Hall of Fame Centre Patrick Ewing trying his luck as a head coach again – NBA News
NBA Hall of Famer and former assistant coach of the Orlando Magic, Patrick Ewing, has confirmed that he will be interviewing with the Portland Trail Blazers for the head coaching job. He revealed this to ESPNNewYork.com on Sunday.
The Blazers were looking for Hall of Famer Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan, but both coaches decided not to take the opportunity. The Blazers now intend to interview assistant coaches Steve Clifford of Orlando, Adrian Griffin of Chicago,
David Joerger of Memphis, Mike Malone of Golden State and Brian Shaw of Indiana.
Ewing had earlier interviewed for the head coaching position with the Charlotte Bobcats, but team owner and friend Michael Jordan informed him that he was not being considered as a candidate. The Bobcats eventually hired St John’s
Head Coach Mike Dunlap.
Ewing said that he is looking to sell himself as a full on head coach rather than just being a big man coach. He played centre in his NBA career and is regarded as one of the best of all time.
“I consider myself a coach. Even though I did play the position and (am) very knowledgeable about the position, I feel that I'm knowledgeable about every position,” said Ewing while speaking at an event at George Washington University,
his former college and team.
While at the event, Ewing was also asked to weigh in on the current U.S Olympic team roster and their chances of winning gold in the Summer Olympics in London.
“The big thing is one, they're small. They're smaller than especially when we played. Then you've got (Kevin) Durant, he can probably play every position on the floor. They're so versatile, their whole team. You've got LeBron (James),
who plays point, forward, center, whatever. Carmelo Anthony, he plays three, four,” said Ewing.
Ewing was then asked then asked to choose between the current roster and the 1992 “Dream Team” of which he was a part of. And as expected, he decided to side with the 1992 team.
Ewing represented team USA in the 1984 and 1992 Olympics, and won gold medal in both appearances. He was the starting centre for the US team in the 1992 “Dream Team”, and said that competing in the Olympics was an “amazing” experience.
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