Orlando Johnson has become a fixture in the Indiana Pacers' bench rotation, playing in 45 consecutive games after not playing in just three of 32 games to begin the season.
Johnson credits Brian Shaw, who is in his second season as an assistant with the Pacers, as a key reason for his development.
“I think he’s a great coach,” Johnson told RealGM. “He definitely has a bright future in the league as a head coach because of his time as a player. His record speaks for itself. He’s won at every level. He’s a proven leader and just being under coach Shaw, also being a UC Santa Barbara graduate, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned what it takes to succeed at this level and also to stay at this level.”
Shaw has used his experience as a 14-year veteran to relate to his players and improve their learning curves.
“He’s been through everything we’ve been through.” Johnson told RealGM. “He’s seen all the things so he’s just another extension of coach (Frank) Vogel. Sometimes when we don’t understand (Vogel), we ask coach Shaw and he breaks it down to us and we usually get it.”
Shaw was mentioned as a top candidate for several head coaching positions last summer before he returned to Indiana.
Shaw’s name is expected to surface again this summer with any openings around the NBA.