Detroit Pistons interview Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing - NBA Update
The Hall of Fame centre and the current assistant coach of the Orlando Magic, Patrick Ewing has been interviewed by the Detroit Pistons for their head coaching vacancy. This was another step for Ewing towards his quest of becoming
a head coach, an opportunity for which he has been waiting for many years now.
This is the latest is a series of interviews that the Pistons have carried out during the past month or so. Ewing is now the fifth candidate to be interviewed for the job following former Hawks coach Mike Woodson, Boston Celtics
assistant Lawrence Frank, Milwaukee Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson and former ‘Bad Boy’ centre Bill Laimbeer, whom they interviewed last week.
Ewing started his coaching career with the Washington Wizards under Doug Collins and developed a good repute over the years as an assistant coach. His former colleagues Doc Rivers, Rick Carlisle, Monty Williams, Mo Cheeks, Scott
Brooks and recently, Mark Jackson (appointed as a head coach of the Golden State Warriors) have successfully made it to the head coach post.
However, Ewing’s struggles are still going on to make it to the next level even after putting in much hard work. Ewing played an important role in 2009, when Magic made it to the National Basketball Association Finals. However,
they suffered the defeat at the hands of the former champions Los Angeles Lakers.
Prior to the 2009 NBA Finals, Ewing was the one who guaranteed that the Magic will beat Boston Celtics in game-7 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Magic didn’t let Ewing down and won the series 4-3.
Over the years Ewing has helped many players develop into stars, which includes Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and league’s leading centre Dwight Howard. Under Patrick, Howard set the new record of blocked shots with nine swats
in an NBA Final game, which was previously held by Ewing.
Stan Van Gundy said about Ewing back in 2010, "To me, he's certainly got the resume and the profile that people should be talking to him. He's spent his time as an assistant. He's done everything you need to do to prepare yourself.
I think he definitely deserves a chance."
In 2008, Ewing expressed his disappointment when the New York Knicks didn’t reach out to him to join them as a head coach. Van Gundy had also criticized the Knicks for not inviting Ewing for interview.
However, Ewing will join the Laimbeer and Sampson group – one with no head coaching experience. Given Pistons’ priority to hire an experience NBA coach, it seems difficult for Ewing to land the post.
Even if does not make it this time, the fact cannot be denied that Ewing is a top class coach and his time will come soon.
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