The Bobcats will ask the Magic for permission to interview Patrick Ewing for their head coaching vacancy.

Ewing would welcome the opportunity to interview.

"No one's called yet, but I'd definitely have some interest in any job," Ewing said. "I've, no doubt, put in my apprenticeship working as an assistant coach for nine years now, so I'm just looking for an opportunity."

Ewing is a good friend of Michael Jordan, owner of the Bobcats.

Ewing interviewed last offseason with the Pistons.

The Bobcats have received permission from the Warriors to interview Mike Malone for their head coaching vacancy, according to sources.

Malone will meet with Rod Higgins and Rich Cho on Tuesday.

Malone made $750,000 as Golden State's assistant coach last season. Malone was the runner-up for the job behind Mark Jackson.

Kemba Walker is pleased with the progress he made during his rookie season.

"I felt like I got a lot better," Walker said Monday. "But with all the losing, it was a little frustrating."

Walker averaged 12.1 points on 36.6 percent shooting for the Bobcats, who finished the season with a 7-59 record.

"I think I got better at seeing my teammates, getting them the ball," said Walker, who averaged 4.4 assist in 27.2 minutes per game.

Paul Silas has been fired as head coach of the Bobcats.

Charlotte will immediately begin their search for a new head coach.

Silas posted a 32-88 record with the Bobcats during his two seasons.

"I would like to personally thank Paul for everything he has done for this team under some pretty unique circumstances," Rod Higgins said. "His basketball experience as a coach and a player speak for themselves. We have been fortunate to have someone of his character associated with this franchise and we hope he will continue to be a valuable resource to us in the future."

Paul Silas believes Bismack Biyombo may be best suited for the power forward position in the long-term.

Biyombo is 6-9, 245 and may not be able to hold up against centers.

But Biyombo, who is known as the toughest player on Charlotte this season, disagrees with the assessment.

“I’m a fighter, I like to fight," said Biyombo. "I prefer to be a center."

Michael Jordan defended the Bobcats against widespread criticism as they finish the season with the worst record in the NBA.

Critics have said Charlotte's front office has "yes men" to Jordan.

“It’s absolutely wrong that I don’t want guys to challenge me. And the people who say that aren’t in the room,’’ Jordan told the Observer.

“The idea that people can’t do that is just wrong. Curtis (Polk, team vice chairman) has worked with me for over 20 years and he’s never had a problem telling me, ‘no.’ Rod (Higgins, president of basketball operations) has no problem telling me no. Fred (Whitfield, team president) has no problem telling me ‘no.’ And Rich (Cho, the team’s general manager) is about as direct and candid a person as you’ll ever meet."

Jordan acknowledged Charlotte would struggle this season, but he didn't anticipate the results would be historically bad.

“This was going to be a trying year – we knew that,” Jordan said. “But did we want to chase the most Ping-Pong balls (in the May 30 draft lottery)? No way.’’

“Ever since I’ve owned the team (buying control from Bob Johnson in March 2010), I think we’ve made some very positive moves on the business side. We had to make a difficult decision to turn over the (basketball) talent.

“This year the talent we had didn’t respond, but that doesn’t cause me to turn my back on the plan."

Jordan remains optimistic about the future of the Bobcats.

“They are being judged wrongfully. We’re on the right track,’’ Jordan said. “I didn’t anticipate a season anything like this, but we had to make some difficult decisions, with (buying out unhappy veteran) Boris (Diaw), for instance.

“And we had to play the rookies, (Bismack) Biyombo and Kemba (Walker) more than they were really ready to play.’’