The Knicks needed more shooters than defenders and that’s why Patrick Ewing Jr. is out and Shawne Williams is in.
Regal bloodlines took a backseat yesterday when the Knicks last night announced Ewing’s son had been waived — the second time in three years he became the final cut of Knicks training camp.
Ewing Jr. was outplayed by Williams, an athletic 6-foot-9 small forward who stays as the 15th man after being signed two days before training camp opened.
Williams, whose had multiple marijuana-related arrests, was a mid-first-round pick by Donnie Walsh at Indiana four years ago, though even he admitted Larry Bird pushed for the pick.
According to a team source, Williams was deemed the better offensive player than Ewing and outside shooter.
Williams shot 57 percent in preseason in 4.8 minutes per game. Ewing, who did not play last season because of knee surgery, is the better defender, brings more intangibles as a solid teammate and also had a $100,000 guarantee.
Williams scored 7 points in 4:22 in the preseason finale in Montreal Friday. Ironically, Ewing fed Williams for a 3-point play.
“Both have played well,” coach Mike D’Antoni said after Friday’s game. “It will be a tough choice. I will meet with Donnie Sunday. Both made cases. You could go either way and not be wrong.”
Politics was at work, too, in this battle for the final roster spot. While Patrick Ewing is arguably the franchise’s greatest player and lobbied for his son to get a roster spot, Williams’ agent is Happy Walters, who also represents Amar’e Stoudemire. (Ewing’s agent is the renowned David Falk).
There was a huge outcry two years ago when Ewing was waived in favor of Anthony Roberson, but likely won’t be this time.
The decision to keep Williams over Ewing is indication the Knicks are worried about their perimeter shooting and unconcerned about Williams’ past transgressions.