Since Doug Collins decided to step down as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers over a month ago, there have been many names tossed around as to who will be his replacement. I wrote last week about the possibility of Houston Rockets' assistant coach Kelvin Sampson becoming the next Sixers head coach, but since then there has been little movement on the coaching front. However, there were some reports on Tuesday, the day of the NBA Draft Lottery, that the newly hired general manager of the Sixers, Sam Hinkie, missed the Draft Lottery in order to meet with head coaching candidate Brian Shaw. Shaw is currently the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers and, if the rumors are true, this was a very smart move by Hinkie. Shaw is currently a hot commodity in the NBA, so finding time to talk to him may be at a premium, especially with his Pacers team currently battling the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Many people know Brian Shaw as the favorite to replace Phil Jackson as the Lakers' head coach when Jackson stepped down a few years ago. Although he did not get the job as the Lakers' coach (much to the displeasure of Lakers fans and Kobe Bryant), Shaw has continued to have success as a coach in the NBA. In 2011, he moved on from the Lakers to a young, talented Indiana Pacers team, where he became associate head coach. Since Shaw has been with the Pacers, they have improved their win total each year, and have surprised many people along the way.
Despite having no experience as a head coach in this league, Shaw has been mentored by legendary head coach Phil Jackson, and has mastered the complex Triangle Offense that Jackson wielded to perfection in Los Angeles and Chicago. Shaw is also known to be loved by his players. This would be a nice changeup for the Sixers players as there were many reports that the players were getting sick of Doug Collins and his philosophies. However, one trait that Collins and Shaw share is their passion for defense. Collins coached the Sixers to having an elite defense in each one of his years in Philadelphia. Shaw has also demanded dominant defense from his players, as the Pacers had the best perimeter defensive team in the league this year.
Brian Shaw, in my opinion, is the best option to fill the Sixers' coaching vacancy. He has had success as an assistant coach, he has been mentored by one of the best coaches in NBA history, he preaches defense, and players love him. One team will give Shaw his chance this summer, I just hope that team is our Philadelphia 76ers.
