Brooklyn Nets Coaching Candidates

Lionel Hollins
Lionel Hollins (AP)

Brian Shaw

Brian Shaw
Suit game proper, Brian Shaw. Suit game proper. (AP)

UPDATE: It appears Brooklyn isn’t the only team interested in Brian Shaw’s services. Phil Jackson, currently advising the Detroit Pistons on their coaching search as a personal favor to owner Tom Gores, may recommend that the Pistons hire Shaw. Additionally, writers for Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia are clamoring for the 76ers to consider Shaw as a candidate.

The Latest: Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw is one of the top three head coaching candidates for the Brooklyn Nets, according to various reports. As the Pacers are currently in the playoffs, the team has not officially contacted Shaw. Pacers president Donnie Walsh said he would grant the Nets permission to speak with Shaw once the playoffs end.

The skinny: A former NBA player, Shaw played for seven teams in a career from 1988-2003 before retiring with the Los Angeles Lakers and shifting into an assistant coaching position. Shaw worked as an assistant coach under Phil Jackson for all but one season from 2004-2011. Shaw, who was recommended by Kobe Bryant for the Lakers head coaching job, followed Jackson out of the Lakers organization after the 2010-11 season, moving to Indiana to join the Indiana Pacers organization as an assistant. He is routinely cited around the league as an assistant that deserves a head coaching shot. Shaw learned the Triangle Offense under Jackson and helped develop Indiana’s league-best defense, and would likely implement the Triangle in Brooklyn.

Shaw, 47, has been on five championship teams: three as a player and two as a coach, all with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The verdict: Shaw is a name the Nets should give serious consideration. If the reports that Phil Jackson is more interested in a managerial role than a coaching one are true, Shaw is an excellent option and a coach that can help build a long-term culture in Brooklyn. Ideally, Jackson could come on in a presidential front office capacity and help guide Shaw through his first coaching experience.

Next: Scott Skiles

Larry Brown | Mike Dunleavy | Lionel Hollins | Phil Jackson | Nate McMillan | Doc Rivers | Brian Shaw | Scott Skiles | Jerry Sloan | Jeff Van Gundy | Stan Van Gundy