Jan. 2, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Ewing has interviewed for the head coaching position with the Charlotte Bobcats but it’s doubtful he will be considered for the now open Orlando job.

Back after he interviewed in Charlotte, sources close to the situation said that Ewing had a real good chance to land the job, which is good news for Ewing.

What’s bad is that more teams aren’t calling as Ewing himself feels he’s ready to be an NBA head coach after spending nearly the last decade as an NBA assistant. For some reason, though, Ewing has drawn very little interest around the league and absolutely none from the Knicks.  Whatever the hang-up may be, Ewing spent this season broadcasting his interest in a head-coaching position, and hopefully he lands the job in Charlotte.

Had you told me 20 years ago that one day Ewing would be working for Michael Jordan, I wouldn’t have believed you.

But if Ewing doesn’t land the Bobcats gig, it isn’t the worst thing in the world. While I know he wants to be a head coach, going to work for Jordan, who’s shown no ability as an executive , except the ability to run the Bobcats into the ground wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Then there’s the fact that the Bobcats roster is stripped of talent.

Possibly landing Kentucky’s Anthony Davis could be attractive, as could rookies Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, but other than that the cupboard is bare in Charlotte. That would be the purest definition of one working his way up from the bottom.

However in today’s age of the NBA, coaches aren’t given a long period of time  to make an impact. The NBA is a win now type of league, so taking the Charlotte job could be very risky for Ewing.

Yet if he doesn’t take it, will Ewing ever get the opportunity?

It’s not a good sign that teams haven’t show interest over the years, so who knows what the future holds.

All I know is that Ewing was a leader on the court and is a leader off the court. I can’t speak for what type of X’s and O’s guy he is but if I’m a general manager looking for a leader , I don’t think I could go wrong by hiring Ewing.

Hopefully one day Ewing will get the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

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"What more can I do?" wonders Stan Van Gundy. Glad you asked... (source: Yardbarker.com)

After the Orlando Magic’s loss last night to the Boston Celtics, they’re down a seemingly insurmountable 0-2 and going into enemy territory to play the next two games. The good news? Both losses were close down the stretch. Stan Van Gundy is one of the best coaches in the game, and already he tweaked his line-up a bit after the first game. Seeing how well J.J. Redick performed in the opening stanza, Stan gave him even more run in the second verse, playing him 34 minutes. Yeah, yeah, JJ made the double bone-headed move at the end of the game where he didn’t call timeout as soon as he caught it, and then when he started dribbling he stopped before he crossed mid-court. That said, Redick was again outstanding, and one could equally fault Vince Carter’s free-throw misses or say that the Magic shouldn’t have let themselves get to the point where they needed a last-second save anyway.

Anyway, moving on, what other tweaks can the Magic make? Here are three:

For the rest of my post on the main FanSided page, check out the page here.

Let me explain.

The Boston Celtics are likely to advance as Stern just will not have a Magic/Cavs ECF matchup because of the ratings, but Celtics/Cavs is going to be heated and physical. Watching the Celtics get through each round is painful because I’m having to watch one of the most unlikeable teams in NBA history (I went there) advance with players like Kevin Garnett making a fool of himself on the bench, Rondo decapitating wiggers, and Paul Pierce being Paul Pierce. Oh, and who could forget Glenn “Big Baby” Davis and his immature antics on a nightly basis, he certainly has filled in well for KG in that sense. So if the Celtics repeat, I’ll be sick to my stomach.

The Cavs winning a championship is the last thing we need to have happen because once LeBron gets that ring that drops his likelyhood to bolt to New York significantly. He wants rings and if he gets one in Cleveland then you can expect he’ll stay unless we can lure another superstar to NY to join him. So a Cavs/Celtics ECF is a huge loss in my mind.

The Magic aren’t even relevant anymore as there is no chance of them winning games 6 and 7. Stan Van Gundy is one of the most annoying coaches in the game and for his horrible play calling they deserve to be eliminated. You live and die by your jumpshot in Orlando, even though you have the best post player in the game today. Van Gundy doesn’t fit with Howard and must be gone at the end of the season.

Then we have the Denver Nuggets, the team I’m pulling for, really emerging this postseason as contenders. Melo has played out of his mind, Billups has been his playoff self, and the post presence has put them over the top. This team is scary when they’re hot and with each win you have to like their chances over the shaky Lakers. But how soon do people forget George Karl is their coach, and I really don’t want to see Karl get a ring. I’ve never thought highly of him as a coach and I don’t believe he has been the reason this team is succeeding, it’s Chauncey Billups and his leadership. Maybe I’d be ok with them getting a ring if Karl gives his to Iverson for bringing in one of the best playoff players ever.

The Lakers finish off my list. Oh how confusing this team really is. With Bynum back in the starting lineup they look rejuvenated, but for how long? This team is too inconsistent to consider them the favorites. This team really hasn’t shined like I expected them too thus far and feel this team hasn’t lived up to their potential. Kobe’s window is closing quickly and he must realize this is do or die time and if he doesn’t get his title this season then he may never get his ring without Shaq.

Well, there you have it. My playoff thoughts all discombobulated into one post.