a true “floor raiser.” The term refers to players who elevate the baseline level of their teams, ensuring that even when circumstances are unfavorable, their presence guarantees relevance and competitiveness. Ewing epitomized that role. With him, the Knicks were perennial playoff contenders. Without him, it is hard to imagine New York being anything but a bottom-feeder during that era. His ability to consistently deliver 20 points, 10 rebounds, and elite rim protection gave the Knicks a fighting chance every single season, even against superior talent.

Ewing’s legacy should be measured not by the absence of a ring, but by the presence of sustained excellence in a difficult environment. He was the face of the Knicks when Madison Square Garden was the most electrifying venue in basketball. He gave New York fans hope and pride, anchoring a team that became one of the toughest outs in the league. He never shied away from the pressure of playing in the biggest market with the brightest lights. And while his teams ultimately fell short of a championship, the failure was never his alone—it was the reality of an unforgiving era dominated by some of the greatest teams and players in NBA history.

When basketball historians revisit Patrick Ewing’s career with fairness and nuance, the label of “choker” dissolves quickly. What emerges instead is the portrait of a warrior who consistently showed up, who carried his team without complaint, and who battled the best of the best in the hardest possible circumstances. His 13-year prime was a testament to resilience, leadership, and commitment. He was not the beneficiary of stacked rosters or constant coaching stability, yet he still produced at a level that made the Knicks matter every single year.

Patrick Ewing was never a choker. He was the heart and soul of the New York Knicks, a floor raiser of historic proportions, and one of the fiercest competitors the NBA has ever seen. His story is not one of failure, but of perseverance, loyalty, and unrelenting effort. The Garden may not have crowned him a champion, but to the fans who lived through that era, Patrick Ewing remains a legend who gave everything for New York, and that is a legacy that cannot be diminished by misguided labels or unfair criticisms.