Former New York Knick Patrick Ewing is getting another shot at being a head coach, this time with the Sacramento Kings.
Hall of Famer and New York Knicks‘ legend Patrick Ewing has been an assistant coach in the NBA for 14 years with four different teams. He’s been patiently waiting for his shot to be a head coach. Ewing might night have to wait much longer.
Sources on @TheVertical. Charlotte's Patrick Ewing will interview for Sacramento Kings head coaching job. https://t.co/8jsdiHFo2s
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 1, 2016
Per Woj, (Adian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports), Ewing will interview to be the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
He’s gained respect over the last three years for his work as Steve Clifford’s Associate Head Coach with the Charlotte Hornets.
Ewing has helped develop top big men like Dwight Howard in Orlando, Yao Ming in Houston, and Al Jefferson in Charlotte.
Per Woj, what makes Ewing intriguing to Sacramento is the potential ability to command the respect of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. Just ask George Karl, that’s not an easy task. If Cousins won’t listen to Ewing, he’s never going to listen to anyone.
As great as it would be for Ewing to finally be rewarded for his hard work, we know that he was hoping for a different job. He was hoping to return to New York.
As recently as Apr. 7, Ewing told the New York Daily News that he would be interested in interviewing for the Knicks’ job. It was likely a pipe dream of course, as he not only wasn’t familiar with the t-word, but Ewing is also Jeff Van Gundy guy. Both are huge no-no’s with Phil Jackson.
Ewing deserves an opportunity to be a head coach. For some reason there is a stigma attached to his name. Perhaps it’s because he is an ex-player who got his start working under his friends and ex-coaches. Some in the league may feel he never paid his dues. By now, he’s more than waited his turn.
After 14 years in the coaching business, the Kings would be smart to take a shot on Ewing. If Jackson wasn’t so stubborn, maybe he could see that too.
