New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing wants to return to the Big Apple, expressing strong interest in coaching his former team.
The Knicks, who will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, are expected to look for a new coach this summer after parting ways with Derek Fisher.
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Ewing, who played 15 seasons in New York before moving to Seattle and Orlando in the final two years of his playing career, expressed hope that he will be considered for the Knicks coaching position in the offseason.
"You know, this is a great fit for me. I have my number up there," Ewing told reporters via New York Daily News. "I still live in the area. If I get an opportunity for an interview I'd be happy."
Ewing is currently the associate head coach the Charlotte Hornets, who gave the Knicks a 111-97 beating on Thursday at the Madison Square Garden. The longtime assistant coach thinks it is time for him to become a head coach in the league, expressing frustration over the lack of chances for him in recent years.
"I've been doing this, what, 13 years now? I see people who don't have the same amount on their resume as I do and still have gotten opportunities," Ewing said.
However, the Knicks are unlikely to consider Ewing this summer unless the Knicks part ways with team president Phil Jackson or if the 11-time champion coach decides to move away from his preferred triangle offense.
According to ESPN, Jackson is leaning towards naming interim coach Kurt Rambis as full-time coach, saying that his former assistant is ready to handle the team on a full-time basis.
It is worth noting, though, that the Knicks could still look for a coach outside of Jackson's coaching tree if owner James Dolan pushes for it, especially after superstar Carmelo Anthony voiced out his desire to have a say on the coaching decision in the offseason.
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"I would love to have some type of input when it comes to that," Anthony said on Wednesday via Sporting News. "I think you have to. I think you have to have some kind of input or dialogue or whatever word you want to use. I think you have to have that."
Free agent coaches Tim Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are continuously being linked to the Knicks but all three are not expected to run the triangle if hired.
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