The Sons Of Ewing And Karl Are Released, NBA Nepotists Cringe In Fear

It’s not everyday you see the progeny of two NBA legends cast off into the wilderness of the D-league. But yesterday was such a day, as the respective children of Hall of Fame New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing and Denver Nuggets coach George Karl were both released from their respective teams.
Whatever happened to nepotism in this town?

The Knicks already had 15 guaranteed contracts. Their only cheap alternative to waiving Ewing was to cut guard Anthony Roberson, a 3-point specialist, but the Knicks decided they needed an extra shooter.

“I think it was felt that in the immediate future that potentially, shooting could become a problem for this team,” said Donnie Walsh, the team president.

Shooting is not among Ewing’s talents just yet. He is a superior athlete and a good open-court player with sharp instincts. But the Knicks regard Ewing, a rookie from Georgetown, as a work in progress. They are also loaded at shooting guard and small forward, and it is unlikely that Ewing would have contributed much this season.

“My feeling on Patrick is that he will be an N.B.A. player,” Walsh said. “If I can go back and get him back again, I’d try to do it. I think he’s got a great upside. And I think that as he develops, he’s going to be a valuable player, both defensively and offensively.”

Upside? What could be more valuable to a struggling franchise than some novelty jersey sales, Donnie? Knick fans just missed out on a whole year of either hailing Patrick Ewing Jr. as the second coming of his pappy. Or, if the season had fallen apart as quickly as the last few had, they coulda spent their time in the Garden complaining that young Patrick “just ain’t his father.” They could have been satisfied in glorious victory or smug self-defeat. It’s a win-win.
The Los Angeles Lakers also cut guard Coby Karl following a fairly unimpressive pre-season. But maybe dad jinxed him. George Karl has been joking during the pre-season that he was worried his son might win a title before he did. Looks like the title chase won’t be the subject of a Karl family argument over the holidays this year.

Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, averaged 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds and 4.2 minutes as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Lakers. He also played in 17 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals.

The move left the Lakers with 14 players on their roster entering Tuesday night’s season opener against Portland.

Hey, neither had a particularly stellar line. But come on! Can’t a guy get by on his father’s name in the NBA? They do it on Wall Street and in D.C. all the time. We know the Lakers still have Luke Walton, son of Hall of Famer and broadcasting prick Bill Walton. And we think there might be a Bibby or two kicking around somewhere. But trading on your dad’s resume has taken a major blow here in favor of dreaded merit.
The Knicks Let Go of Another Ewing, for Now [NY Times]
Lakers cut son of Nuggets’ Karl to get roster to 14 [Sportsline]
Image [Partmule]