B-Shaw Shows Us How It’s Done

In what is becoming an all too familiar sight this season, the Los Angeles Lakers floundered away a late lead while missing the century mark again and ended up losing to the Indiana Pacers 98-96 at Staples Center. A familiar face was also back on the sidelines, one who knew the exact pulse of the team while possessing the intangible knowledge of how to communicate with one of the greatest players of all time. He himself was a graduate of the master and his ascension to the vacated throne was endorsed by all around him. After the Lakers unscripted exit to the Dallas Mavericks last season, each player spoke of redemption, rededication and renewed vigor.

B-Shaw was back on the sidelines, this time for the Indiana Pacers as his well-balanced team handed the Lakers their third straight loss in a row. Copyrights may apply. All rights reserved.

Ultimately, Brian Shaw did not land the head coaching gig with the Los Angeles Lakers, that title went instead to Mike Brown. So instead of dwelling on what should have been, B-Shaw did what he knew best, he moved on. Shaw, now the Associate Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers, does not look back but instead looks to a brighter future with the Pacers. Indiana currently holds a solid grip on its playoff aspirations despite talk of a season destined for rebuilding. But their vision for future greatness has catapulted itself into the present and Shaw hopes to capitalize on his good fortune leading a team that exhibits excellent ball movement within an equal-opportunity offense.

David West (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal) and Paul George (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) got Indiana back into the game after the Pacers came out flat to start. After scoring only 14-points in the 1st period, the Pacers heated up quite a bit as they recorded 35-points in the 2nd. Kobe Bryant (33 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) carried the Lakers scoring load while a welcome sign of life appeared off the bench as Metta World Peace (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) finally found himself with some meaningful minutes. But Indiana’s confidence would continue to grow well into the 3rd quarter as the Pacers were able to take a 60-56 lead behind a trio of 3-pointers from George and Danny Granger (16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks).

Andrew Bynum (16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist) went to work inside the block as well as on the glass as the Lakers eased back into control. Pau Gasol (8 points on 4-12, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 blocks) played the role of facilitator while Matt Barnes (14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) continued to solidify his spot in the starting rotation. But the Pacers continued to battle back each time the Lakers tried to put some distance between them. The Lakers held on for a slim 78-77 lead at the end of three as Kobe’s baseline jumper found the mark just as the buzzer sounded.

Roy Hibbert (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) and Darren Collison (12 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds) kept the Pacers within reach as the two teams began exchanging leads in the 4th quarter. Barnes got the Staples Center crowd on its feet with a resounding dunk off another Gasol dime to give the Lakers a 92-91 lead with 2:26 left in the contest. Derek Fisher (4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) splashed a uncontested jumper for the three-point cushion but Hibbert and Collison struck back, giving the Pacers a 95-94 lead. Kobe found a wide-open Barnes behind the arc, but his 3-pointer went long and into the hands of the Pacers. The Lakers got the defensive stop they needed, forcing a turnover. But confusion ensued at their end with the Lakers unsure of what to do. Fisher’s lob-pass-shot hit nothing but air and the Lakers were forced to foul. Collison drained both free throws and the unthinkable had suddenly become a reality.