words // Nick Engvall
Signature sneakers seem to be best left for the flashy and exciting guards and forwards in the game. There are only a few centers in the history of the NBA that have had a line of signature shoes that outlasted their smaller, faster, high-flying counterparts in the league. Even more rare is to see a big man with his own sneaker brand, like the early-to-mid-’90s Patrick Ewing Brand.
The 11-time All-Star, and first-ever number one draft pick in NBA history, launched his own Patrick Ewing Brand sneakers around the time he was adding his second gold medal to his overpopulated trophy case. With a list of accomplishments that includes an NCAA Championship, College Player of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year, and the aforementioned All-Star appearances, Ewing was easily deserving of his own signature brand. However, as the legendary New York Knicks center carried the team deep into the Playoffs in the mid-’90s without a title, and injuries became an issue late in his career, the Patrick Ewing Brand departed into the history books after just a few short years in existence.
Today’s Eastbay Memory Lane post takes a look at the peak of the Patrick Ewing sneaker brand. It was in the 1993-1994 season when the moderately priced basketball shoes took up an entire page in the Eastbay catalog with silhouettes like the Patrick Ewing Prizm and Patrick Ewing Boomer.
Although Ewing’s brand didn’t last throughout the years, it was definitely an unforgettable part of sneaker history. It makes you wonder, will another big man in the league ever be able to do the same with the games focus shifted towards players with more flash? Or would a retro of the Patrick Ewing Brand be welcome in today’s sneaker world?
I would have been all over those Black/White Prizms!
They need to bring the Ewings back! ASAP!
where’s the original style at? if they bring back the original ewing kicks with the strap that had the #33 on it back i’m definitely coppin them!!!
it makes you wonder…how many players have seen their careers diminished because of poorly designed athletic shoes…heel raise, lack of natural foot movement, overcushioning etc
i got some of these babies quite fresh
awesome!
We never had a big range of Ewing’s in the UK but remember the Terrain Lo and Prizm Mid’s!
I remember my dad owned a couple pair of these!
i used to play basketball in Ewings!
Please please retro the Ewing’s. The sneaker culture needs these!!!
bring back the Ewings. we need more retro sneakers. they’re better than most of the new sneakers coming out now.
Please bring back the black Patrick Ewing terrain lo, because I had a pair growing up in the early 90′s. I think that they are the baddest shoes in the world.