Brian Shaw was the next Kings coach.
Not officially. Not enough to report it in the newspaper. Not even enough to throw it up on ye' old blog. But just enough that when word of Reggie Theus landing the job last June began to spread, it came as quite a surprise to me. There were strong indications from within the organization that Shaw was the one with pole position, only to be passed late by Theus in a development that some tied to his old pal Jerry Tarkanian.
But Shaw is doing just fine, having returned to his Lakers assistant job and about to begin a playoff run on Sunday with Kobe & Co. And while Shaw may not have gotten the Kings job, he did receive a Christmas card from Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie during the holidays. Petrie, who was said to be a huge fan of Shaw's during the interview process, apparently remains so.
"I felt pretty good about the way I interviewed and the way I was received," Shaw told me in Los Angeles on Monday. "I think (his not getting the job) was more the Maloofs and their relationship with Reggie Theus. He played for the Kings, has a connection to Las Vegas and they’re in Vegas. He was at New Mexico State; their business started in New Mexico. So you know, it was a valuable experience. I’m happy for Reggie. I think he did a good job this year."
The 42-year-old Shaw, meanwhile, went back to waiting his turn in the head coaching line while holding one of the most coveted assistant jobs in the league.
"Had it worked out, it would’ve been great," he said. "I would’ve been one of those young guys who was gaining experience on a game by game basis.
"At the same time, when it didn’t work out, I come back here and I’m still learning from one of the best in Phil Jackson and all the experience we have on our staff – (assistants) Frank Hamblen, Jim Cleamons, Tex Winter, Kurt Rambis – all guys who have won championships as players or multiple championships as coaches." - Sam Amick
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