In a powerful and emotionally charged new release, Netflix has unveiled “The Underdog,” a long-anticipated documentary that explores the complex, often untold story of New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing. More than just a profile of a Hall of Fame basketball player, the film dives deep into the personal and professional journey of Ewing, offering rare archival footage, raw interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments that paint a vivid portrait of one of the NBA’s most iconic and misunderstood figures.
For decades, Patrick Ewing has been seen as the face of the Knicks’ golden era—a dominant force in the paint, a warrior in countless battles at Madison Square Garden, and a symbol of hope for a city hungry for an NBA championship. But behind the statistics, All-Star selections, and highlight reels lies a deeper story, one of perseverance, doubt, and quiet resilience. “The Underdog” aims to finally tell that story in full.
The documentary opens with a look at Ewing’s early life in Jamaica and his move to the United States, where he quickly became a basketball prodigy. Through interviews with former coaches, family members, and teammates, the film chronicles Ewing’s rise at Georgetown University under legendary coach John Thompson. There, Ewing helped redefine college basketball while facing relentless racism, media scrutiny, and pressure rarely placed on young athletes.
As the documentary transitions to Ewing’s NBA career, viewers are taken inside the high-stakes world of 1980s and 1990s professional basketball. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft—a selection that sparked its own conspiracy theories—Ewing entered the league with sky-high expectations. He would spend 15 years with the Knicks, becoming an 11-time All-Star and one of the most dominant centers of his generation.
However, “The Underdog” doesn’t shy away from the disappointments and heartbreaks that also defined Ewing’s career. From the Knicks’ crushing loss to the Houston Rockets in the 1994 NBA Finals to the bitter rivalry with Michael Jordan’s Bulls, the film unpacks how Ewing shouldered blame, endured injuries, and remained stoic amid endless criticism. The documentary also addresses the lack of recognition Ewing often received compared to his contemporaries—a silence that many say was racially and culturally rooted.
What makes “The Underdog” especially moving is its access to never-before-seen footage and candid interviews with Ewing himself. Now older and reflecting on his career with humility and insight, Ewing discusses the emotional toll of being the cornerstone of a franchise that never quite reached the ultimate prize. Yet, despite the lack of a championship ring, the film argues that Ewing’s legacy is one of quiet greatness—of a man who carried New York on his back, night after night, with pride and purpose.
Ultimately, “The Underdog” is more than a sports documentary. It is a celebration of grit, an honest reckoning with fame and failure, and a long-overdue tribute to one of basketball’s true legends. For Knicks fans, basketball lovers, and anyone drawn to stories of resilience, this is essential viewing.
