Many Happy Returns of Patrick Ewing’s Birthday

The original Big Fella turns 46 today. Big Pat’s got a lot on his plate these days: he’s still an assistant Coach for the Orlando Magic, his son is looking to get picked up by an NBA team, and in a month or so he has to go all the way to Massachusetts to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. We’ll have a much nicer tribute to Patrick when we get closer to Hall of Fame weekend, but for now, just think back on your favorite Ewing-Georgetown moment and if you have a drink sometime today, lift your glass to Patrick Aloysius Ewing, Sr. And since it’s for him, lift your glass up a lot higher than usual.

As for my Ewing memory, it’s a lighthearted one. In a game at the Capital Centre, whoever the Hoyas were playing were shooting free throws. Before the guy was getting ready for the first free throw, the ref noticed that the net had gotten looped over and stuck inside the rim. The referee took the ball, stood directly under the hoop, and tossed the ball up. The ball hit the back portion of the rim and spiked down at him. The net was still tangled. Ewing, who was already along the lane in rebounding position for the free throw, didn’t move his feet, he just reached his arm up (without jumping), and untangled the net. Everybody had a nice laugh at the expense of the ref. I don’t know if anyone else remembers that play, but as a 7-year old at the time, it was very funny and memorable.