When the NBA opened its doors for another season, 13 head coaching changes had taken place around the league, nine with men in their first-ever top billing assignment.
Not one of them was named Patrick Ewing.
“I don’t know why,” said one opposing team exec who was not looking for a head coach this last offseason. “Maybe he’s not a good interview. He certainly has paid his dues.”
Well, the interview process could not have hurt Ewing this time. He did not receive a single interview. Not only was he not a finalist anywhere, he wasn’t even a candidate.
“I can’t even worry about it anymore. All I can do is just keep working,” said Ewing, an assistant to first-time head coach Steve Clifford in Charlotte.