Patrick Ewing recalls how a decision from Rick Pitino made Kareem Abdul-Jabbar school him: "Rick, what did I tell you?"
Basketball Network
Last updated: May 26, 2026
The article discusses how aging basketball stars can still dominate despite perceptions of decline. It uses the example of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the final years of his career and how coach Rick Pitino underestimated him, leading to his defeat against Patrick Ewing. The piece also touches upon Ewing's respect for Abdul-Jabbar's unique skills.
- This article highlights the common progression in basketball where age eventually impacts even dominant players. It focuses on the latter stages of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career, noting his reduced scoring averages and the perception that he was past his prime. Despite this, coach Rick Pitino's decision not to double-team Abdul-Jabbar against the New York Knicks proved to be a critical error. Patrick Ewing recounted how an "aging" Abdul-Jabbar still effectively used his signature skyhook, scoring six consecutive times over Ewing. During the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons, Abdul-Jabbar's final years, he outscored Ewing and maintained respectable averages against the Knicks. Ewing himself acknowledged Abdul-Jabbar's greatness, expressing disappointment that he isn't more highly regarded in GOAT discussions. Furthermore, Ewing revealed his inability to replicate Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook, recognizing it as a unique skill that looked effortless but was incredibly difficult to master. The story serves as a reminder of Abdul-Jabbar's enduring impact even when past his peak.
