UPDATE No. 2: In addition to Brian Shaw, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times lists Rick Adelman, Byron Scott, Doc Rivers, Kurt Rambis, Jeff Van Gundy, Larry Brown, Jerry Sloan and Mike Krzyzewski as potential candidates to be the next head coach of the Lakers. The Lakers probably won't start the interviews until Jackson officially retires. ---- UPDATE: Brian Shaw is drawing interest from the Rockets, but he won't talk to them about the head coach vacancy until a later date. Most expect Shaw to be the top choice to replace Phil Jackson as the next head since the players and Jackson are backing Shaw to get the job. "If they want the continuity of this offense and everything else going forward, he's the guy that knows it and understands it," Jackson told NBA.com. "That's a given, I think. If they're looking to change how this team is going and the direction and the personnel and all the other stuff that goes along with it, then they have something else in mind and I don't have anything to do with that. That's their business." Jackson has continued to say that he will retire after the season. -- Nick Borges ---- UPDATE: According to Art Thompson III of the New Orleans Times Picayune, Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis has been in attendance at three Lakers-Hornets playoffs games, and he subtly suggests he could be angling for the job. "Rambis interestingly enough has been in attendance at all three of the Lakers' first-round playoff games against the New Orleans Hornets," he wrote. "Rambis does not exactly have job security with the Timberwolves, but his Laker ties are strong as a former player, assistant coach and interim head coach." While there are dots here to connect, it's also possible Rambis is just there to support Jackson in his final playoff run as a coach. --- By most accounts, it's sounding like this will indeed be Phil Jackson's last season as head coach of the Lakers. According to John Canzano of 95.5 in Portland and The Oregonian, ESPN's Marc Stein noted during a 95.5 radio interview on Tuesday that "Nate McMillan was definitely on the Lakers' radar (as a Jackson replacement). I believe that helped get his extension (with the Blazers)." With McMillan off the table for the Lakers, it could shine a brighter light on assistant coach Brian Shaw -- whom Kobe Bryant recently endorsed -- to take over for Jackson. -- Ryan Corazza
I heard on the radio the Lakers are very interested in Rick Adelman. Princeton offense replacing the Triangle?
As noted often -- and touched on here Thursday -- the Lakers wil likely take a look at assistant coach Brian Shaw for their open head coaching position. There's also been the suggestion that former Rockets coach Rick Adelman could get a look because of his past success and his "corner" offense's similarities to the triangle. And now ESPN's Marc Stein adds this to the fray. "NBA coaching sources on Thursday described the Lakers as 'very interested' in Adelman as a candidate for the position," he wrote. Beyond Adelman, Stein also reports that former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is in the mix along with Mike Dunleavy -- a name reported earlier this week by Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times.
Really good! Just like in football, 1 coach for offense, 1 for D. I really think Adelman will be a good fit with the kind of players we have who are gifted offensively.