Nuggets hire Shaw as coach

Published January 13, 2015

The Denver Nuggets have named Brian Shaw as the 20th head coach in franchise history, the team announced Tuesday.

Shaw replaces George Karl, who was fired earlier this month.

"After completing a thorough process, we are thrilled to welcome Brian as the next head coach of the Denver Nuggets," Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said. "He brings a remarkable pedigree of success as both a championship player and a championship coach."

The 47-year-old Shaw has been an assistant with the Indiana Pacers the last two seasons. He had been considered a leading candidate for the head coaching position with the Los Angeles Lakers following the retirement of Phil Jackson, but that job went to Mike Brown. Shaw was an assistant with the Lakers from 2005-2011.

During his time with Indiana, Shaw worked under Frank Vogel and helped to develop All-Star forward Paul George. The Pacers won 49 games this season, were the Central Division champions, and lost to eventual NBA champion Miami in the Eastern Conference finals in seven games. It was Indiana's first division title since 2003-04.

A three-time NBA champion during his playing days, Shaw spent time with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and Lakers.

"I appreciate the opportunity that the Kroenke family, general manager Tim Connelly and the entire Nuggets organization have given me," Shaw said. "Josh has built a quality team and front office and I look forward to joining that nucleus. It's a talented roster with a great foundation.

"As a player and a coach, my primary goal has always been to win a championship. I sincerely believe that Josh and Tim share that same vision."

Karl, the NBA's top coach in 2012-13 after leading the Nuggets to a team- record 57 wins, including a league-best 38-3 mark at home, guided Denver to a record of 423-257 with playoff appearances in each of his nine seasons. However, the team was eliminated in the first round eight times.

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