Knicks legend Patrick Ewing is hoping this time owner James Dolan gives him a shout if he conducts a full-scale coaching search this offseason. The Big Fella said he’s ready to coach the Knicks.
Last time the Knicks filled their head-coaching position, four years ago, with Mike D’Antoni, Ewing didn’t even get a phone call for an interview.
“Definitely I hope so,’’ Ewing told The Post last night before the Knicks hosted the Magic. “My goal is to be a head coach. I hope to get interviews everywhere where there’s a a job open. I think Woodie’s (Mike Woodson) a fine coach. He’s done an outstanding jobs in the eight games he’s taken over. But any opportunity I get, I’m ready.’’
Arguably the greatest Knick of all time, Ewing is in his eighth season as an NBA assistant coach, the past five with Orlando.
Woodson took over for D’Antoni two weeks ago as an interim coach but if he continues to win at this 8-1 pace, he’ll be back. Ewing got his first head-coaching interview last summer with Detroit ownership and GM Joe Dumars. That job went to former Nets coach Lawrence Frank.
The Wizards, in the city Ewing starred at Georgetown, and Blazers will also be in search of a new coach.
“I hope. I hope,’’ Ewing said. “ There already three teams without a head coach. I’m hoping get an interview with all of them and hope I land one. That’s why I work and study. I’m waiting for the opportunity.’’
Ewing won’t delve into the Donnie Walsh slight.
“That’s water under the bridge now,’’ Ewing said. “I worry about the future.’’
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Ewing may be likelier to get an interview than Jeff Van Gundy, at the Garden last night for ESPN. Yesterday on the Michael Kay Show, Van Gundy was asked if he wanted the Knicks job and he said Woodson should get it.
“You know me better than talk about somebody else’s job,’’ the former Knicks coach said. “When I was interim coach, I looked down the people commenting on whether they would take the job, It was not very cool. I certainly wouldn’t do that. I said from the time (Woodson) took over, the guy is an outstanding coach. Mike Woodson, to me if he hadn’t been an assistant , he’d be a great candidate to be head coach. I would suspect he’ll be the next coach.’’
Van Gundy also disputed he didn’t like owner James Dolan, saying “He was a fine owner. He gave us every resource we needed to try to win.’’
Van Gundy admitted on Miami radio with Sid Rosenberg regret that he quit early in the 2001-2002 season in similar fashion to D’Antoni and didn’t do it before the season started.
“I thought it was the right move but it was at the wrong time,’’ Van Gundy said. “I wish in retrospect I did it before the season.’’
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Jeremy Lin (knee) is hardly a lock for tomorrow in Atlanta. Lin wants his knee to be 100 percent so he won’t have to deal with the issue in the playoffs.