Who Are The Candidates To Replace Mike D’Antoni As Lakers Head Coach?
By Jason Gold
April 10, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw instructs against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Shaw was the “likely” successor to Phil Jackson when he left the team in 2011, due to the fact that he was on Phil’s staff for the 2009-2010 championship teams and he would implement the same triangle offense. Kobe pushed for him to be hired. So did the Laker fans. However, Jim Buss, in all of his infinite wisdom, decided to hire Mike Brown instead.
Now, Shaw is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. While Shaw didn’t success in his first year in Denver, he is under contract for a couple of more seasons and the Lakers are unlikely to try and nab him away from their Western Conference foe. If Phil was back with the Lakers and running basketball operations, this may be a different story. But, for now, it looks like Shaw will stay in Denver and the Lakers will not attempt to interview him.