The Associated Press reports that Patrick Ewing is happy to be coaching in Washington. And that he will suit up if needed. Ewing was introduced as the Wizards? new assistant coach today in a press conference.

"This is one of the hardest decisions that I've ever had to make. I'm still torn," Ewing said Wednesday, 24 hours after his retirement announcement in New York. Yesterday, I was so happy to get that press conference over with, and it took me forever to say that I'm retiring from playing. I've been playing basketball so long, and I still enjoy doing it," he said.

Ewing admitted that if Washington needed an extra center during the season, he might consider playing again -- especially if Wizards owner Abe Pollin tried to induce him. "I'm here as an assistant coach. (But) if Mr. Pollin comes to me and says, 'Here's a 10-day (contract),' I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth," Ewing said.

Wizards coach Doug Collins said that Ewing came to coach -- not play. "When you've played for 17 years, you can go through withdrawals," he said. "If he can be teaching, the transition is going to be much easier."