Patrick Ewing talks coaching, Heat

By Jane McManus
ESPNNewYork.com
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NEW YORK -- Patrick Ewing said he doesn't know New York Knicks owner James Dolan very well, but given his aspirations to be a head coach some day in the NBA, the former Knicks center said that could change.

"I should probably pick up the phone and give him a call," said Ewing, in New York to tape a July 1 episode of the YES Network's CenterStage with Michael Kay.

Now an assistant coach with Orlando, the Hall of Fame player congratulated former teammate Mark Jackson for being named Golden State's new coach, touched upon LeBron James' struggles in the NBA Finals and lamented the lack of a title in his 15 seasons in New York.

"I would have loved to have a second superstar," Ewing said. "Maybe we could have won a championship."

Right now, Ewing seems to have little connecting him to the Knicks' owners. He still spends the offseason in the area, and his children still attend New Jersey schools. Despite considering this home, he is rarely at Madison Square Garden these days and doesn't talk with Dolan.

"I really don't know him very well," said Ewing, drafted by the Knicks with the first pick of the 1985 draft. "I think it'd be great if I got to know him."

Ewing said he is happy in Orlando, where he coached Dwight Howard, but he doesn't want to be pigeonholed as being a big man's coach only. He hasn't had any formal interviews for head coaching jobs, but that's where he'd like to wind up.

"It's disappointing that I haven't moved to the next step to get a head coaching job, but all I can do is keep going and move on," Ewing said.

I don't think we'll see Mike replaced with Pat, but always good to hear from the Big Fella.

Are you surprised he's best friends with a guy who made a mockery of his team rather than an all-time franchise legend?