Knicks coaching candidate Tom Thibodeau got an endorsement from one of the biggest names in franchise history: Patrick Ewing.
Ewing was asked about Thibodeau during an interview Wednesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Starting Lineup show.
Here’s what he said about Thibodeau, who was a Knicks assistant when Ewing played in New York and a Rockets assistant with Ewing under ex-Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy:
“I think Tom’s a great coach. I had the opportunity to (play for him), him being on the (Knicks) staff when I played and also work with him. He’s been around a lot of years. He knows the game in and out. He’s going to do everything that he needs to do in terms of having his team prepared to play every night. I think he’d be a great candidate for that job.”
Thibodeau is one of 11 known candidates who are interviewing for the Knicks’ head-coaching job.
Here are the other known candidates: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosely, San Antonio Spurs assistant Will Hardy, Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown, Chicago Bulls assistant Chris Fleming, Philadelphia 76ers lead assistant Ime Udoka, Orlando Magic assistant Pat Delany, ex-Knicks head coach Mike Woodson and former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Interim head coach Mike Miller has also interviewed for the job.
Team president Leon Rose was thoroughly impressed by Miller in the brief time he spent around the coach this season (prior to the suspension of the year due to coronavirus), as SNY reported.
Miller will likely get an offer to be an assistant -- or to take on another role in the organization -- if Rose doesn't name him head coach.
The candidates had initial conversations with a group that included Rose, GM Scott Perry and Vice President of Basketball and Strategic Planning Brock Aller, per SNY sources. Those conversations took place before the Knicks officially hired William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley as an executive vice president and senior advisor. Wesley, who represented coaches while with CAA, is expected to be part of the Knicks’ group talking to candidates in future interviews, per sources.
Candidates are expected to have a second, more in depth conversation with the Knicks before the club makes a final decision.
Rose said last week in an interview with MSG Network’s Mike Breen that he’d like to have a new coach in place by the end of the month, before the NBA re-starts its regular season in Orlando.
It is unclear if the Knicks are interviewing anyone else for their opening.
Spurs assistant Becky Hammon was described last month by a source as a name to keep an eye on for a potential interview, as Newsday first reported.
Agents and coaches who have a vested interest in the Knicks' process have long believed that Rose is most likely to hire Thibodeau. But there is legitimate internal support for Atkinson, as SNY reported last week. Kentucky’s John Calipari would also be a strong candidate for the job if he chose to leave Kentucky. But there is no indication that Calipari would consider making the jump to the NBA again.
If they aren't hired as the head coach, Woodson, Miller and other candidates outside of Atkinson and Thibodeau could get consideration as assistants on the Knicks’ next coaching staff.
In the Sirius XM interview with hosts Frank Isola and Sarah Kustok, Ewing also talked about his experience with COVID-19. Ewing, the Georgetown head coach, has recovered from his bout with the virus.
“I wasn’t in pain,” Ewing said. “I was sick. I had a fever, just didn’t feel like myself, weak. I didn’t have it as bad as some other people. Everyone’s symptoms are different. Shortness of breath, I wasn’t able to breathe very well. Thank God for the nurses and doctors. They did an outstanding job of getting me back on my feet.
“You think you’re invincible. especially when you’re young you think you’re invincible. I was doing everything that was being said, wearing my mask, (keeping) social distance, keep away from others and I still caught it. So you don’t know when it’s going to strike. You try to do the best you can to keep yourself safe and I’m telling everybody that they need to keep themselves safe, but sometimes it’s hard to do.”