L.A. Lakers: Does Kobe Bryant's Endorsement of Brian Shaw Hold Any Weight?
If Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has anything to say about it, the team's replacement for coach Phil Jackson is already sitting beside him on the Laker bench.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Bryant recently endorsed Shaw during a team shootaround, and he was strong in his support for Jackson's assistant, who is serving in his sixth full season in that role.
Bryant said the entire team would endorse Shaw, and that the players had built a strong rapport with the young coach and were very biased in their support.
That's a very strong recommendation on Bryant's part, but will general manager Mitch Kupchak and owner Jerry Buss pay any heed to Bryant's words?
Bryant would certainly like to end his career in the same system that has helped define his legacy, and Shaw's commitment to Jackson's principles affords him that opportunity.
The fact that Shaw has developed a great relationship with what could be his players is a good thing, but there are still lingering questions about his relative inexperience.
Shaw is not that far removed from his days as Bryant and point guard Derek Fisher's teammate, and there are questions as to how those veteran players would respond when Shaw is forced to assert his authority.
If the Lakers were to follow Bryant's endorsement, then it would also signal their dedication to the triangle offense, which could affect the players they pursue in free agency.
Most Lakers fans have been clamoring for a star point guard to replace Fisher, but the chances of Kupchak chasing a lead guard decreases, because a star point guard is not necessary in the triangle offense.
However, the probability of pursuing a player like Dwight Howard goes up, because a dominant inside presence has been a signature piece of Jackson's Laker teams.
Kupchak and Buss will in all likelihood consider Bryant's affections for Shaw, but their decision will probably be based on the vision they each share for the team's future.
Shaw will surely receive strong consideration based on the success of Jackson's teams, but I would not be so quick to rule out Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott as well.
Both Kupchak and Buss are rumored to love Scott, and the former Lakers great has previously called coaching the Lakers his dream job.
Bryant is in the first year of a three-year contract, and it's yet to be determined what will happen once the time to renew that contract arrives.
I'm willing to bet that Bryant could find a little more life in his legs to play a few seasons beyond the years of his current deal, but that may depend on whether or not Shaw is coaching the Lakers when it's time to make that decision.
