Rockets' Van Gundy hires Ewing as an assistant coach
By Times Wires
Published July 3, 2003
HOUSTON - Patrick Ewing and Jeff Van Gundy are together again, now as coaches.
Van Gundy, the new Rockets coach, hired Ewing as an assistant Wednesday. Ewing was the star center under Van Gundy with the Knicks.
In 1994 Ewing and Van Gundy, then an assistant on Pat Riley's staff, lost in seven games to the Rockets in the NBA Finals.
As an assistant with the Wizards last season, he was released from the final two months of that contract Wednesday.
Tom Thibodeau, who spent seven seasons as a coach with the Knicks, Steve Clifford and Andy Greer also were hired as assistants. Clifford and Greer coached with the Knicks last season.
Van Gundy took over as Rockets coach after Rudy Tomjanovich resigned after last season.
The team options will not be exercised on guard Tito Maddox and forward Terence Morris.
BUCKS: T.J. Ford became the first of this year's first-round draft picks to sign, agreeing to a four-year contract. The 6-foot point guard from Texas was the eighth selection.
NUGGETS: General manager Kiki Vandeweghe met for about two hours with Clippers swingman Corey Maggette one day after meeting with the Heat's Alonzo Mourning. Vandeweghe declined to comment on either meeting. The Nuggets, with $18-million in salary cap room, are expected to be one of the most active teams in free agency this summer. Despite the meetings with Mourning, the Nuggets are believed to have the Clippers' Michael Olowokandi at the top of their list among free-agent centers.
PACERS: Team president Donnie Walsh confirmed that Jermaine O'Neal has scheduled visits to San Antonio and Dallas, and Brad Miller's agent said his client was considering other teams.
WARRIORS: Jim Boylen and David Fizdale were hired as assistants for Eric Musselman's staff.
INDIANA 79, PHOENIX 68: Tamika Catchings struggled (7-for-18) but scored 10 of her 26 in the final 2:36 for the host Fever.
CONNECTICUT 64, CLEVELAND 57: Katie Douglas scored 16 in the second half as the host Sun snapped a three-game skid.
SACRAMENTO 83, WASHINGTON 62: Yolanda Griffith scored 20 to help send the visiting Mystics to their seventh straight loss.
