Big Fella Fights Covid19

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

The death count from the Coronavirus/Covid19 pandemic will reach more than 100,000 very soon. It has taking the lives of the young, old, rich, poor and individuals who for the most part have led a very healthy life. The major sports teams are still trying to figure out when they resume (if they do) their seasons. As The weather begins to get warmer, people are gathering outdoors in parks, beaches and boardwalks. Some are practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Other aren’t as seen from this past Memorial Day weekend. 

 

It was revealed last week the New York Knicks and Georgetown University legend Patrick Ewing was diagnosed with Covid19. Ewing had to spend the weekend in the hospital but fortunately was released this past weekend. Patrick Ewing, Jr released a statement saying, “”I want to thank all of the doctors and hospital staff for taking care of my father during his stay, as well as everyone who has reached out with thoughts and prayers to us and since his diagnosis.”

 

Patrick Ewing’s days at Georgetown and as a member of the New York Knicks have been well documented. He won a college championship under head coach John Thompson and went to the NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs only to come up short. The battles between the Knicks and Chicago Bulls were epic. For 6 of 7 years. Michael Jordan was Patrick and the Knicks main nemesis. 

 

As Patrick Ewing’s career was coming to an end, it was clear it would not end in New York. Management and Ewing could not resolve their differences and in 2000 he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. In 2001, Ewing returned to MSG and was given a video tribute to a standing ovation that seemed to last forever. Scoring 12 points in 32 minutes, his revenge fell short as they lost 101-92. Ewing went on to play two more years with Orlando and Washington before retiring in 2002.

 

Wanting to stay in the game, Ewing would be an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic as they advanced to the NBA Finals only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers. The then Charlotte Bobcats hired Ewing as an assistant in 2013 becoming intern head coach for the remainder of the season as head coach Steve Clifford underwent heart surgery.

 

Frustrated at not being given an opportunity to get a NBA head coaching job, Ewing decided to return to his Alma Mater as head coach of Georgetown. 2017 saw the Hoyas go 15-15, 5-13 in the Big East and did not make the NIT or NCAA postseason. Georgetown improved the following year going finishing 19-14, 9-9 in the Big East leading to a NIT berth. This past March, after getting out to a big lead in the first game of the Big East tournament against St. John’s, they collapsed watching the Johnnies score 23 straight points in the 75-62 loss. The next day, after the first half of the St. John’s, Creighton game, the tournament and the NCAA (March Madness) was cancelled due to the pandemic. The NBA cancelled all games the night before with the NHL following shortly.

 

Sports is slowly coming back. Baseball is being played in Asia. Soccer in Europe, Nascar in Charlotte. Golf took place this past weekend as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady raised $20 million for the Covid19 relief fund. All events without fans in attendance.

 

MLB, NHL and the NFL are still figuring out how they will get their leagues going with some MLB and NBA teams opening their facilities for practices.

 

The New York Times recently published all of the names of the individuals who have succumbed to the Coronavirus/Coved19 pandemic. Fortunately, Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing was not on the list.