Patrick Ewing away from New York City is like Batman away from Gotham City, the two just belong together like peanut butter and jelly.  As Ewing?s second season away from the city that never sleeps draws to a close there is another comic book hero which could be referred upon here; Ewing away from New York is much like Superman near kryptonite.

Post-Knicks Patrick has not been a pretty sight.  After being traded from the Knicks to the Seattle Supersonics in a four team trade including players Glen Rice and Luc Longley Ewing?s productivity has been on the decline, reaching a level so low that this week against the Indiana Pacers Patrick received his first ever ?Did Not Play ? Coaches Decision? in his career.  

"Yeah, I was surprised I didn't play on Friday,? Ewing said, according to Greg Logan of Newsday. "I guess it happens to the best of us. I just shrugged it off.?

The once almighty Godzilla of Gotham has rapidly transformed into a pre-school Barney, and it has happened under two men he has respected.  Seattle head coach Nate McMillan and Doc Rivers of Orlando both had much higher hopes for Ewing when first acquired, but age and declining skills have had a hand in changing the outcome.  But how much has Ewing?s skills declined?  Logan, in his article, suggests that they have declined so far that Rivers is ?politely nudging Ewing toward door?.  As we mentioned earlier Ewing did not play against the Indiana Pacers, a game which the Magic won, and with usual starter Horace Grant out with injury Rivers chose forward Don Ried to start over Ewing against the team that he created his legacy against last night, the New York Knicks.

"If he retires, it's because he sees himself, at times, not helping teams as much as he would like to,? Rivers said. "This is two years in a row. It happened in Seattle, and now it's happening here and is done by guys who respect him.

"It's a decision he's going to have to come to. I don't think any of us can help him. If he asks my opinion, I'll give it to him.?

Logan suggests that as Ewing spoke there was a poignant quality to his comments that hinted at how much he has missed New York after demanding the trade that sent him to Seattle last season.

"I wish them the best except for when they play against us,? said Ewing, who signed with the Magic as a free agent this season. "Even though I play for the Magic now and I played for Seattle last year, I still consider myself a Knick in many ways. I've been hearing, ?For the New York Knicks . . .' for 15 years. It's hard to just switch allegiance.?

And on no longer playing for the Knicks?

"Sometimes you think about it,? Ewing said. "But I just think, ?I'm here in Orlando, playing for the Magic, and my job is to help this team win a championship.' Hopefully, we'll get that opportunity this year.?

A Magician he certainly is, and unlike the New York Knicks he will be heading to the playoffs this season.  Rivers hinted that Ewing could still play a valuable role in the playoffs, referring to the slower, half court style, which Ewing took exception to.

"That's a load of crap,? Ewing said. "Halfcourt game, fullcourt game, it doesn't make a difference. It's all about playing. I've been a player. I'm still a player.?