Living in the Shadows: A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

[The JZA]

Lil' Ewi been nothing but a dub-dub chub, you love to see it.

Homie was on another level against the Mad Antz. Can we expect a call up soon?

[RMJH4]

Lil' Ewi been nothing but a dub-dub chub, you love to see it.

Homie was on another level against the Mad Antz. Can we expect a call up soon?

Getting closer and closer. Stay tuned. Yeah Ew dominating in D League now.

[RMJH4]

Ewing’s Epilogues: Episode 5

The gym lights hum louder when it’s empty.

Twice a week now.

That’s the routine.

No cameras. No scouts. No reporters asking about my last name. Just hardwood, sweat, and Latrell Sprewell pacing the sideline like it’s 1999 again.

The connection came through Dad. One phone call. One favor. One former Knick looking out for another.

Sprewell didn’t sugarcoat it the first day.

“You’re not a four. Stop training like one.”

That stuck with me.

All these years I’d been working like a hybrid forward—posting up smaller guys, crashing the glass, playing physical. But the league isn’t looking for another undersized power forward. They’re looking for wings. Switchable defenders. Slashers who can guard two positions and run in transition.

If I want back in the NBA, I have to become a wing.

So that’s what we’ve been building.

Ball-handling first. Tight, controlled, low. No wasted motion.

Then footwork. Jab series. Rip-throughs. One-dribble pull-ups. Fadeaways from the mid-post—not big-man fades. Wing fades.

Sprewell makes me attack from triple threat like every possession is personal.

“Face up. Threaten. Go downhill.”

We work on defending quicker guards. Lateral slides until my legs burn. Closeouts under control. Contest without fouling.

He keeps saying the same thing:

“Energy travels. Coaches notice energy.”

That’s my lane.

Not 20 shots a night.
Not isolations.
Not forcing my game.

Defense.
Slashing.
Transition.
Relentless effort.

Two workouts a week. Early mornings.

Some days I leave thinking I’m close. Other days I realize how far I still have to go. The league is faster than I remember. Wings are skilled now. Everyone can shoot. Everyone can handle.

But I can guard.

And I can run.

And I can finish.

That’s enough to get a contract—if I sharpen it.

Dad checks in after every session. He doesn’t hover. He doesn’t push. Just asks what I learned.

That’s the difference now.

I’m not trying to be him.

I’m trying to be ready.

Because when the call comes—and it will—I won’t show up as a tweener.

I’ll show up as a wing.

Now just need to have a chat with a coach. I think I need more minutes at the three. Time to make that move.

[RMJH4]

​

Game 22 Maine Red Claws 90 - 84 Reno Bighorns


Air Ewing was cleared for take off a few times tonight. Posters all around Reno.

Red Claws Starters
P. Beverley
A. Ray
P. Ewing Jr.
M. Landry
E. Curry

Bighorns Starters
E. Jeter
G. Forbes
L. Owens
J. Pendergraph
D. Andersen

Game Leaders
Pts - 25 - P. Ewing Jr. (Red Claws)
Rebs - 10 - P. Ewing Jr. (Red Claws)
Asts - 14 - P. Beverley (Red Claws)
Stls - 2 - P. Beverley (Red Claws)
Blks - 3 - H. N'Diaye (Red Claws)

Player of the Game
P. Ewing Jr. (Red Claws)
25 pts, 10 rebs, 4 asts, 1 stl.

Ewings Epilogue.



P. Ewing Jr. (Red Claws)
25 pts, 10 rebs, 4 asts, 1 stl.

“Boy what a win tonight. We struggled to keep up with Reno until the 2nd Half. Allan Ray really caught fire with 15 points. Other big performances for us from Eddy Curry (14) and Patrick Beverley with 13 pts and 14 assists. I really enjoyied playing the 3 tonight with Patrick hitting me on curls and cuts, a big reason he racked up so many assists. Had a half dozen dunks of alley-oops and great lobs from him. Gelabale was injured tonight, but Julius Hodge and Marcus Landry really stepped up with 9 and 11 respectively.”

"As expected Gary Forbes and Larry Owens were the main threats for Reno. Forbes had 20 with some highlight dunks on the breaks. Owens is a good shooter and kept us stretched all over the floor. 2 high scoring wing men for the Bighorns that have torched teams all year long. I managed to keep Owens fairly quiet tonight though, 7 points and 4 rebounds was all he could muster. A tough match up which I was happy to come out on top off. David Andersen was also worked over by Eddy Curry. He finished with 4 points and 7 boards only.

"I think we removed all doubt that we are the main team in the D-League this year. A good road win over the 2nd place team cements that. 18-4 and 3 games clear in the East over the Iowa Energy."

"I was talking to Dad after the game tonight. From what he hears there are a couple of teams interested in signing me up very soon. He said the Magic have even been keeping tabs on me lately. GM's have noticed the fact I've become a double-double machine this season. But what seems to have impressed them even more is my 2.9 assists per game. I'm leading the way for forwards in that category. Dad just said to keep my phone by my side, and he'll let me know if anything else comes up. He thinks my sessions with Latrell are paying off, I had a good game at the 3. It all sounds promising but until I hear anymore from the teams, I'll just keep my feet on the ground."

[redsox907]

AIR EWING

[Agent]

Close game. Ewing went off.

[Soapy]

is that Birdman?

[RMJH4]

AIR EWING

Yeah I had forgotten I had added that in!! Its like going back in time here, wrote this about 15 years ago!

[RMJH4]

Close game. Ewing went off.

Yes he has had a few really big games like that. With scouts on the sidelines now is the time to keep doing it

[RMJH4]

is that Birdman?

No David Andersen that played with the Rockets, Raptors and Hornets. The Australian guy. Think Birdman is with Nuggets in 2012.