The Denver Nuggets have hired Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw as their new head coach, Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reported on Monday.

Shaw was a guard in the NBA from 1988-2003 and hopped on the coaching circuit after he retired. He was an assistant coach with the Lakers from 2005-11, before moving to be an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers.

The Denver Nuggets fired head coach George Karl, even after he won the NBA Coach of the Year award this past season. Karl had been with the Nuggets since 2004, leading them to the playoffs all nine years, but had recently struggled in the playoffs. The Nuggets were bounced in the first round the past four straight years.

Shaw expressed interest in the coaching job with the Boston Celtics as well, but the Nuggets were pursuing Shaw hard. CBS Sports reported that the Nuggets were deciding between Lionel Hollins and Shaw two weeks ago.

Shaw had a productive career as a NBA player, winning three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. During his 15-year career, he played for seven different teams.

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