Shaquille O’Neal Picked Former NBA Champion as Next Lakers Coach Before Darvin Ham Announcement

The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the worst seasons of their history. They failed to qualify for the play-in tournament. They were in desperate need of changes, and the change started with the firing of Frank Vogel. After the last game, the Lakers needed to change their roster just enough to have a successful season next year. LeBron James played his exceptional best as he could, but it was not enough. Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal had his views of how they can make the 20th season of James a success.

This was not the first or last time former players and legends of the game talked about correcting things within the Lakers. The fact that the most successful franchise fell down like that makes you wonder how much change would bring them back up.

WATCH THIS STORY: Top replacements of Frank Vogel who eventually did not join the Lakers. 

Things are starting to change and a new head coach was announced just a few days back. The assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Darvin Ham, is set to lead the Lakers next season.

Shaquille O’Neal had a different choice for Lakers’ head coach position

In the recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, he shared his views on the candidates to replace Frank Vogel. He said, “All the guys that are nominated, I want them to get the opportunity. Darvin Ham, all these guys. I will like to see Brian Shaw as head coach. Let me tell you why. He knows the system. He knows the people.”

Shaq continued, “And I think he can do the same thing that Ty Lue did. Ty Lue is a players’ coach. Brian Shaw — He knows how the Lakers operate. — I will like to see him get it. I haven’t heard his name, I’m putting his name out there.” 

Brian Shaw is an assistant coach at the Clippers alongside head coach Tyronn Lue and he will continue doing his role at the Clippers as the Lakers appointed their head coach. Shaq’s podcast was obviously before the appointment of Darvin Ham. And as much as Shaq wished Brian Shaw, he obviously merited Darvin Ham as well.

The roster this year was half decent to put in words, bringing justice to the season. In truth, they should have performed much better with the likes of obviously LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis. Too bad AD spent most of the season injured, and Russ West most probably had the worst season of his career.

Also read: Giannis Antetokounmpo Fires 6 Word Response to LeBron James’ Lakers Stealing Key Member From His Championship Team

The notion was that Frank Vogel could not bring out the best of Russell Westbrook. Hopefully, for the Lakers, Darvin Ham would be able to manage the big players on the roster and bring out the best from each of them.