The Washington Wizards have been in the headlines the past few days. Earlier this week, Washington traded for former Los Angeles Laker Deandre Ayton. Then on Saturday, the team announced an NBA legend joining their sideline for the upcoming season. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Patrick Ewing will be serving as an assistant under head coach Brian Keefe. Meaning, he will be leaving his ambassador role for the New York Knicks to return to coaching after his exit from Georgetown in 2023.
Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing to Join Wizards Coaching Staff
Just weeks after his Knicks won the NBA Championship, Ewing will be heading back to the NBA sidelines for the first time since the 2016-17 season. The 7-footer was an elite player, earning 11 All-Star selections, seven All-NBA selections, and a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. However, his coaching career is just as impressive, reaching the postseason nine times across his 14 coaching seasons in the NBA.
Ewing will become a great and experienced mentor to Washington’s rising young core, led by Alex Sarr and number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa. This is what Charania had to say about the Wizards signing the Knicks legend:
“The Wizards value Ewing’s presence and legendary stature, and his ability to communicate with veteran stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young and their promising young nucleus, led by No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.”
Ewing’s Coaching Career
The Hall of Famer has been around the NBA and college sidelines since he retired in 2002. After his retirement, he joined the Wizards’ coaching staff, and from 2002 to 2017, he worked with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets.
After his impressive NBA tenure, Ewing decided to take the head coach role at his alma mater, Georgetown University. In his six seasons as the Hoyas coach, Ewing led them to a 2021 Big East Tournament Championship and a berth to the NCAA tournament. However, his time with Georgetown was anything but perfect and ended with him losing the job, finishing with a 75-109 record in 184 games.
Now back in D.C, Ewing has a chance to get back into the postseason with Keefe and the young Wizards. While he hasn’t always found success, there is no denying that the Hall of Famer will be an outstanding leader and great mentor for every player in Washington.
Ewing Is Not the Only Addition
As exciting as an addition as Ewing is, he’s not the only new face entering Washington this season. Just an hour after announcing Ewing’s return, Charania added that Steve Clifford will be joining the organization as a coaching advisor. Clifford’s coaching resume spans nearly two and a half decades, and over the past few seasons, he’s been in an advisory role for the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.
Over Clifford’s 23 coaching seasons, he’s worked with several organizations: the Knicks, Rockets, Magic, Lakers and Hornets. Ewing served as his superior in Orlando before they flipped roles when both headed to Charlotte.
New Pressure On Keefe
With Ewing and Clifford joining Washington, there is even more pressure on Keefe as he heads into his first season with real expectations. During his two and a half seasons as the Wizards’ head coach, the team hasn’t wanted to win, and Keefe has excelled in doing that. Heading into his third full season, this is Keefe’s first and potentially only opportunity to show the Wizards front office that he’s more than their tank commander.
At times last year, fans questioned Keefe’s future in D.C. His lineups were confusing and did not prioritize the young core that Washington desperately needed to build up. This upcoming season, the Wizards can and certainly will try to compete as the roster is arguably one of the best the franchise has ever had. With that, there are mighty expectations that sit firmly on Keefe, and only time will tell if he’s truly Washington’s future coach.
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