I think I see why people think Patrick Ewing is going to be a great hire, if it weren't for his motivation Georgetown may have lost by 50 tonight.
I think what people said/think is, he's not as illogical a hire as Mullin because he has previous coaching experience, something many of us like in our coaches. And he started off better than Mullin by constructing a well rounded and experienced staff, given that he had never coached at the college level before, something you can not say about a staff that included Greg St. Jean. How that hire pans out, and even the Mullin hire though there's a bigger body of evidence to work with, is still TBD.
If that is what the point is then it iscridiculous on a different number of ways.
Also being an NBA assistant as opposed to Mullin's long history in the NBA in various roles is marginally different.
And regardless, they were basing it on what they have seen combined with his background. Both incredibly dubious claims...
Note to self. Don't hire Fordham96. He doesn't know the difference between experience and lack thereof, nor between the many varied roles that folks serve in a company.
But seriously, here's Mullin's post playing experience. Note no role in coaching or player development, though he did have a role in scouting, ergo his ability to identify transcendent talent like that which STJ has put on the floor during his tenure (I kid because I love, besides we know Matt is doing all the "scouting" for recruits) :
Front office positions
After his playing days were over, Mullin was hired by the Warriors as a special assistant, dealing with daily business operations. On April 22, 2004, he was named Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the team.[10] On May 11, 2009, the team announced that Mullin's expiring contract would not be renewed.[11] He was replaced by Larry Riley as the Warriors' General Manager.
Mullin began working with the Sacramento Kings in May 2013 when Vivek Ranadivé became owner.[12] In September 2013, the Sacramento Kings hired him as an advisor.[13] As an advisor, Mullin's duties were not only to provide advice to Ranadive and D'Alessandro on player transactions, but to also supervise the organization's college and overseas scouting program.[14]