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Bryant told Yahoo! Sports on Friday that he and his teammates will endorse the longtime Lakers assistant as Jackson’s replacement. Shaw is in his sixth full season on Jackson’s coaching staff after serving as an assistant to Frank Hamblen during the second half of the 2004-05 season.

“I feel all of the players believe in coach B-Shaw,” Bryant said the Lakers’ Friday morning shootaround. “We have such a rapport with him. He’s been with us for such a long time. We all have a bit of a bias towards him.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is ‘P-Jax’ done? Is ‘B-Shaw’ sliding down a seat to the big chair on the Staples Centre bench?

After years of speculation and gossip, it appears Phil Jackson’s Zen has run its course with the Los Angeles Lakers. This will be his final year guiding the NBA’s glamour franchise.

Yes, he’s said this for years. And yes, Jackson continually cries wolf on retirement, spouting off to the media only to return for more money.

This time seems different, though. The players are speaking up about having Brian Shaw replace their Hall of Fame sideline boss.

Kobe Bryant and company know Shaw. He’s a former Laker. And currently sits as an assistant on Jackson’s staff.

Would Shaw want the gig, though?

Best case scenario: he wins an NBA championship and is doing what Jackson has always done. Worst case scenario: the Lakers’ run ends and Shaw becomes the scapegoat.

There’s little upside to replacing a legend. However, the NBA only has thirty head coaching jobs, so it may be now or never for Shaw.

--Oly Sandor.

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