Nelson Chenault – USA Today Sports
While most of the NBA discussion surrounding head coaches has been about Doc Rivers heading to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Denver Nuggets have signed their next head coach. After firing former coach George Karl the Nuggets were in talks to acquire Rivers’ rights, but hiring Brian Shaw is a much better move. The Nuggets’ signing of Shaw is not a risky decision, and he is a worthy candidate for their head coaching vacancy.
Shaw has earned respect around the league by being a successful assistant coach behind Phil Jackson and two years with the Indiana Pacers. On top of earning respect through coaching, he also earned well-deserved respect through his successful tenure as a player.
Shaw was on many teams’ head coaching vacancies short-lists including the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. The Nuggets made sure Shaw would be coaching nowhere but Denver by signing him. The Nets foolishly put public relations and money over basketball by signing former player Jason Kidd as their next coach. The Nets might get some more fans in the seats, but the Nuggets will find success under Shaw.
Karl led the Nuggets to the playoffs, but Shaw should be able to take them to the next level. At least the Nuggets should be able to have some playoff success and make it to at least the Western Conference Finals. One thing is for sure, a first round playoff series loss is not good enough for the Nuggets and Shaw.
The Nuggets smartly signed one of the best if not the best coaching candidate available, and many teams with vacancies will be kicking themselves for not signing Shaw first.
Phil Naegely is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @pnaegelyRS and add him to your circles on Google.
