NY Knicks: Patrick Ewing on Jordan trash talk, Oakley criticism

New York Knicks Hall-of-Famer Patrick Ewing says Michael Jordan is still talking trash, and once again takes the high road in response to Charles Oakley.

New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing has been using the attention he is receiving in response to ESPN’s The Last Dance documentary to do some recruiting.

While the big fella is stuck at home, he is making the best of his time by appearing on radio and television spots to promote his basketball program at Georgetown. Answer a few questions about Michael Jordan, or his teammate Charles Oakley, all the cost of doing business to promote G-Town.

Last week, Ewing appeared on a Canadian radio show, saying he has a lot of family “up there,” so he wants to expand his recruiting reach.

He talked about Georgetown, while initially responding to Oakley’s criticism about failing to come through in the clutch during his playing career.

On Monday, Ewing was back at again. Wearing a Hoyas hat and polo, he talked to Rachel Nichols on The Jump about the good ol’ days of facing Jordan and the Bulls in the 1990s.

"“[Jordan’s] been talking trash from the first day that I met him,” Ewing said. “And he still continues to talk trash, telling me that I have never beaten him when it counts … It still hasn’t stopped. Even today, if I call him right now, he’ll still be talking trash to me.”"

Of course, the one time the Knicks did beat Chicago in the playoffs was the year Michael Jordan was trying his hand at baseball. Scottie Pippen‘s infamous moment in Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals when he refused to re-enter the game for the final shot with 1.8 seconds remaining was featured on The Last Dance this past Sunday.

"“It’s one of those incidents where I wish it never happened. But if I had a chance to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t change it,” Pippen said in the documentary."

Nichols asked Ewing what he thought about the moment.

"“I was like ‘What’s going on?’ I see him sitting over on the bench. I saw that he was angry,” Ewing said. “But after that everything was blocked out. I was tunnel vision on trying to stop Toni [Kukoc] from getting a shot. And he hit a remarkable shot to win the game.”"

Former teammate Charles Oakley was quite critical of Ewing for lacking the necessary star power to lead the Knicks past Chicago in their five other meetings in the playoffs.

Ewing has taken the high road in response to Oakley’s comments, which he did again on Monday.

"“Hey look, I have nothing but respect for Charles Oakley,” Ewing said. “He was one of my greatest teammates. We called him the ‘Hit man.’ He protect all our backs. So anything happen on the floor, he was always going to be there to protect you. So I have nothing but respect for him.”"

Ewing also addressed Oakley’s specific criticism about passing out of double teams.

"“Me passing out of double teams? There were times when maybe I should have. But there were times when I thought that it was my job to try to win the game, so that’s what I did. I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to the Knicks, and that’s it.”"

Patrick Ewing. 100 percent class. Nothing more to say.