EL SEGUNDO, Aug 30 -- The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Frank Hamblen, Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw to serve as assistant coaches under head coach Phil Jackson, it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
Rambis, who served as an assistant coach on Jackson’s staff for three seasons (2002-2004), which included two trips to the NBA Finals (2002 and 2004) and one NBA Championship (2002), continues his work on the Lakers’ sideline after being added to Hamblen’s staff in February of 2005. Prior to joining Hamblen and Jackson’s staffs, Rambis worked in the team’s front office in three different capacities, that of Advisor and Assistant General Manager from 1999-2001 and as Vice President of Business and Basketball Integration for half of the 2004-2005 season. 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, entering his seventh season with the organization, including two seasons in a front office capacity, also will remain on the bench under Jackson after joining the assistant coaching staff in February of last season. With 14 years of NBA experience and three NBA Championships on his resume, Shaw, originally selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1988 NBA Draft (24th overall), 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. After announcing his retirement on September 24, 2003 after having played in 943 regular season and 127 playoff games, Shaw remained with the organization as Assistant Director of Scouting and a Summer Pro League coach before joining the team’s coaching staff last season.