Sportsfan Picture Thread

[Dude-LAP]

A11121112111

That story is hilarious. I can't believe anyone fell for it.

@ BPC

We'll be adding '08 this year.

lol, wtf...I never heard of this story, but it sounds pretty cool.  

[Glacier Freeze]

Here's a gallery of Patrick Ewing: Through the Years
1982--Arrival at Georgetown

(Patrick Ewing is part of Hall of Fame Class of 2008.)

1 of most hyped high school players of his era, Ewing lived up to publicity almost immediately upon his arrival on Georgetown's campus. 7-footer led Hoyas to a 30-7 overall record, a Big East championship n' program's 1st Final Four appearance since 1943. Ewing's freshman season ended with a last-minute defeat to North Carolina in national title game but outlook for future was promisin'.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1984--Cuttin' Down Nets

After slumpin' to a 22-10 season durin' Ewing's sophomore year, Hoyas rebounded with another banner season in 1983-84: finishin' with a 33-4 overall record, a Big East championship n' a return trip to Final Four. At Seattle Kingdome, Georgetown defeated Kentucky n' Houston to bring home program's 1st national championship, with Ewing loggin' 18 points, 18 rebounds n' an eye-poppin' 15 blocked shots over 2 games to collect Most Outstandin' Player honors.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1984--1st Olympic Gold

Just months after winnin' NCAA tournament, Ewing competed alongside Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin n' Steve Alford for United States in Summer Olympics. Americans defeated Spain in gold medal game, 96-65, with Ewing contributin' 9 points n' 4 rebounds. "The feeling is equal," remarked Ewing when asked to compare winning gold with NCAA title.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1985--Goliath Falls

Georgetown's team durin' Ewing's senior season might have been even better than previous year's national title squad. Hoyas spent 12 of 17 weeks ranked No. 1 in nation---spendin' other 5 at No. 2---n' lost just 2 regular-season games by a combined 3 points. Hoyas seemed destined for a 2nd straight title n' dynasty status, but somethin' funny happened on way to coronation: 8th-seeded Villanova recorded a 66-64 stunner over Georgetown in national championship game.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1985--Big Prize

With NBA franchises willin' to stop at nothin' to acquire Ewing out of college, NBA instituted a lottery system to dissuade teams from tankin' games. Instead of team with worst record gettin' No. 1 overall pick by default, they'd simply get best chance in a drawin' for 1st selection. Just weeks after hittin' jackpot in 1st Draft Lottery, New York Knicks made Ewing 1st pick in 1985 NBA Draft.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1986--Rookie of Year

With incumbent frontcourt stars Bernard King n' Bill Cartwright sidelined for most of Ewing's rookie season, 7-footer averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds n' 2.1 blocked shots to become 1st New York player to capture NBA Rookie of Year honors since Willis Reed in 1965. 1st-year post man won award despite missing 32 games---along with his 1st All-Star Game---because of a knee injury.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1992--Courageous Captain

Knicks won Atlantic Division title durin' 1991-92 season with a 51-21 record, advancin' to meet Bulls in Eastern Conference Semifinals. With New York facin' elimination in Game 6, Ewing spirited Knicks to an emotional 100-86 victory with 27 points n' 8 rebounds while playin' on a terrible ankle sprain. Center drew comparisons to Willis Reed for his courage---but Knicks would ultimately bow to Bulls in Game 7.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1992--2nd Olympic Gold

FIBA's decision in 1989 to allow NBA players to participate in Olympics led to creation of Dream Team, widely considered greatest assembly of talent in history of basketball. Ewing played alongside luminaries like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson n' Charles Barkley as United States steamrolled to gold medal with an average margin of victory of 43.8 points. Ewing averaged 9.5 points durin' tournament n' paced team with 15 blocked shots.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1993--Bridesmaids Again

Knicks entered 1993 NBA Playoffs as No. 1 seed in East after finishin' season with a 60-22 record, advancin' to a rematch with Bulls in conference finals. New York took a 2-0 series lead n' appeared poised to exorcise their Chicago demons. But Knicks dropped 4 straight games in a collapse remembered for Charles Smith's famous missed lay-ups in wanin' seconds of Game 5.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1994--Eastern Conference Champions

Michael Jordan's abrupt retirement gave Knicks an unexpected boost of confidence enterin' 1993-94 season. Ewing averaged 24.5 points, 11.2 rebounds n' 2.7 blocks n' New York again entered playoffs with best record in East. Knicks defeated Nets, Bulls n' Pacers to advance to their 1st NBA Finals since 1973. But Knicks would fall to Rockets in a dramatic 7-game series despite Ewing's emphatic Game 7 guarantee.  

[Glacier Freeze]

1999--Unlikely Finals Run

Ewing's numbers declined into late '90s as postseason disappointments piled up. But after barely qualifyin' for playoffs as a No. 8 seed durin' lockout-shortened 1999 season, Ewing-led Knicks got a surprisin' upset of top-seeded Miami Heat in 1t round, even though he was fightin' an Achillies tendon injury. New York made an unlikely run to Finals---with Ewing's injury ultimately forcing him to sidelines---but fell to San Antonio Spurs in 5 games.  

[Glacier Freeze]

2000....2002--After New York

Unable to agree with Ewing on a contract extension, Knicks sent him n' Chris Dudley to Seattle in exchange for Glen Rice, Luc Longley, Travis Knight, Vladimir Stepania, Lazaro Borrell, Vernon Maxwell, 2 1st-round picks n' 2 2nd-round picks. Ewing averaged 9.6 points n' 7.4 rebounds for Sonics in 79 games before signin' with Orlando as a free agent in offseason. 39-year-old center averaged 6.0 points n' 4.0 rebounds coming off bench in his 17th n' final NBA season.  

[Glacier Freeze]

2003--Knicks Retire Number

Ewing returned to Madison Square Garden when Knicks retired his No. 33 jersey in an emotional ceremony on Feb. 28, 2003. His legacy in New York remains complex. While some fans criticize his postseason failures n' aloof personality, many others appreciate his tireless work ethic n' excitement his presence returned to Garden.  

[Glacier Freeze]

Here's a gallery at Hakeem Olajuwon: Through the Years
1982....1984--Phi Slama Jama

(Hakeem Olajuwon is part of Hall of Fame Class of 2008.)

Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play under Guy Lewis at University of Houston despite never playin' basketball until age of 15. After red-shirtin' as a freshman, 7-footer teamed with Clyde Drexler to lead Cougars to 3 consecutive Final Fours, includin' appearances in 1983 n' 1984 title games. Olajuwon's Houston teams went by semi-official nickname Phi Slama Jama, a tribute to their fast-breakin' style n' explosive slam dunks.