Although retired from the NBA for almost a decade, former Knick icon and hall of famer Patrick Ewing seems to be having his shots at a head coaching job blocked. His latest rejecetion came on Wednesday from former rival, “Space Jam” co-star, and close friend, Michael Jordan.
Bobcats owner Michael Jordan has eliminated Patrick Ewing from consideration for the head coaching job in Charlotte. Photo: biography.com
I must admit that the news came as a complete surprise to me because I didn’t feel that any of the other candidates posed a severe threat to Ewing. I mean, Jeff Van Gundy, Pat Riley, or Phil Jackson had not been considered for the Bobcat’s position, so it wasn’t like the competetion was stiff or anything-although sources are now saying that Jerry Sloan has now been added to the list, and more than likely will bring his hall of fame credentials to Charlotte.
“Jordan has been subject to biting criticism for hiring too many cronies and ‘yes’ men through the years, and merely inviting Ewing for the interview started to inspire those kind of shots at Jordan again.” This was the reasoning for Patrick’s elimination this morning. If you’ll remember he impressed Detroit general manager Joe Dumars in an interview for the Pistons’ head coaching job last spring. But apparently not enough to hire him…
It’s beginning to look like Patrick’s quest has turned into the ‘Willie Randolph Syndrome’ all over again, for as with Willie, the process took an inordinate amount of time and interviewing before he finally landed a mangerial gig; which, it should be noted, was quite a successful one. Remember he finished his 2nd season with the Mets at a league’s best 97-65 and missed going to the World Series by one game.
Ex Met manager Willie Randolph, currently the third base coach of the upstart Baltimore Orioles. Photo: Wikopedia
Mark Jackson’s rookie year with the Warriors was less memorable, but unlike Randolph who coached with the Yankees for 11 years, Jackson had no prior coaching experience whatsoever. Yet another reason why someone should give the ‘Big Guy’ a shot.
And now, with Stan Van Gundy’s dismissal from the Orlando Magic, it appears that Ewing will be looking for any coaching job.
I’ll try to be optimistic about this. I mean if Mark Jackson can go from the broadcast booth to head coach of the Golden State Warriors, then there has to be hope for Patrick and his nine years of being an assitant coach with Houston and Orlando as well as his ability to work with and groom the tempermental megastar Dwight Howard.
As the Magic’s assistant coach, Ewing has been credited with the grooming of Dwight Howard’s career. Photo: orlandosentenial.com
Hopefully, perspective owners/G.M.’s will not come up with any more reasons NOT to hire him; just reasons for why they WANT to hire him! And hopefully it will be sooner rather later…
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