If McDermott wins NPOY where will he rank in Big East lore?

[XBand15]

First saying the Patrick Ewing is overrated is just stupid. Considering he was an 11x all-star, and leads the Knicks in scoring. Oh, and he's in the hall of fame. But to answer the original question, I think he should be accepted as a great player in big east history, but you have to consider the fact that he only played in the Big East one year. Its just not the same as guys who played their whole college career. Ewing should always be ranked higher than McDermott. I would think Mullin would have to be put over him unless Creighton win a National Championship. Don't get me wrong, Doug McDermott is a phenomenal college basketball player, but he will never be the best in Big East history. Top 5 seems the most realistic at best.

[JohnnyBoy]

Playing 3/4 years in the MVC and even his first year in possibly the weakest Big East ever (including future) I think he will be seen as a very good player. But the Big East has had lots of very good players. You are talking about historic programs where legends have come from. I think his lore will have a lot to do with if he can translate as a good NBA player. Guys who are great in college and suck in the NBA are all over the place. So if he goes to the NBA and gets totally dominated which is a real possibility (low athleticism and strength), then he will be forgotten after 10 years. If he turns into a Chris Mullin, obviously he will become a legend. I could absolutely be wrong, but I don't see him doing much in the NBA. He already showed trouble with big, athletic players regardless of his 39 points. He was open for many of those shots. In the NBA they will close out before he can get set, and they will be right in his face looking down at him. Great college player, but the judges are still out until we see what he can do in the NBA. I think he will be known as one of the best pure shooters but if his game doesn't translate to the NBA it won't mean as much.

[Bill Marsh]

Ultimately McDermott will be judged on how far he takes his team. POY is rarely remembered very long. But national champions, Final Fours, and the players who took them there are.

If Creighton wins a NC or Final Four, McDermott will be remembered in Big East lore the way that Carmelo is. If his NBA career is the second coming of Larry Bird, his stature will be enhanced. If Creighton falls short of any of that and if his NBA career is ordinary, he'll be remembered as one more of many big stars that this conference has produced. The next chapter is yet to be written.

[notkirkcameron]

I will grant you that he was a great college basketball player. In the NBA very, very over-rated. Maybe in the top 50 centers ever. maybe.

I freaking dare you to name 50 NBA centers better than Patrick Ewing.

Hall of Famer
NBA Top 50 Players
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Two-time NBA Eastern Conference Champion
Rookie of the Year
Knicks All-Time leading scorer
11-time NBA All-Star
7-time All-NBA First Team or Second Team
21 ppg career average
9.8 rbg career average
2.4 bpg career average
6th-place All-time for blocks
18th-place All-time scoring
24th-place All-time rebounding

And I'm saying this as a guy who grew up a Bulls fan; hating Patrick Ewing.

[dmac80]

Just something for message board fodder that a buddy and I were debating. If Doug McDermott were to win the national POY award and become a 3 time All-American, where would he rank in the pantheon of Big East greats? His argument is that he won't be an All-American this year because of the step up in competition.

It's been a long time since the league had a NPOY so it would be great to see, but it's a tricky question because 2 of his 3 AA years were outside the Big East. In your opinion would he be up there with Ewing and Mullin? Next tier down or not at all?

Depends on what he does in the NCAA and BET. If he makes a lot of noise at either or both of those he'll have a place as a great, knowing of course the he only played 1 year in the BE. If he's 1 and done at both of them then he'll be remembered as a great player but not much else, certainly not a legend. Also think if he has a strong NBA career that could impact it as well.

[dmac80]

I will grant you that he was a great college basketball player. In the NBA very, very over-rated. Maybe in the top 50 centers ever. maybe.

I freaking dare you to name 50 NBA centers better than Patrick Ewing.

Hall of Famer
NBA Top 50 Players
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Rookie of the Year
Knicks All-Time leading scorer
11-time NBA All-Star
7-time All-NBA First Team or Second Team
21 ppg career average
9.8 rbg career average
2.4 bpg career average
6th-place All-time for blocks
18th-place All-time scoring
24th-palce All-time rebounding

And I'm saying this as a guy who grew up a Bulls fan; hating Patrick Ewing.

I grew up post Bird and the celtics blew so as a young kid I jumped on the bulls bandwagon (I know I know). I remember always having faith that MJ would get it done, and he did, but Ewing used to drive me crazy. Guy was incredible in his prime. Those early 90s battles with the Knicks were epic.

[CPJays]

Just something for message board fodder that a buddy and I were debating. If Doug McDermott were to win the national POY award and become a 3 time All-American, where would he rank in the pantheon of Big East greats? His argument is that he won't be an All-American this year because of the step up in competition.

It's been a long time since the league had a NPOY so it would be great to see, but it's a tricky question because 2 of his 3 AA years were outside the Big East. In your opinion would he be up there with Ewing and Mullin? Next tier down or not at all?

Depends on what he does in the NCAA and BET. If he makes a lot of noise at either or both of those he'll have a place as a great, knowing of course the he only played 1 year in the BE. If he's 1 and done at both of them then he'll be remembered as a great player but not much else, certainly not a legend. Also think if he has a strong NBA career that could impact it as well.

This is the truth. BE legends are made at Madison Square Garden during the conference tourney.

[CTYankee10]

Dougie is a great player - that being said, Ewing was one of the top 15 college players of all time. I think Ewing's college legacy is even greater than his HOF pro career. He made 2 championship games, winning one. If Doug wins Player of the Year.

He absolutely, without a doubt has to win the BE Tournament to be considered an all-time great in BE lore. If he makes a Final Four, I put him on par with a Marcus Camby type, a really-really good college player who will be an above-average pro. I place him in the Big East scale.

Better than Doug (no order, just brainstorming, same below)
Ewing
Chris Mullin
Ray Allen
Kerry Kittles
Allen Iverson
Rip Hamilton
Walter Berry
Pearl Washington
Carmelo Anthony

---DOUG----

Worse than Doug
Terry Dehere
Ryan Gomes
Malik Sealy
Randy Foye
Alonzo Mourning
DeJuan Blair
Troy Bell


Honestly, with a good tournament showing, I would compare his legacy to Kemba Walker

[ChelseaFriar]

Ewing actually led the Hoyas to 3 Championship games, winning one.

Regarding Camby, he didn't put up huge NBA numbers but played 16 or 17 seasons. Pretty amazing.

How about a little Erick Murdock in the "Worse than Doug" category!

[hoopseinstein23]

Patrick Ewing was given BEATDOWNS on a regular basis by the best centers of that time MJ owned him...literally...I would not have been surprised to see a leach around his neck and Jordan walking him in the playground like a beaten shelter mut. He never won the NBA championship and even with great players around him simply was manhandled by Akeem. Nobody manhandled Jordan, Bird or magic. Ewing was a subpar loser who was a decent college player on a loaded team. I remember Graham.