Basketball coaches in youth leagues teach the fundamentals. Coaches in college cajole professors into passing their student-athletes so they can play. (College coaches also teach the game.) But what do professional head basketball coaches do? Denver Nuggets coach Brian Shaw is there to watch, apparently. If Shaw’s point guard Ty Lawson–who had a breakout year last year using his otherworldly speed to average almost 18 points and 9 assists–is going to get better it won’t be with Shaw’s help.
“Ty Lawson has All-Star ability,” coach Brian Shaw said. “Whether he takes that next step or not is completely and utterly up to him. That’s going to come down to his commitment every day in practice.” Shaw could claim that’s motivation. Phil Jackson, who Shaw once played for, might tell Lawson the team was going to help him be an All-Star.