If you took the time out to browse your local library long enough, chances are you would eventually come across a book from the late ’90s or early 2000s either released by or about NBA stars of the time. These may seem outdated today with the internet, but I definitely remember having books about guys like Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway lying around when I was growing up.
Perhaps the best of all of these books is Patrick Ewing’s In the Paint which has been unjustifiably ignored over the last 17 years. The book was recently rediscovered by Bay Area writer Channing Kennedy, and he shared it on Twitter.
Despite what you may have guessed, In the Paint is not about Ewing’s time dominating the NBA’s three-second area. No, it is literally about painting, and it is the best.
https://twitter.com/CKdotbiz/status/753717116914675712
In the book, Ewing reveals that since he had art on his credit card, people have started asking him for paintings as well as autographs, which makes no sense (how did people get ahold of his credit card and why does this mean he’s a good artist), but we will go with it.
Here’s an excerpt from the former Knicks superstar about how much he enjoyed picking up a paintbrush when he wasn’t becoming an NBA legend.
“I’m also in the paint when I’m off the basketball court. I’ve loved to paint since I was your age. I like to paint landscapes or outdoor scenes from places I’ve been or pictures I’ve seen. I’m a visual person. If I see something, I have to paint it.”
The best part about all of this is that In the Paint is available on Amazon for ONE CENT, and there’s no better use for a penny.
