Patrick Ewing has been a NBA assistant coach for decade. But despite paying his dues, the Hall of Famer’s name has yet to be mentioned when filling head coaching vacancies.
Ewing attributes the lack of opportunity to the fact that he is a big man in a league that now favors guards.
“There probably is a big man perception,” Ewing told Yahoo Sports. “They think that all guards are the best thing. It’s a guard-oriented league right now, but it is what it is.”
Even though he’s seen guards like Mark Jackson and Jason Kidd get head coaching jobs with no NBA coaching experience, Ewing says he harbors no ill feelings.
“Mark has always shown he knew the game. He’s a very good coach,” said Ewing, who played with Jackson in New York. “J-Kidd got an opportunity to coach and he’s shown he can be a very good coach. All it takes is someone to believe in you. One day I’ll have the opportunity.”
Being continuously overlooked despite ten years of assistant coaching experience and a Hall of Fame playing career is a complete slap in the face, especially when you see guys like Jason Kidd getting the Nets job right after retirement.
Kudos to Ewing for remaining optimistic.