Becky Hammon became the first woman to lead the NBA team as head coach during regular season, when she took over from San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when he was ejected during Wednesday’s game.
Hammon stepped in with 3:56 left in the second quarter in the Spurs’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers went on to win the game 121-107.
What Does Becky Have To Say?
“Obviously that’s a big deal. It’s an important time,” Hammon told reporters. I became part of this organization. I got traded here in 2007 (when in the WNBA), so I’ve been in San Antonio and part of the Spurs and sports organization with the Stars and everything for 13 years. So I have a lot of time invested, and they have a lot of time invested in me in building me and getting me better.
“Honestly, for now, I’ve been trying to win this game. I say this a lot, but I try not to think about the big picture and the big part of it because it can be a burden. It’s my job to go in there to be focused for those guys and make sure that I’m helping them do the things that will help us win.
“I haven’t had time to think. I haven’t looked at my phone yet, so I don’t know what’s going on outside the AT&T Center tonight.”
Hammon said she didn’t go on the field thinking she would be promoted to head coach, “but that’s the way things are going and you roll over with it,” she said. “I’d like a different result. Overall, I’d like to get a win tonight more than anything.”
Career Performance
Popovich will be credited as the head coach in the official statistics, but it was a historic moment. As to how Hammon found out she would take over for Popovich? “He officially pointed at me,” she said. “That was it. He said, ‘You got ’em.'”
Hammon, a six-time WNBA All-Star in her 16-year career, became the first full-time female coach in NBA history when she was hired by Spurs in 2014. She previously worked as Spurs’ head coach during the summer League League, which was held during offseason.
Hammon was re-elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, in the 2021 class. Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Popovich was asked about that, as well as his thoughts on Hammon’s playing days and her coaching career.
“Obviously, I think his skills have hired her. It all started when I saw her play,” Popovich said.
“She was a leader, everyone on the team responded to her, she was very confident, very competitive and led the whole process. And when I got to know her and she was in our coaches’ meetings before she was hired, to make a plan.
“So she has all the tools needed to be a coach in our league.”
Said Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray after the game: “The future is bright for her. I hope she just sticks to it and doesn’t give up. One day it may happen, it may not happen, who knows, but she’s definitely on the right road. I think everybody here appreciates her. … She’s setting an example for every woman out there.”
