During their exit interviews today Derek Fisher and Luke Walton endorsed former Laker and current assistant coach Brian Shaw as the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Phil Jackson’s imminent departure leaves an opening on the team for a head coach, and one of the most popular rumors this season has been that Los Angeles will promote Brian Shaw from assistant to head coach.
Earlier this season during a game in Portland Kobe Bryant also endorsed Shaw. The quotes from Fisher and Walton seem to emulate Bryant’s original comments.
“If we keep the triangle (next year), I don’t see where we’d go other than Coach Shaw,” stated Walton. The Los Angeles reserve went on to say that the triangle wasn’t the problem this year, but an inability to play patient enough to run it effectively was what cost them.
Fisher’s sentiments were very similar to Walton’s, “I support Brian (Shaw) 100 percent. It’s not my decision to make, that’s for Mitch (Kupchak) and Dr. Buss, but I’m hopeful.” Fisher went on to say that this year’s elimination was tougher than losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 Finals, and that he’s hopeful for the future.
Whether or not Brian Shaw is given the head coaching job next season will depend on Dr. Buss and Mitch Kupchak’s opinions on who they believe will be the best man to lead the Lakers in the post-Phil Jackson era.
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