Shaw named Nuggets' head coach
Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw took over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, his first head coaching job.
Shaw reportedly also was a candidate for several other head coaching vacancies. Prior to his two seasons with the Pacers, Shaw spent seven seasons on the Lakers' coaching staff.
The 47-year-old takes over a team that won 57 games last season. That helped George Karl be named NBA coach of the year. Nonetheless, Karl was fired by the Nuggets, who lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
"I appreciate the opportunity that the Kroenke family, general manager Tim Connelly and the entire Nuggets organization have given me," Shaw said in a statement. "Josh has built a quality team and front office and I look forward to joining that nucleus. It's a talented roster with a great foundation. As a player and a coach, my primary goal has always been to win a championship. I sincerely believe that Josh and Tim share that same vision."
As a player, Shaw played 14 seasons with Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and L.A. Lakers. He was a member of Los Angeles' back-to-back-to-back title teams in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
