Patrick Ewing is not happy about being stopped by MSG security: 'Everybody in this building should know who the hell I am'

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NBA legend and Georgetown men's basketball head coach Patrick Ewing has a gripe with Madison Square Garden's security.

Speaking from the Big East Tournament on Thursday, Ewing told reporters that he had been stopped by MSG security numerous times. As the all-time leading scorer of the professional basketball team that plays in that arena, Ewing felt he should have been recognized.

"I thought this was my building," Ewing said. "And I feel terrible that I'm getting stopped, accosted, asked for passes. Everybody in this building should know who the hell I am. And I'm getting stopped — I can't move around this building."

Ewing joked that he might have to call MSG chairman and New York Knicks owner James Dolan to complain about the security.

"Is my number in the rafters or what?" Ewing said.

Ewing's No. 33 jersey is indeed retired in the MSG rafters. He is the Knicks' all-time leader in games, minutes, points, rebounds, steals, and blocks.

Of course, former players have had runs-in with building security before. Ewing's former teammate Charles Oakley was arrested at a game in 2017 for allegedly harassing Dolan. He was ordered to leave, and when he resisted, he was thrown to the floor and handcuffed by security. Oakley filed a lawsuit against Dolan and the MSG company, alleging assault, battery, and defamation, as well as other allegations.

Many users on Twitter took shots at MSG security for not recognizing the Knicks' most recognizable player.

Ewing's Hoyas beat Villanova, 72-71, on Thursday. After, Ewing had a simple message in his postgame quote: "This is my house."

 

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