EL SEGUNDO, Feb. 17 -- Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw have been added to the coaching staff and will serve as assistant coaches to Frank Hamblen for the remainder of the season it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. No other changes to the coaching staff are expected at this time. The Lakers other assistant coaches are Larry Smith, Mike Wells, Melvin Hunt and Chris Bodaken.
In addition to having each played for the Lakers and prior to being named assistant coaches, both Rambis and Shaw served the organization in other capacities; Rambis as Vice President of Business and Basketball Integration and Shaw as Assistant Director of Scouting.
Hamblen took over the Lakers head coaching duties on February 2, 2005 when Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down.
Before assuming his front office role this season, Rambis served as an assistant coach on Phil Jackson’s staff for three seasons, with the Lakers making two trips to the NBA Finals (2002 and 2004) and taking home an NBA Championship in 2002. Prior to joining Jackson’s staff, Rambis worked in the team’s front office in two different capacities, that of advisor and assistant general manager from 1999-2001. Previously serving as an assistant on Del Harris’ staff for three seasons (1994-1997), Rambis was named the Lakers’ interim head coach 12 games into the 1998-99 season and after tying a then-NBA record with nine consecutive victories to start his coaching career, led the team to a 24-13 mark and into the Western Conference Finals.
In addition, Rambis played during the Lakers “Showtime” era and was a key component to the club’s NBA Title runs in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
Shaw, in his sixth season with the organization and second in a front office capacity, brings 14 years of NBA experience and three NBA Championships to the bench. Originally selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1988 NBA Draft (24th overall), Shaw joined the Lakers prior to the 1999-2000 season and played a major role in the team’s three consecutive title runs from 2000-2002. Announcing his retirement on September 24, 2003 after having played in 943 regular season and 127 playoff games, Shaw has remained active within the organization and in addition to his duties as Assistant Director of Scouting, most recently served as an assistant coach to Bill Bertka on the Lakers 2004 Summer Pro League team.