Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Hamblen set through season

LOS ANGELES -- There won't be any Phil Jackson sightings on the Lakers' bench this season.

General manager Mitch Kupchak told The Los Angeles Times that Frank Hamblen is expected "to be our head coach for the remainder of the season. I think he's done a great job and our roster will be healthier after the All-Star break."

Hamblen took over when Rudy Tomjanovich resigned Feb. 2, citing physical and mental fatigue.

The Lakers are 2-5 under Hamblen, but 1-1 since Kobe Bryant returned from a sprained ankle that caused the Lakers star to miss 14 games.

Hamblen coached the Milwaukee Bucks in 1991-92, when he replaced Del Harris, and was 23-42.

According to The Times, long-term coaching candidates for the Lakers are said to include Larry Brown, Jackson and Flip Saunders.

Meanwhile, former players Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw were added to the Lakers' staff as assistants to Hamblen for the rest of the season.

Rambis and Shaw join Larry Smith, Mike Wells, Melvin Hunt and Chris Bodaken as assistants under Hamblen.

In addition to having played for the Lakers, Rambis and Shaw have worked for the team in other capacities -- Rambis as vice president of business and basketball integration, and Shaw as assistant director of scouting.

Before assuming his front-office role this season, Rambis served as an assistant coach on Phil Jackson's staff for three seasons. Before that, he worked in the team's front office, was an assistant under Del Harris, and served as interim head coach to finish the 1999 season. He played for the Lakers during the 1980s.

Shaw played for the Lakers for four years before retiring in September 2003.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

source

ESPN