Basketball News, NBA, Playoff news, watch NBA Play off games online for free

So how does Patrick Ewing factor into the Knicks' search for a head coach?

The Hall of Fame center, who has put in his time as an NBA assistant coach, has aspirations to be a head coach. When he was in New York with the Orlando Magic on April 6, Ewing said, "I'm always pursuing it." Yesterday, he was asked if he has heard from the Knicks about the job.

"Nobody has talked to me," Ewing told the Orlando Sentinel.

The proper protocol would involve Donnie Walsh seeking permission from the Magic to speak with Ewing, which, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, hasn't happened yet. Ewing has made it clear that he would not promote himself, so it will be up to Walsh to reach out to Ewing if he's at all interested in checking his credentials for the job.

At least before he settles on Mark Jackson, who in the early going appears to be not only the front-runner but the only runner in the race.

"I think it would probably be best if they came to me," said Ewing, who is in his fourth season as an NBA assistant coach and is known for his work in mentoring all-star big men Dwight Howard and Yao Ming.

There is a thought that if Jackson gets the job, he might reach out to former teammate Ewing to see if he'd want to join him in New York. Despite an outcry from fans to bring back the franchise's greatest player - Isiah Thomas had no interest last summer when Ewing was looking for a job - it is not a given that Jackson would make the call, nor would Ewing accept the invitation to leave Howard to work with Eddy Curry.

Experienced candidates are dropping out of contention to take other jobs. The Bucks hired Scott Skiles yesterday and Rick Carlisle is considered the favorite for the Bulls' opening.

Even Jeff Van Gundy put a quick end to any talk of an unlikely return to the franchise he coached from 1996-2001. The chances of Van Gundy's coming in as Jackson's top assistant are as likely as Thomas working off the rest of his contract coaching the Liberty.

Jackson and Walsh have yet to have a formal interview, but such formalities are easy to schedule and could be done sometime this week.

The only other viable candidate for the job at this point is Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau, who might get a call from the Bulls. Though Boston is in the midst of a playoff series with Atlanta, coach Doc Rivers said Sunday that he would allow his assistants to interview for vacant positions during the playoffs.

"Obviously, if they really want them, they'll wait," Rivers told reporters in Boston. "It just depends on the situation. The only thing I won't allow is someone to be named as a head coach until we're done."

Walsh yesterday met with Herb Williams to discuss the longtime assistant coach's future with the team. Williams would like to be considered a serious candidate as head coach, but at the very least he wanted to know what his status would be if someone else got the job. Williams has survived three coaching changes so far.