If symbolism alone could change the Knicks’ fortunes, then the minor trade they made Friday would make them instant contenders to a certain degree. I just hope he puts on the Knicks uniform and gets a game or two then my PC would be very happy.
In a deal with Houston, the Knicks acquired Patrick Ewing Jr. — the offspring of one of their greatest players — in exchange for the rights to Frederic Weis, a towering symbol of the franchise’s decline.
A former star at Georgetown, Ewing shares his father’s name and college pedigree, but not his athletic prowess and will be a long-shot to win a roster spot when the Knicks hold training camp in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in October.
A 6-foot 8-inch forward, Ewing was drafted in the second round, 43rd over all, by the Sacramento Kings in June. He was sent to Houston as part of the Ron Artest trade earlier this month. The Knicks now have 16 players under contract, one more than the maximum.
Weis, a 7-2 center from France, never wore a Knicks uniform after being taken with the 15th pick in the 1999 draft. And fans never forgave the Knicks for drafting Weis while Artest, a native of Queens, was still on the board. Artest is now one of the N.B.A.’s best defenders, while Weis is mostly remembered for being dunked on by Vince Carter at the 2000 Olympics.
So in one move, team president Donnie Walsh stirred memories of better times and chased off an old ghost. Whether it amounts to mere symbolism or good karma remains to be seen.
In a deal with Houston, the Knicks acquired Patrick Ewing Jr. — the offspring of one of their greatest players — in exchange for the rights to Frederic Weis, a towering symbol of the franchise’s decline.
A former star at Georgetown, Ewing shares his father’s name and college pedigree, but not his athletic prowess and will be a long-shot to win a roster spot when the Knicks hold training camp in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in October.
A 6-foot 8-inch forward, Ewing was drafted in the second round, 43rd over all, by the Sacramento Kings in June. He was sent to Houston as part of the Ron Artest trade earlier this month. The Knicks now have 16 players under contract, one more than the maximum.
Weis, a 7-2 center from France, never wore a Knicks uniform after being taken with the 15th pick in the 1999 draft. And fans never forgave the Knicks for drafting Weis while Artest, a native of Queens, was still on the board. Artest is now one of the N.B.A.’s best defenders, while Weis is mostly remembered for being dunked on by Vince Carter at the 2000 Olympics.
So in one move, team president Donnie Walsh stirred memories of better times and chased off an old ghost. Whether it amounts to mere symbolism or good karma remains to be seen.
