The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly interviewed Patrick Ewing for their vacant head coaching position, according to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger. The job was opened earlier this week when the team somewhat surprisingly fired head coach Dave Joerger after leading them to the seventh seed with a host of major injuries.
Ewing is the assistant to Steve Clifford with the Charlotte Hornets and has previously worked as an assistant for the Wizards, Rockets, and Magic. The former Knicks great has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2002 and has often been cited in rumors about open head coaching positions but has never been able to secure one. He had previously interviewed with the Sacramento Kings before their vacancy was filled this week by Joerger and will almost certainly be a target for the recently opened position with the Orlando Magic.
The Grizzlies firing Joerger when they did has left them with few options as far as head coaches go. However, there are still some very notable names available with Frank Vogel being arguably the best one after his contract was shockingly not renewed by the Indiana Pacers. The Grizzlies have reportedly also set their sights on recently fired Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek.
Memphis is at a crucial point and their offseason will determine a lot going forward. Mike Conley is a free agent and the Grizzlies’ Grit-and-Grind era may be over. But before they can focus on free agency and even the draft, the team must find its next head coach.
Patrick Ewing should be in major consideration for the job. He has a wealth of experience on the sidelines and has been raved about by a lot of respected NBA personalities. It seems high time for him to finally get a job as a head coach to prove his worth as one and Memphis is as good of an option as any.
