<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Shaw, who was part of three Laker championship runs as a veteran guard under Phil Jackson, will be the third assistant coach on Jackson's staff. Shaw, 39, will join Frank Hamblen and Kurt Rambis. Jackson has not decided on a fourth and final assistant to fill more of a part-time role. Shaw had a 14-year NBA career and spent his final four seasons with the Lakers before retiring in 2003. He was trusted by Jackson as a player and would often be sent into games with veteran Ron Harper if the offense unraveled or the tempo needed a steadying hand. Shaw, who is close to Kobe Bryant, was referred to as "the troubleshooter" for his efforts to defuse tension in the Laker locker room numerous times during his playing days. Shaw spent the second half of last season as an assistant after being moved from a scouting position to help firm up Hamblen's staff. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luke Walton, a restricted free-agent forward, has agreed to a two-year contract to stay with the Lakers, his agent said Wednesday. Walton, the 32nd pick in the 2003 draft, averaged 2.4 points as a rookie and 3.2 points last season, but his overall game is favored by Jackson because of his passing skills in the triangle offense. Walton, 25, struggled last season under Coach Rudy Tomjanovich, spraining anankle in training camp and quickly falling down the depth chart at an already overcrowded small-forward position. Frank Hamblen replaced Tomjanovich halfway through the season and installed the triangle, ultimately boosting Walton's playing time and confidence. He nearly had a triple-double ? 10 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists ? in a late-season game against the Sacramento Kings. "He feels like he's going to have an opportunity to advance his career by staying," said Lon Babby, Walton's agent. "It's about developing as a player." Contract announcements can't be made by NBA teams until a moratorium ends July 22.</div> Source
i just want them to bring Pippen back. If they have Pippen and Phil on the bench coaching, I'm sure they'll be able to do wonders with Lamar. I mean Pippen will give Lamar all the coaching he needs on how to work with a player like Kobe. And Lamar will listen. Who wouldn't listen to one of the 50 best ever with first hand knowledge?
