Apr 15, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing smiles as he sits on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The Bobcats started their coaching search process not too long ago, but they’re not in any hurry to make a decision.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer put it this way: “The front office isn’t under any time pressure to replace Paul Silas, so don’t expect any imminent decision.”

In the collective mind of the World Wide Web, Patrick Ewing seems to be the front runner, but other viable candidates are out there.

Up to this point, Charlotte has interviewed Ewing, Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Nate Tibbets, Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone, and St. Johns assistant head coach Mike Dunlap.

Other possible interviewees include former Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillian and Dave Joerger of the Memphis Grizzlies. Also, Jerry Sloan still hasn’t ruled out coaching in Charlotte… That does not mean he’s ruled it in, either.

Out of the candidates already interviewed, I’d probably go with Ewing if I were Charlotte. It seems like the Bobcats are going to build from the inside out (Biyombo, Anthony Davis/Thomas Robinson/Andre Drummond) and Ewing played on one of the best defensive teams of the 1990s with New York.

Mike Malone wouldn’t be a bad choice, though. He’s one of the faster rising assistant coaches in the league and he’ll probably end up with a head coaching gig sooner rather than later.