Other Sports Spurs make history by hiring female assistant coach

scho63 · 08-05-2014, 01:15 PM

The San Antonio Spurs made history on Tuesday when they announced the hiring of Becky Hammon. Hammon has played in the WNBA for 16 seasons, and after becoming a naturalized Russian citizen in 2008, played on the Russian basketball team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. She can now add "first hired female assistant coach in the NBA" to her already impressive résumé.

From the Spurs:

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Becky Hammon has been hired as an assistant coach. Per club policy terms of the contract were not announced.

Hammon, who is currently in her 16th WNBA season, announced on July 23 that she would retire as a player at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Named one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All-Time in July of 2011, Hammon ranks seventh in WNBA history in points (with 5,809), fourth in assists (1,687) and sixth in games (445).

“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.”

Over the past year, the Spurs lost two very respected assistant coaches in Mike Budenholzer and Brett Brown. Budenholzer became the coach of the Atlanta Hawks while Brown took over the sidelines for the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, the Spurs have replenished the sidelines with Jim Boylen, Ettore Messina, and now Hammon. Messina is a highly successful and respected international coach who had a brief job with the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 2011-12 season. The Spurs also avoided having assistant coach Chip Engelland poached by Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors this summer.

Lisa Boyer was a "volunteer assistant coach" on John Lucas' coaching staff for the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2002. Boyer participated in the home practices and was on the side next to assistant Chuck Person for all of the Cavs' home games, but did not travel with the team. At the time, only two assistant coaches were allowed to sit on the team bench, so Boyer and Person had to be situated nearby but not directly on the bench.

Adding Hammon builds on the perception the Spurs aren't afraid of thinking outside of the conventional ways of building an organization. The majority of their roster has come from outside the United States and they've been innovative in keeping the strength of the organization more about a focus and plan than the stars playing for it. Hammon has been involved with professional basketball for nearly two decades and has clearly impressed Gregg Popovich, R.C. Buford, and the organization with her understanding of the game.

Hammon has worked with the Spurs before:

KC native · 08-05-2014, 01:16 PM

GO SPURS GO!

Katipan · 08-05-2014, 01:16 PM

I've always been a Spurs fan.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-05-2014, 01:38 PM

Commie.

Clyde Frog · 08-05-2014, 01:46 PM

Gonna be real awky in the locker room, after games, for her. Hope she likes seeing the BBD up close and personal.

-King- · 08-05-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clyde Frog

Gonna be real awky in the locker room, after games, for her. Hope she likes seeing the BBD up close and personal.

She most likely won't be there during those times. Same way male WNBA coaches aren't in the locker room when the players are dressing and undressing.

Clyde Frog · 08-05-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

She most likely won't be there during those times. Same way male WNBA coaches aren't in the locker room when the players are dressing and undressing.

What the hell is the WNBA? Is that some kind of joke?

Halfcan · 08-05-2014, 01:51 PM

I wonder who she had to **** to get the job?

I mean- congrats!!

**Bufkin** · 08-05-2014, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clyde Frog

What the hell is the WNBA? Is that some kind of joke?

A bunch of transvestites running around at a whistle blowing convention.

PunkinDrublic · 08-05-2014, 02:26 PM

She'll teach Ginoboli how to put more drama into his flops if that's possible.

PunkinDrublic · 08-05-2014, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clyde Frog

What the hell is the WNBA? Is that some kind of joke?

That's for the fan to decide.

**alpha_omega** · 08-05-2014, 02:29 PM

If it was anyone but the Spurs, i might think it's strange...but Pop has proven that he knows what he's doing...i will trust that he does here as well.

**ptlyon** · 08-05-2014, 02:34 PM

She's going to be used like a pin cushion around there and dropped into a dumpster like an empty 40 by a homeless person

Just Passin' By · 08-05-2014, 02:38 PM

Pop finally has someone to bring him his coffee in the morning.

Deberg_1990 · 08-05-2014, 02:59 PM

Would

08-05-2014, 01:15 PM
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2861110	Spurs make history by hiring female assistant coach The San Antonio Spurs made history on Tuesday when they announced the hiring of Becky Hammon. Hammon has played in the WNBA for 16 seasons, and after becoming a naturalized Russian citizen in 2008, played on the Russian basketball team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. She can now add "first hired female assistant coach in the NBA" to her already impressive résumé. From the Spurs: The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Becky Hammon has been hired as an assistant coach. Per club policy terms of the contract were not announced. Hammon, who is currently in her 16th WNBA season, announced on July 23 that she would retire as a player at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Named one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All-Time in July of 2011, Hammon ranks seventh in WNBA history in points (with 5,809), fourth in assists (1,687) and sixth in games (445). “I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.” Over the past year, the Spurs lost two very respected assistant coaches in Mike Budenholzer and Brett Brown. Budenholzer became the coach of the Atlanta Hawks while Brown took over the sidelines for the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, the Spurs have replenished the sidelines with Jim Boylen, Ettore Messina, and now Hammon. Messina is a highly successful and respected international coach who had a brief job with the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 2011-12 season. The Spurs also avoided having assistant coach Chip Engelland poached by Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors this summer. Lisa Boyer was a "volunteer assistant coach" on John Lucas' coaching staff for the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2002. Boyer participated in the home practices and was on the side next to assistant Chuck Person for all of the Cavs' home games, but did not travel with the team. At the time, only two assistant coaches were allowed to sit on the team bench, so Boyer and Person had to be situated nearby but not directly on the bench. Adding Hammon builds on the perception the Spurs aren't afraid of thinking outside of the conventional ways of building an organization. The majority of their roster has come from outside the United States and they've been innovative in keeping the strength of the organization more about a focus and plan than the stars playing for it. Hammon has been involved with professional basketball for nearly two decades and has clearly impressed Gregg Popovich, R.C. Buford, and the organization with her understanding of the game. Hammon has worked with the Spurs before:
Posts: 50,420

08-05-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
KC native Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10049239	GO SPURS GO!
Posts: 24,946

08-05-2014, 01:16 PM	#3
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2830351	I've always been a Spurs fan. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 22,576

08-05-2014, 01:38 PM	#4
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6774952	Commie. __________________
Posts: 35,694

08-05-2014, 01:46 PM	#5
Clyde Frog Tre Right, Three Jet Chip Wasp Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Land of the Tech Bro Casino cash: $5192474	Gonna be real awky in the locker room, after games, for her. Hope she likes seeing the BBD up close and personal.
Posts: 3,723

08-05-2014, 01:51 PM	#8
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	I wonder who she had to **** to get the job? I mean- congrats!!
Posts: 43,200

08-05-2014, 02:26 PM	#10
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $6480670	She'll teach Ginoboli how to put more drama into his flops if that's possible. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976
Posts: 9,147

08-05-2014, 02:29 PM	#12
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1731251	If it was anyone but the Spurs, i might think it's strange...but Pop has proven that he knows what he's doing...i will trust that he does here as well.
Posts: 16,724

08-05-2014, 02:34 PM	#13
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $13173829	She's going to be used like a pin cushion around there and dropped into a dumpster like an empty 40 by a homeless person __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 33,468

08-05-2014, 02:38 PM	#14
Just Passin' By In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $5460524	Pop finally has someone to bring him his coffee in the morning.
Posts: 69,748

08-05-2014, 02:59 PM	#15
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Would __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914