POY in 1990… could be Patrick Ewing?

[Lebronnygoat]

Watching Ewing games, and I saw his good passing ability and post gravity that was possibly bar none in 1990 (Hakeem). So I decided to track 3 games (2 in 1990), and here’s a game I’ve been most impressed with (only through the 1st half).

Patrick Ewing’s Creation Tally in the 1st Half
1990, Knicks vs Celtics, Game 5
https://youtu.be/WQOgccCE3PE?si=YpwyLOAMFAMv2QH-
5:40 (creates 4 on 3 ie open man in the right corner)
7:50 (screen cuts off but he draws extra defender and darts it over for an open shot)
9:50 (hockey creation)
10:40 (draws extra defender, open mid range)
11:15 (draws shooter’s man leaving in uncontested mid range)
15:35 (very low quality)
27:55 (draws extra defender and makes cross court pass for an open mid range)
34:40
35:15
37:25
48:40
52:25
59:10
59:40

2nd Quarter seems to be more impressive on a per possession basis of creation.
Honestly, if Ewing was this level of playmaker, or a little worse over the course of the season, I’d say he’s the best player for the year, considering his performance vs Detroit was better than Jordan vs Detroit, and his Boston series was better than Jordan’s philly series and Magic’s suns series

Total:
14 Creations, and since I’m making this in a rush, he also created multiple interior shots directly from this gravity. The first game I watched vs Detroit he had created 8 times, but also scored 45 points, so if you take away his unusual high volume of shots, his creation should be in middle 10’s… which is insane

[One_and_Done]

Wouldn't even be top 5 for me.

[Lebronnygoat]

Wouldn't even be top 5 for me.

All Time Great Defense + Elite Creator + Good Passing + Elite Scoring. Outplayed Jordan vs the same competition, had the best playoff series that year against great personal. He also averaged 29/11 on 5 stocks with 60% true shooting. How is that not top 5?

[Lebronnygoat]

Finished with 20 creations
1:04:10
1:07:10
1:23:20
1:27:00
1:37:50
1:53:50
1:55:50

[One_and_Done]

Wouldn't even be top 5 for me.

All Time Great Defense + Elite Creator + Good Passing + Elite Scoring. Outplayed Jordan vs the same competition, had the best playoff series that year against great personal. He also averaged 29/11 on 5 stocks with 60% true shooting. How is that not top 5?

I don't agree with much of that though. I don't think he had all-time D or was an elite creator, or that he was an elite scorer.

[Lebronnygoat]

Ewing is an ATG defender and peaked in ~90 as one. If my creation tally is consistent throughout his season, he’s an elite creator and elite off ball big man. He averages 29 on 60% true shooting for the regular season and averaged 29.4 in the playoffs on 58% (same rTS adjusted).

[Djoker]

Wouldn't even be top 5 for me.

All Time Great Defense + Elite Creator + Good Passing + Elite Scoring. Outplayed Jordan vs the same competition, had the best playoff series that year against great personal. He also averaged 29/11 on 5 stocks with 60% true shooting. How is that not top 5?

He's a very good defender but not an all-time great like say Hakeem.

He's also an average passer and creator for a big.

Scoring is good but nowhere near someone like Jordan. And no he didn't play better against the Pistons than Jordan did. In fact, MJ was significantly better.

I see Ewing as #3 or #4 for that season. I think him vs. Barkley is very close and can go either way. At the end I chose Ewing > Barkley but he isn't touching MJ or Magic for that matter.

[ShaqAttac]

how he only got 2 assists if he's playmaking so much?

[ShaqAttac]

Wouldn't even be top 5 for me.

All Time Great Defense + Elite Creator + Good Passing + Elite Scoring. Outplayed Jordan vs the same competition, had the best playoff series that year against great personal. He also averaged 29/11 on 5 stocks with 60% true shooting. How is that not top 5?

He's a very good defender but not an all-time great like say Hakeem.

He's also an average passer and creator for a big.

Scoring is good but nowhere near someone like Jordan. And no he didn't play better against the Pistons than Jordan did. In fact, MJ was significantly better.

I see Ewing as #3 or #4 for that season. I think him vs. Barkley is very close and can go either way. At the end I chose Ewing > Barkley but he isn't touching MJ or Magic for that matter.

bro just showed he ain't average. how you just gonna go nuh-uh

[Top10alltime]

Watching Ewing games, and I saw his good passing ability and post gravity that was possibly bar none in 1990 (Hakeem). So I decided to track 3 games (2 in 1990), and here’s a game I’ve been most impressed with (only through the 1st half).

Patrick Ewing’s Creation Tally in the 1st Half
1990, Knicks vs Celtics, Game 5
https://youtu.be/WQOgccCE3PE?si=YpwyLOAMFAMv2QH-
5:40 (creates 4 on 3 ie open man in the right corner)
7:50 (screen cuts off but he draws extra defender and darts it over for an open shot)
9:50 (hockey creation)
10:40 (draws extra defender, open mid range)
11:15 (draws shooter’s man leaving in uncontested mid range)
15:35 (very low quality)
27:55 (draws extra defender and makes cross court pass for an open mid range)
34:40
35:15
37:25
48:40
52:25
59:10
59:40

2nd Quarter seems to be more impressive on a per possession basis of creation.
Honestly, if Ewing was this level of playmaker, or a little worse over the course of the season, I’d say he’s the best player for the year, considering his performance vs Detroit was better than Jordan vs Detroit, and his Boston series was better than Jordan’s philly series and Magic’s suns series

Total:
14 Creations, and since I’m making this in a rush, he also created multiple interior shots directly from this gravity. The first game I watched vs Detroit he had created 8 times, but also scored 45 points, so if you take away his unusual high volume of shots, his creation should be in middle 10’s… which is insane

Good job but this doesn't put him on the level of goat lvl offensive players like magic and mj who create more than Ewing (better scorers and playmakers imo).

Also wonder what makes you think he is a good passer and atg defender, good scorer, could you explain this?

[migya]

Ewing is an ATG defender and peaked in ~90 as one. If my creation tally is consistent throughout his season, he’s an elite creator and elite off ball big man. He averages 29 on 60% true shooting for the regular season and averaged 29.4 in the playoffs on 58% (same rTS adjusted).

Its great you have looked into it and seen the real value of a someone like Ewing. 1990 was certainly a very high standard from Ewing and really it is hard to say he was better offensively than Jordan, Magic and maybe Barkley but his defense impact was the best among them and does make him comparable. Ewing was a beast that ruled the paint while having little help.