Ewing lukewarm on Knicks' free-agent chances

Any superstar free agent with questions about what it's like to play home games in New York might consider asking the Knicks' last superstar about his experiences.

But don't expect Patrick Ewing to be quick to promote the 2010 cause for the Knicks.

"I'm working for the Magic, I'm talking about the Magic, you call me for the Magic," Ewing told Newsday on Friday. "I'll answer all the questions you want. All the other stuff, I'm leaving it alone."

Ewing said he does "wish them the best" and added, "Hopefully, they'll be able to get somebody to come and help them."

But regardless of whether it's LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh or Amar'e Stoudemire in the discussion, he isn't optimistic.

"The way the collective-bargaining agreement is, most of these guys, it's in their best interest to stay with their team because they'd make more money," said the man who served as the president of the players' union when the current CBA was established in 1999.

"In terms of LeBron," he said, "if you look at the way the Cavs are now and the way the Knicks are now, [Cleveland is] the better team. So why leave?"

It should be emphasized that Ewing wasn't speaking in angry tones; it was blunt sincerity. He still refers to himself as "a Knick," but his current position as an assistant coach with the Magic - which beat the Knicks, 118-103, on Friday night - changes his perspective on things.

"I'm a Knick, but right now my allegiance is with the Magic," Ewing said. "Right now my goal is to win a championship. That's what I'm focused on. That and improving myself to be a head coach one day."

Ewing, an NBA assistant since 2003-04, has been waiting for that opportunity for the past two years. In the summer of 2008, when Donnie Walsh was hired, Ewing hoped to at least get an interview for what then was a vacant head-coaching position. But he never got it, and Walsh eventually hired Mike D'Antoni. Ewing was disappointed that he couldn't even get an audience with the team with which he spent 15 seasons.

If there is anyone who can offer the most educated opinion on playing in New York - and dealing with the big, bad New York media, which Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady have said is the reason players don't want to join the Knicks - Ewing certainly is the undisputed expert. "You have to have thick skin to play in New York," he said. "But it's the same way in Philadelphia, and there are other cities like that. You just got to have thick skin."

Willis Reed and Walt Frazier hold out hope that the Knicks will be able to attract a great player or two to bring back the glory years, but Ewing seemed completely unaffected.

"All I can say is New York is the mecca,'' he said. "Are they going to get somebody? I have no idea. I'm so far removed from what's going on there, it's not even fair for me to speculate."

Notes & quotes: Despite previous plans, McGrady did not spend any time with his cousin, Magic guard Vince Carter, on this trip. Carter - who had 25 points against the Knicks, as did Dwight Howard - said he hasn't seen McGrady play since he returned to action with the Knicks after the trade deadline, but he expects McGrady to return to form once he is healthy. "You don't all of a sudden lose your ability," Carter said. "He still is a pretty damn good player, in my opinion." . . . Danilo Galllinari had 28 points for the Knicks (28-51).

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