Sonics coach Paul Westphal took a big risk in welcoming Ewing whose creaky knees sound like they’re ready to snap. He brought a medical case to Seattle and the fans never forgave him for it. After a 6-9 start, Westphal was gone. Too bad Ewing stayed–in the NBA, it’s easier to fire a coach than barnacle a player.
So assistant Nate McMillan inherited Westphal’s job. Known as Mr. Sonic, McMillan played 12 years for Seattle and is a fan favorite. Unlike Westphal who came in from the cold, McMillan is a hometown hero. Fans will be patient with him.
Ewing, 38, is ready for pasture. Van Gundy knew the Knicks would be better off without the former Georgetown pouter–Ewing’s just too slow to keep pace with greyhounds like Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. Westphal figured Ewing could be the low-post threat to complement Gary Payton’s perimeter game. What he didn’t figure was while Payton might resemble John Stockton’s skills, Ewing is no Karl Malone.
Westphal was taken for a ride. Ewing is damaged goods, plain and simple. He’s not even averaging in double figures–the first time in the last 15 years he’s norming single digits. And poor Ewing can hardly pivot in the low block. He can still block a few shots–after all, he’s seven-foot tall. But it’s become increasingly evident that Ewing no longer has the lateral movement to challenge slashers like Steve Francis or Allen Iverson.
Since McMillan’s arrival, the Sonics has experienced a mini-boom, highlighted by two wins over the Los Angeles Lakers (121-88, 103-95) and a 105-93 decision over Portland.
Last Saturday, the Sonics hosted the Houston Rockets before 15,730 fans at the Key Arena. It wasn’t a sellout–the capacity is 17,072 in the $120 million building that sits on the campus of a 14-acre entertainment complex on the north side of downtown. But the fans cheered the Sonics lustily.
I took a side trip here from Portland to visit my brother-in-law Robert and his family for the weekend. The NBA gave us five tickets, at $110 each, to watch the game.
Maybe, Ewing was tired. The night before, he grabbed 16 rebounds in Seattle’s 103-95 road victory over the Lakers. Shaquille O’Neal outshot Ewing, 28-10, but McMillan didn’t care–the important thing was the Sonics won.
Against Houston, Ewing was pitiful. He scored a quiet six points, four in the opening minutes, and hauled down seven rebounds in 27 minutes–he logged 38 in the Lakers game. Ewing was badly outplayed by Hakeem Olajuwon who played like he was 10 years younger than 37. Olajuwon erupted for 17 points and had five blocked shots, three on Vin Baker within a 20-second span in the late going.
Sonics mascot Squatch, who looks like a grizzly, tried to fire up the fans and energize the hometeam but to no avail. Francis, blanked in the first period, hit 11 in the fourth to lead the Rockets to a 111-104 triumph.
Payton singlehandedly took charge down the stretch, stringing up six straight points to push the Sonics on top, 99-96, with about four minutes left. Then Francis scored to slice the deficit to a point. Ewing delivered a weak pass to Payton at the post and the turnover triggered a 7-0 blast that iced the contest.
Ewing limped back to the bench after picking up his fifth personal and sending Maurice Taylor to the line for the killer free throws. Taylor hit twice to make it 107-100. A few fans applauded Ewing as he slumped on the bench–he didn’t deserve it.
The loss spoiled Payton’s milestone feat–he became the Sonics’ leading all-time scorer during the game, eclipsing Fred Brown’s total. Payton wound up with 35 points, five rebounds and 15 assists. Despite his efforts, the Sonics were blasted to bits by the Rockets as Ewing proved he no longer has the tools to bring Seattle back to the top.
No question, Seattle must find an antidote to O’Neal when the playoffs come around. McMillan is giving Jelani McCoy extended minutes–possibly to try him out, while lifting Baker off the bench. If Seattle hopes to make it to the Finals, either Baker or McCoy must step up at center. Ewing just won’t do.
Van Gundy looks like he’s got the last laugh.