Former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing said he would love the opportunity to interview for the club's head-coaching vacancy.
"You know, this is a great fit for me," Ewing said before the Charlotte Hornets' 111-97 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, according to reports. "I have my number up there [in the Garden rafters]. I still live in the area. If I get an opportunity for an interview, I'd be happy."
Ewing is the lead assistant coach for the Hornets and has been an assistant for four teams over the past 13 seasons. He has expressed frustration over a lack of opportunity to advance to a head-coaching position.
"I've been doing this, what, 13 years now?" he said. "I see people who don't have the same amount on their résumé as I do and still have gotten opportunities. It is what it is. All I can do is continue to work, continue to get better at my craft, and hopefully one day somebody will give me an opportunity and I'll show that I'm ready."
Ewing has interviewed for just two head-coaching positions over the past 13 years. He turned down an opportunity to coach the Knicks' D-League team in 2012.
It appears unlikely that Ewing will be considered for the Knicks' opening. The Knicks are giving strong consideration to making interim coach Kurt Rambis their full-time coach, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Rambis, who has served as the Knicks' interim coach since Derek Fisher was fired Feb. 8, is team president Phil Jackson's preferred choice. Sources say Jackson is pushing for a new multiyear deal for Rambis despite New York's 8-17 record since the coaching change.
Information from ESPN's Ian Begley and Marc Stein was used in this report.
