I wish Becky Hammon good luck and success. But the differences in the mens and women’s game are significant. A lot of experienced male coaches have struggled coaching women’s basketball. Nolan Richardson failed spectacularly. Arkansas just hired Jimmy Dykes and we’ll soon find out if he coach and win in the women’s league.
I’m surprised some of the great female collage coaches haven’t moved into NBA positions. First as assistants and then head coaching.
Is this just a PR stunt? What chances does Becky Hammon have?
Aside from the possible effects of sexism, not every college coach moves into the pro game. They’re very different, and a coach with years of success in college might not see a gig as an NBA assistant as a promotion. Only a small portion of them go to the NBA just like most NBA assistants don’t become head coaches.
Well, she’s been a professional basketball player for 16 years and just got hired by the best franchise in North American pro sports. I know guys can dunk and play above the rim more and she’s new to the NBA itself, but I think she’ll be fine.
That article was either updated or I missed this the first time: Hammon worked with the Spurs all last season while she rehabbed from an injury, so she is familiar with the team and how they operate. I don’t think she could be in a better position to succeed.
I’m a bit surprised by the hire, but since Gregg Popovich is the best and smartest coach in the NBA, if HE says Becky Hammon is smart enough and capable enough to do the job and help the team, I’m more than willing to take his word for it.
Popovich is no flaming liberal/progressive type. He’s not the type to make a hire based on political correctness. He’s seen her at work long enough to determine that she knows what she’s doing.
Interestingly, Popovich also hired the great Italian coach Ettore Messina as an assistant. I wonder if and when Messina will get a well-deserved chance to be a head coach in the NBA.