If symbolism alone could change the Knicks’ fortunes, then the minor trade they made Friday for Patrick Ewing Jr. would make them instant contenders.

Duckworth was a two-time National Basketball Association All-Star who played most of his career for the Portland Trail Blazers.

To reassert its global pre-eminence, the United States men’s basketball team did everything but rewrite the rules and restripe the courts. That last part is coming, though.