I know this has been beaten to death in other threads, but I wanted to poll what people thought of him becoming an assistant.
While I would love to have Hakeem or Moses, neither of those people has expressed an interest in coaching (that I know of). Plus, Ewing already knows what JVG is going to put in place and as such, is more in tune with what JVG will want out of his big men. I hope Ewing works as much with Eddie as he does with Yao.
Is the Ewing job official or just a consideration? I would hate for Hakeem not to come and show Yao some things. I don't really care for Ewing too much.
I voted for YES! But I'm actually undecided....WTF?!? Well yeah. I'm having a crisis!!! Okay. Ewing...is all right. I don't know why everyone hates him. I think he'd be OK. Olajuwon or Malone would be great too...but I don't think they can speak English very well...won't work out too well...or maybe it will. It will be kinda weird with Olajuwon as an assistant coach....back with the Rockets. Moses Malone...well...he hasn't really expressed interest. He said that he wanted to work with Yao...but WHAT?!? Nothing happened. He said that like last year. Ewing says he wants to come here....desperate. I don't mind having him. Nothing wrong with that. As long as we don't pay him too much. But....it's Les's money anyways. I'd rather have...MARIO ELIE! Also....ASSISTANT. "Patrick Ewing as an assiStant coach" For some reason...on the homepage.......it asks the same question. And 73% say "YES. He's an inside-out player who could help Yao's game." Maybe because there isn't an "Undecided" option. Oh well!
Can we have Mario and JVG's assistants along with Ewing? I'd like to have all five. I voted yes to the big man.
I'm not happy about it. He seems like a bad fit for Yao. I'd prefer Kareem. Van Gundy has a relationship with Ewing, so I see how he feels he can get what he wants from him, but I'd prefer a more open minded approach. It's good to see they do want a big man coach for Yao at any rate. I still think they should organize a Rockets big man's camp, where Moses and Hakeem could make an apperance, along with any others that want to show up and drill Yao and Eddie and MoT and get their picture in the paper. I hope VG brings in Mario Elie.
use the resources you have. i say get him if we can. its not like hed be here for any more than a couple years id think. the fact that hed want to coach for houston of all teams shows he doesnt hate us or anything stupid like that. the more the merrier
What is wrong with Ewing: Let's me ask you this, If Hakeem was in his second year right now, would you want him learning from Ewing? No! Because Hakeem had unusually great footwork and finesse for a power player. Yao has shown that same skill set around the basket. he has already shown some dream like moves against, Robinson, Duncan, Divacs and Shaq. Ewing had the good basic spot up jumper and good low post positioning and a decent jump hook. He basically was a star because he was 7', athletic and a good shooter. Yao can go further. Get Yao tapes of Hakeem, Wilt and Shaq... I think Moses Malone would be a better r mentor for tenacious rebounding, positioning and toughness in the paint.
Honestly, I don't know how good of a teacher or coach Ewing would make, but I can't get past my hatred of him to want to find out. I really, really, really hope he doesn't become an assistant coach for this team. I heard Mario Elie on the radio the other day talking about how he would love to get into coaching. I wish Van Gundy would hire him.
I prefer someone closer to the organization. Im sure Ewing has good intentions but what message would hiring him send to the outgoing coaching staff? The rivalry we used to have with this guy.. The idea this could even be a possibility highlights the era we are leaving and now entering. I guess if JVG is intent on hiring him then so be it. But I think there might be better options out there.
Ewing was a big center who could get good position and shoot a little baseline jumper. I HATE Patrick Ewing and would never forgive the rockets for making him an assistant. He did not play the same type of game Yao plays. I think bringing in Patrick would hurt Yao's development. I just don't see how any rocket fan could be ok with having him come to Houston.
I really like to Ewing as the guy who can show all the defensive moves to Yao, since he was also once a Center for Gundy!It's a great move.
Like it or not. It's very likely Patrick Ewing will be our new assistant. I would also like to see Mario Elli as an assistant. I don't understand why there's so much Ewing bashing. When all is said and done, he'll be a hall of famer & he's one of NBA's 50 greatest player of all time. He's arguably as good as Hakeem Olajuwan. He has the heart of warrior and he's got tons to teach to our big man. Sure, I would love to see all these great big man teaching everything they know to Yao. (Hakeem, Moses, Ewing, Russell, Walton,etc) As long as Yao keep his good attitude, he's going to learn a great deal from any of above great big men.
So now we have the Knicks ex head coach, and there are rumors of Ewing and Spree as well I am quite happy w/ Van Gundy, but if that includes Ewing and Spree as well, i want Rudy back. Especially since we didnt get the ex Rocket in Dunleavy, i think it is good to go for Elie, another guy who has publicly said he want the job, even if its as an extra assistant. Imagine the impact he would have on Cat and Posey
I agree with a few of the thoughts on this board. Ewing is a totally different kind of player than Yao. Ewing only dreamed of being able to actually move his feet in a cohesive manner. Jabbar, Sampson, Dream, any of those would be a much better teacher for Yao. Now, Mo T and Eddie could possibly learn to play the post better with Ewing.
