Spurs promote assistant coach Becky Hammon

[Carnac]

The Spurs announced Wednesday that they have promoted Hammon and that she will fill the spot vacated by James Borrego on the team's roster of assistant coaches. Borrego left the Spurs to become the new coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Hammon has been a member of the San Antonio coaching staff since 2014 and was one of six assistants under Gregg Popovich last season. Hammon has been among the assistants who sit in the row directly behind the Spurs' bench, but this move means she will be in the front row alongside Popovich starting this season. Hammond is destined to be a coach at some level soon, be it college or pro. After 3 years of sitting under Pop, who is considered one of the best and most knowledgeable coaches in the league, whatever she didn't know upon her arrival, she knows now.

 

[eebmg]

First assignment: Fix the relationship with Kawai Leonard.

 

[victor64]

It is time for Ms. Hammon to make the jump and accept a head coaching gig. Would love to know why she hasn't yet. She is qualified to coach men but would unfortunately get undue attention because of the uniqueness of the situation.

 

[oldude]

It is time for Ms. Hammon to make the jump and accept a head coaching gig. Would love to know why she hasn't yet. She is qualified to coach men but would unfortunately get undue attention because of the uniqueness of the situation.

I don't know that Hammon is ready to be a HC of a men's pro team yet, but Pop seems to be bringing her along slowly but surely to the point where she will be ready soon. She replaces James Borrego who is now the HC in Charlotte. That makes her a "front of the bench" assistant coach.

Hammon certainly could have been a HC at a major WBB program already, had she wanted to, and perhaps even a HC for a college MBB program. But it appears that Hammon has her sites set on being a HC in the NBA. To Pop's credit, he continues to give her every opportunity to develop and assume additional responsibility. I also believe that neither Hammon nor Pop want to see her fail once the opportunity presents itself. For that reason, I think they both view this as a systematic process and not some kind of public relations gimmick.

If Hammon were to get a HC job ahead of many long time NBA assistant coaches, there would be considerable pushback. Hell, when the NBA coaches didn't give a single vote for Coach of the Year to Brad Stevens, you get some idea how closed a fraternity it is. When the time comes, hopefully Hammon will be viewed as an experienced insider with substantial NBA coaching experience.

 

[Checkmate]

Why would any women be interested in being a head coach in the NBA? The stars do not listen to the men's coaches, there is no chance they will listen to a woman.

 

[oldude]

Why would any women be interested in being a head coach in the NBA? The stars do not listen to the men's coaches, there is no chance they will listen to a woman.

Lots of reasons I can think of, but how about $$$$$.

 

[CocoHusky]

It is time for Ms. Hammon to make the jump and accept a head coaching gig. Would love to know why she hasn't yet. She is qualified to coach men but would unfortunately get undue attention because of the uniqueness of the situation.

It is my understanding that there is an established pecking order/progression for NBA assistant coaches to the HC position as mentioned in @Scoop write up. Behind the bench goes to on the bench then to first assistant. Becky was behind the bench last year. Some NBA teams have the equivalent of a defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator as first assistants. 4 years is not a very long time for an WNBA assistant.
More typical is the Atlanta Hawks hiring Lloyd Pierce as head coach. Lloyd was an assistant coach for 11 years and was essentially the 76ers defense coordinator last year.
Hawks name 76ers assistant Lloyd Pierce new head coach

 

[CocoHusky]

Why would any women be interested in being a head coach in the NBA? The stars do not listen to the men's coaches, there is no chance they will listen to a woman.

NBA Head Coach Salary - How Much Do They Make Each Year

 

[eebmg]

One of the benefits of hiring a woman is you can do it for 50 cents on the dollar.

 

[oldude]

One of the benefits of hiring a woman is you can do it for 50 cents on the dollar.

Careful. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of Husky Nan.

 

[eebmg]

Careful. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of Husky Nan.

I think the ironic sarcasm shines through.

 

[Checkmate]

Lots of reasons I can think of, but how about $$$$$.

Maybe the only reason. ....is it worth 100+ games of BS. College appears to be a better option.

 

[oldude]

Maybe the only reason. ....is it worth 100+ games of BS. College appears to be a better option.

If you’re talking about coaching college women, I generally agree with you. But the “one and done” crowd of college men can certainly be a challenge to coach.

I would point out that there are NBA teams that appear to operate professionally with a minimum of BS. I would include Golden State and Boston to name a few. Up until this past season, I would have also included San Antonio, but the Kawhi Leonard drama knocked them off the list.

 

[JellyBean]

Congrats, Becky Hammon!!

 

[BigBird]

I like this hire. Hammon isn’t some unknown imposter. She has paid her dues and done the work. Good for her!

 

[Wally East]

Maybe the only reason. ....is it worth 100+ games of BS. College appears to be a better option.

Something pro coaches don't have to deal with: recruiting.

 

[the Q]

She's my choice for Geno's successor.