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The Ewing Theory is a sports theory created by David Cirilli and popularized, as well as expanded, by ESPN.com/Page 2 columnist Bill Simmons. The basic principle of the theory is that a sports team, after losing a "star" player, will thrive despite the loss of the said star.

The theory is named after Patrick Ewing, a basketball player. It was observed that, throughout Ewing's NBA career, his teams, specifically the New York Knicks, played significantly better without Ewing.

Qualifications

The qualifications of the Ewing Theory are as follows:

1. The "star" player must enjoy significant media and fan attention.

2. The star's team cannot win anything significant (usually meaning a championship) while said player is on the team.

3. After the star leaves the team, either through retirement, trade or injury; the media writes the team off. The team ends up playing significantly better without the player then they did with him or her and thrives much to the suprise of the experts, sometimes resulting in a championship.

(Although not a main principle, it is assumed that the star puts up great numbers statistically but chokes in big games.)

Ewing Theory candidates

Some Ewing Theory candidates include

  • Patrick Ewing: The namesake of the Ewing Theory. His most prominent Ewing Theory moment was when the New York Knicks make it to the NBA Finals without Ewing in 1999 when many thought the lack of his inside presence would doom the team. Contrary to misconceptions, Ewing's college career does not provide strong support for the Ewing Theory. In his four seasons at Georgetown, the Hoyas made the Final Four three times (winning the title once); the Hoyas have not returned to the Final Four since Ewing graduated in 1985, despite the later presence of stars such as Allen Iverson at Georgetown. However, in certain games, Georgetown was perceived by some to have played better when Ewing was out due to injury or foul trouble.
  • Grant Hill: Detroit Pistons fans were devastated when star player Grant Hill left the team via free agency to the Orlando Magic. However, this led to the Pistons acquiring Ben Wallace in a sign-and-trade deal for Hill. Due to devastating ankle injuries, Hill only played 48 games in the next four seasons, while Wallace became an All-Star.
  • Eric Cantona: the stellar playmaker of the Manchester United soccer club left his club devastated when he retired early at age 31. However, this move made way for Roy Keane to become a most impressive new helmsman, freed a certain David Beckham to become the unrivalled playmaker and also jump-started the careers of Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs, who became better when the all-dominant leader left.
  • Wayne Rooney: the Everton forward was widely acknowledged as one of the most talented soccer players in recent history since scoring on his début against then-champions Arsenal in the 2002-2003 season. In his first full season in 2003-2004, Everton finished one place off relegation. Rooney was transferred to Manchester United at the end of that season. The next season, Everton finished fourth in the Premiership and qualified for the Champions League.
  • Jerry Stackhouse: The Detroit Pistons traded leading scorer Stackhouse for Rip Hamilton. Hamilton became a more reliable and efficient scorer at a fraction of Stackhouse's salary as the Pistons began contending.
  • Alex Rodriguez: The Seattle Mariners lose their star shortstop Rodriguez to free agency in 2001 and enjoy massive success the following year, winning a record number of games while the Texas Rangers failed to significantly improve despite the addition of Rodriguez and his impressive statistics. The Rangers eventually traded him to the New York Yankees, who have failed to win a World Series since acquiring him, while the previously last-place Rangers contend for the division crown the following season. Rodriguez has continued to solidify his qualifications for the Ewing Theory by failing to be clutch in key moments in the Yankee's playoff runs, including a classing ball-slapping gaffe in game six of the 2004 ALCS.
  • Peyton Manning: The first season after the school's legendary quarterback leaves, Tee Martin leads the Tennessee Volunteers to a perfect 13-0 season and defeats the Florida State Seminoles for the 1998 national championship. Currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Manning has consistently led his team to the playoffs, but has yet to appear in a Super Bowl. His primary nemesis in the NFL has been the New England Patriots, which defeated Manning's Colts in two AFC Championship games, and beaten the Colts every time Manning had started before the Colts finally broke through in the 2005 regular season.
  • Dominique Wilkins: In 1983, the year after Wilkins leaves the University of Georgia, the Bulldogs, with virtually the same lineup apart from Wilkins, make their first and so far only Final Four. Throughout his NBA career, Wilkins had a pattern of producing great statistical performances despite this not translating to team success.
  • Michael Jordan: During his tenure as an owner/player with the Washington Wizards, he was not able to lead the team to a playoff appearance. Two seasons after he retired, the Wizards won their first playoff series in 23 years, defeating the Chicago Bulls in the first round.

Other applications

The Ewing Theory is most commonly applied to team sports. However, the basic principles can be applied in other contexts as well:

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Despite a diehard fanbase, Buffy failed to attract a mainstream audience for the WB network, and eventually moves to the rival UPN network. The WB network substitutes a new, more cost-effective show called Gilmore Girls in Buffy's old timeslot, which pulls in similar ratings.
  • Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Because ABC used the show in so many prime time slots, it left the network with a deficit of unique programming when the show's popularity faded in 2001. In the fall of 2004, the network experienced a revitalization, as new series Lost and Desperate Housewives became hits.

Possible future candidates

  • Isiah Thomas: Despite tremendous coverage by the New York media due to his history as a hall of fame player, the Knicks general manager has yet to turn the New York Knicks into a perennial contender, causing speculation as to whether his firing and replacement by another general manager could improve the Knicks.
  • Mischa Barton: Some speculation suggests that Barton might leave the Fox show The O.C. to pursue a movie career. She is a prime candidate for the Ewing Theory due to a high interest in her personal life by fans and the media, and yet The O.C. is currently stalemated in the ratings wars on Thursday nights.
  • Star Trek: Enterprise: Despite having the support of many Star Trek fans as well as significant media coverage, the show had low ratings and a large budget. Whether the cancellation of this show will lead to more success for UPN remains to be seen.
  • Terrell Owens: One of the most talented and highest scoring receivers in the NFL, Owens was part of the 2005 NFC championship Philadelphia Eagles team. The Eagles played in Super Bowl XXXIX and lost to the New England Patriots. Subsequently, Owens was suspended in the middle of the 2005/2006 season by coach Andy Reid for personal conduct deemed detrimental to the team.
  • Barry Bonds: Arguably one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Bonds has never won a World Series despite hitting over 700 home runs and winning seven National League MVP awards. His age and deteriorating health make it likely that he will retire soon without a World Series title, leaving the door open for the San Francisco Giants to win one without him.
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