"Since that day nobody pushed Patrick Ewing around" - Knicks legend sent a message by punching Bill Laimbeer during Olympic tryouts

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Throughout his 17-year NBA career, Patrick Ewing not only (re)transformed the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden into the epicenter of the basketball universe but also repeatedly reminded everyone why he was a player not to be taken lightly. Interestingly, the same was the case when Pat was in high school, and a young Bill Laimbeer learned that lesson the hard way.

Ewing punched Laimbeer in the face

Some would argue that Big Pat was most dominant during his four years at Georgetown, where he led them to three Final Four appearances and a championship in 1984—he averaged 15.3 points on 63% shooting, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. However, the legendary big man put his name on the basketball map when he joined the Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School team.

An ESPN story highlights how Patrick was nearly untouchable playing high school basketball.

"The Jamaican-born Ewing was a dominant prep force... shooting 72 percent from the field as a senior," Ronnie Flores wrote. "In his final three seasons, Rindge & Latin was 77-1, including a 25-0 mark as a senior."

Pat was so impressive that he was invited to the Olympic Team's tryouts in 1980 while still a high school senior. Being so young, some players decided to brush him off physically, including Laimbeer, who had already been drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third round of the 1979 draft. However, the future Knicks legend decided to send a message to everyone in the camp by punching Bill in the face.

"On one of the last days, Bill Laimbeer hit him with one of those dirty chops," said Ewing's high school coach, Mike Jarvis. "Patrick turned around and punched him in the face. Since that day, nobody, but nobody, has pushed Patrick Ewing around."

The beef continued in the NBA

Ewing and Laimbeer were two physically imposing big men who refused to back down from anyone. Their intense rivalry was on full display when their respective teams, the Knicks and the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons, faced off in the 1990 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Things escalated in Game 3 when the two engaged in intense back-and-forths throughout the game. Bill even brought Patrick down to the ground in an ugly manner during the first half.

Pat recorded a career playoff-high 45 points on 58.3% shooting from the field, along with 13 rebounds, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. However, that didn't stop Laimbeer from constantly being in his face throughout the rest of their postseason matchup.

Bill's approach ultimately paid off, with the Pistons winning the series in five games despite Ewing averaging 27.2 points and 9.6 boards per contest. They went on to win the title after beating the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 in the Finals.