Brian Shaw among rumoured candidates for Orlando Magic head coaching job – NBA Update
The Orlando Magic have a lot of balls in the air right now. The franchise has some contracts to renew, they have some contracts they want to move and they of course have the Dwight Howard situation still left to deal with. On top of that, the Magic are also
searching for a new head coach.
While the situation with players still remains unclear, some names are emerging for the head coach position. Chief among them is that of former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw. Shaw, who is now the assistant coach at the Indiana Pacers featured
in an Orlando Magic uniform during his playing days.
Shaw learned his craft from legendary Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson and he played in a Lakers team that featured big man Shaquille O’Neal. Therefore, he could be the ideal candidate to coach Dwight Howard and he could be the man to handle Andrew
Bynum, the Lakers centre Orlando might trade Howard for.
On paper, Shaw seems to have all bases covered. However new Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan is on record saying he would look for a coach who has previous experience as an NBA head coach. Something Shaw lacks.
"It's important," Hennigan answered. "I think anytime you want to hire a coach certainly a guy who's been in that seat before is important. I don't think it's the most important thing. But I do think it's an important piece to the puzzle.”
Shaw’s lack of a previous head coaching job perhaps also cost him during the running for the Lakers hot seat. Following Phil Jackson’s retirement, Brian Shaw was the man favourite to land the job. That though never happened and Mike Brown was appointed instead.
Shaw moved as assistant to the Indiana Pacers where he has again excelled.
Hennigan though made it clear that having previous head coaching experience wasn’t all important, and has said that the Magic will also be looking for someone who has played the game at the highest level.
"I think also in conjunction with that is someone who's played the game in the NBA, who played the game at a high level." He said.
That is something that could work in Shaw’s favour. NBA insiders believe that Brian is more than ready for a head coaching job and Orlando might be the perfect place for him to do it.
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