Dave Portnoy Criticizes Knicks Parade for Insulting Patrick Ewing Tribute

The New York Knicks’ championship parade was set to be a jubilant occasion, marking a 53-year drought, but Dave Portnoy took issue with a significant oversight that marred the celebration. The Knicks finally commemorated their first NBA championship since 1973 with a grand parade through Lower Manhattan, marking a major milestone in New York sports history.

However, a misstep during the event sparked outrage when a banner erroneously associated Dillon Jones with Patrick Ewing's retired No. 33. Portnoy did not hold back his criticism in an Instagram reel, expressing his dismay over the incident. “I’m disgusted for all Knicks fans that the lasting memory of the Knicks title run will be the utter disrespect shown to Patrick Ewing,” he stated emphatically.

Portnoy further lambasted the parade organizers, claiming, “Whoever organized this parade has rocks for brains or no brains. And it’s a disgrace, and just one of the worst parades in the history of sports.” The banner featured Jones’ name alongside the iconic number 33, forever linked to Ewing, even though Jones wore No. 1 and had a minimal role during the season.

This blunder was particularly glaring given Ewing's status as one of the franchise's all-time greats. “The disrespect for maybe the second-greatest Knick… to hang a retired number for Jones to take a white glove and slap Patrick Ewing across the face,” Portnoy remarked, highlighting the gravity of the oversight.

Ewing’s No. 33 is celebrated in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, symbolizing his pivotal role in the Knicks’ history during the 1980s and 1990s, as an 11-time All-Star and the face of the franchise during their last successful era. The parade aimed to honor the current champions while also recognizing the legacy of past heroes, but the mix-up surrounding Ewing’s number overshadowed what should have been a day of unity and pride for Knicks fans.