With rocky Denver debut behind him, Shaw has reason for optimism

Brian Shaw could not guide a young, injury-riddled team to the Nuggets' 11th consecutive playoff berth.

David Zalubowski/AP

That's why the Knicks' elimination matters, why Shaw looking to the future with a handful of games remaining should be seen as a good thing. This season is toast -- charred, gritty toast. It's next year that matters, and for Shaw to chalk up the past few months as a learning experience is just fine -- as long as he puts what he learned into practice when next fall rolls around.