Knicks legend Patrick Ewing on getting ‘accosted’ by Garden security: ‘They should know who the hell I am’
"Patrick Ewing might’ve been confused for Charles Oakley. Or maybe the Garden just needs security guards who know Knicks history.
The Georgetown coach and Knicks legend, fresh off his team’s upset victory over Villanova at MSG, said in his postgame presser he was “accosted” by Garden security.
“I do want to say one thing,” said Ewing, who was visibly frustrated. “I thought this was my building. And I feel terrible that I’m getting stopped, accosted, and asked for passes. Everybody in this building should know who the hell I am. And I’m getting stopped, I can’t move around this building and I’m like, ‘What the hell? Is this Madison Square Garden?’
“I’m going to going to have to call Mr. Dolan and say, ‘Geez, is my name in the rafters or what?’”
Patrick Ewing has his Hoyas in the Big East tournament semis. (David Butler II / AP)
Knicks owner James Dolan spoke with Ewing on Thursday afternoon and “reaffirmed” their “longstanding relationship,” according to an MSG Entertainment spokesman.
“We all know, respect and appreciate what he means to The Garden and New York,” the statement read. “Good luck to him and his Hoyas in the Big East semi-finals.”
Ewing isn’t the first high-profile Knicks personality to accuse Garden security of overzealousness. Spike Lee said he was harassed when trying to enter MSG during a game last season. Charles Oakley, a teammate of Ewing in the 90s, was dragged out of MSG and arrested following a dust-up with security in 2017.
Ewing represents the Knicks’ all-time leading scorer by far with 23,665 points. He was the franchise’s first overall draft pick in 1985, captured Rookie of the Year and made 11 All-Star teams.
Less than two years ago he represented the Knicks at the draft lottery, when they picked third and drafted RJ Barrett.
Georgetown, seeded eighth, shocked No. 1 Villanova on Thursday, 72-71, to advance to the Big East tournament semifinals.
“We took another step in my house, by the way,” Ewing said. “This is my house.”
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