Following the first day of training camp, Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford told reporters that Patrick Ewing has returned to the organization, serving as a coaching consultant.
Like the New York Knicks were for over twenty years, the Hornets are now the joke of the NBA. Michael Jordan sold his majority stake during the offseason, but it will take a few seasons for Charlotte to turn things around.
The glimmer of hope for the organization is franchise point guard LaMelo Ball, who inked a five-year, $260 million extension in July. There were real questions and concerns about whether he would want out, and while he can still request a trade down the line, he is locked in as the franchise player. When healthy, Ball is one of the best young guards in the league.
There is also Brandon Miller, Charlotte’s No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of the University of Alabama. Perhaps, one day, the Hornets will wish they used their selection on Scoot Henderson, but only time will tell.
Patrick Ewing knows a thing or two about lottery picks, he was the No. 1 draft pick in 1985, so it will help that he is back in Charlotte as a coaching consultant. The Knicks legend served as a Hornets assistant coach from 2013-17 before he accepted a head coaching job at his alma mater, Georgetown University. Ewing was fired from Georgetown after six seasons on March 9 but is officially back in action.
Mark Williams, the Hornets’ No. 15 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke, will undoubtedly benefit from Patrick Ewing’s presence and tutelage. The 21-year-old averaged 9.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a rookie and will now learn from one of the best centers of all time.
It is not surprising to see Ewing back in Charlotte, mainly because of his close relationship with Steve Clifford. When Ewing was brought on as an assistant 10 years ago, it was Clifford’s first year at the helm. Clifford was fired and replaced by James Borrego in 2018, but after Borrego was dismissed in 2022, Clifford returned.
Maybe one of these days, Patrick Ewing will find himself back at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, working for the Knicks in some capacity. In the meantime, you can find him helping his good friend Steve Clifford and the Hornets.
