Nearly 16 years after playing his final game in a New York Knicks uniform, it’s about time to provide Patrick Ewing a true opportunity.
By Jeremy Fialkow
Before half of you lose your mind, and the other half grin with excitement, let’s start by saying Patrick Ewing may not be the top option to replace Derek Fisher/Kurt Rambis as Head Coach of the New York Knicks.
Nevertheless, it’s become evident over the past decade, from one Knicks coaching change to the next, that, maybe Patrick, the seemingly lifelong assistant coach, deserved a chance.
Of course, there are other options out there. Other very great options, depends on the route President Phil Jackson decides to go.
You can have Tom Thibodeau, the former coach of the Chicago Bulls, who’s probably the best option out there, at the moment. Yet, he’s known for giving his stars maximum minutes and grinding them to the brink of injury, a la Derrick Rose.
Still, his record of 255-139 in just five season at the helm in Chicago is nothing to look past. He also has major ties to the city of New York, being an assistant coach during the most successful period of the franchise in nearly three decades.
Or, what about David Blatt? The man who was screwed out of his job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after leading them to the second-best record in the league (30-11) and best in the Eastern Conference by this year’s All-Star Break
Brought in to Cleveland in order to grow a young, talented unit with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Then, forced to join the likes of LeBron James, who subsequently demanded a trade for Kevin Love, in exchange for No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
And, Phil Jackson, the Zen Master, please…please do not add anyone from the Jackson coaching tree.
No thanks.
Rambis?
Heck no.
Knickerbocker fans, if you’re looking for someone to lead, whose presence alone will the command the respect of all players, even aging superstar Carmelo Anthony, then look no further than Mr. Ewing.
Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing is a top-5 legend of all-time in the Big Apple, and is capable of becoming the next New York Knicks head coach.
Drafted 1st overall by New York in the 1985 NBA draft, following a historic career at the University of Georgetown, Ewing found early and sustained success as a Knick.
There’s a reason his #33 jersey is forever immortalized in the rafters of the World’s Most Famous Arena, MSG.
In 17 NBA seasons -15 seasons with the Knicks – Ewing averaged nearly a double double, with 21.0 PPG and 9.8 RPG.
[graphiq id=”7F2kGDDHLjn” title=”Patrick Ewing Career Points, Rebounds and Assists per Game” width=”500″ height=”550″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/7F2kGDDHLjn” link=”http://basketball-players.pointafter.com/l/9313/Patrick-Ewing” link_text=”Patrick Ewing Career Points, Rebounds and Assists per Game | PointAfter”]It seems, though, every time the Knicks are in need of new coach (see: Mike D’Antoni, Mike Woodson, Fisher, etc), Patrick Ewing’s name is always thrown in the mix, but never really gets considered.
Of course, there’s the other side that claims there’s a reason he hasn’t gotten a head coaching position yet, whether it’s because he’s not ready, or is simply not a fit for a particular system.
The 11-time NBA All-Star and 1986 Rookie of the Year, Ewing, is likely the people’s candidate to become head coach of the New York Knicks, at least if you’re a fan.
Everyone, and their mother, would love to see the big machine that is Ewing roaming the sidelines, hopefully leading his Knicks to victory.
Not to mention, Patrick himself wants to be back in the Mecca of the Basketball, after an unfortunate separate during the twilight of his career.
“I loved the people in New York, they showed that they loved me, and it was disapointing I didn’t finish it there.”
Aside from a disappointing invitation to the coach the Knicks’ D-League affiliate back in 2012, Owner James Dolan has never showed true proclivity toward making Ewing the coach.
Ole’ Patrick has had plenty of experience to finally take complete hold as Head Coach of a professional franchise.
He’s currently labeled as the “Associate Head Coach” for Michael Jordan‘s Charlotte Hornets, and served long stints as an assistant with the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, and Washington Wizards.
He believes himself to be victim of something Ewing refers to as a sort of “big-man bias.” Seeing as how all the player-turned-coaches these days were guards back in the playing day: Mark Jackson, Jason Kidd, Derek Fisher, Steve Kerr, etc.
Now’s as good a time as ever to give the 53-year-old former center an opportunity to lead his original team, from the city that loves him, back to the promised land.
