Indiana Pacers formally announce Brian Shaw as their new assistant coach: NBA Update
The coaching crew of the Indiana Pacers received a substantial boost up on Wednesday, when the franchise officially named Brian Shaw as their new assistant coach. Shaw will work alongside Frank Vogel, who was appointed as the head
coach of the Pacers in the first week of July.
Vogel considers Brian as the perfect fit for the team and said, “It’s a home run. He’s just a guy who brings positive energy to our team and toughness as well. He’s a great guy, he’s a workaholic, and he’s the perfect fit for me
right now in my situation as the head coach.’’
The 45 year old Shaw was strong favourite to be the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers when the Hall of Famer Phil Jackson called it quits after a meltdown against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals last post
season. Shaw also received the endorsement of the legendary Kobe Bryant to become Jackson’s successor; however the Lakers management eventually leaned in the favour of the former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.
After Brown’s appointment, it was expected that Shaw will ultimately find his way out of the franchise, where he served as a player and a coach. It was a matter of just when. Late in June, rumours started to circulate, that Shaw
will ultimately land in Indiana. When Larry Bird, the president of basketball operation announced Vogel as the head coach, he made the rumours a reality by indicating the move.
Shaw is satisfied with the way things have turned out for him and is excited about the recent opportunity.
"I understood all along that nothing was a slam dunk. I didn't expect for anything to be handed to me or given to me. I was very appreciative of the comments and the support that I got from our players during and after the season.
I don't have any hard feelings at all because things are changing there, and there's an opportunity here that I'm excited about," Shaw said.
Since the retirement as a player, Brian has been carrying the responsibilities of the assistant coach for the Lakers and won five NBA championships, three as a player and two as an associate to Jackson. Brian played a major role
for the Los Angeles Lakers’ success in the most recent two successive championships.
His exceptional tenure as an assistant was the factor which convinced Larry to make a move. Vogel also backed the argument and stated that Brian’s outstanding experience made him the ideal candidate for the position.
The move will certainly go a long way in raising the fortunes of the young Indiana Pacers side.
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