“Do you think that, if given the chance to go back in time and make their pick again knowing the way both of their careers played out, the NY Knicks would still choose Patrick Ewing? Or would they choose Karl Malone this time?”
It’s a question Shea Serrano poses (in a footnote, no less) in his 2017 book Basketball (And Other Things). Yes, this book is four years old, and yes, I’m just getting around to reading it.
(I should also add that I’m thoroughly enjoying it. If you are interested in buying a copy, check out The Lit.