Once one of, if not the best center in the NBA, Patrick Ewing's career has been on the spiral downward ever since he left the NBA's big apple.  How bad has it done for the big fella?  In a recent game against the Indiana Pacers Ewing failed to enter a game for the first time in his career while being on the active roster, breaking a streak of 1,175 consecutive games he had played in which he was healthy.

"I'm going to get a stat sheet and frame it," a glum Ewing said, only half joking. "But yeah, it's disappointing."

Things may get worse for the ex-Knick as well, the big man may also sit out today's game against the team where he spent the first 15 years of his career.

"I think it was the right decision," Rivers said of not playing Ewing Friday. "It would have been a tough matchup for Patrick. We decided to go with (DeClercq) and (Reid). Otherwise, we'll go with Patrick when we can."

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that Ewing's career may come to a close. Two of Ewing's closest friends, Mark Jackson and Herb Williams, predict that may be the case if he's not traded or released.

Williams, who spoke by phone to Ewing yesterday morning and planned to have dinner with him last night in Orlando, reported the Ewing was shocked and disappointed and warned Rivers it's not a good idea to have an unhappy Ewing with the playoffs around the bend.

Jackson said Ewing is ready to retire if things don't change. Ewing visits the Garden possibly for the last time April 9. "I think if it was like this, yes [he'll retire,]" Jackson said before the Knicks flew to Disney City. "He's a guy with tremendous heart, tremendous pride. He's a warrior. He's not doing it for the money. So I think if it was like this, yes. If it was like this, he'll probably call it quits. But I'm sure he feels he can help some teams. He can help them."

Ewing has one year and $2.25 million left on his contract. Expect superagent David Falk to demand a summer trade like he did to the Knicks in 2000