Spurs' Becky Hammon: Being first woman to serve as NBA head coach 'a substantial moment'

[demmiblue]

Source: ESPN

Becky Hammon made history Wednesday by becoming the first woman to act as head coach during an NBA regular-season game.

The San Antonio assistant coach filled in for head coach Gregg Popovich after he was ejected in the first half of the Spurs' 121-107 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.

"Obviously, it's a big deal," Hammon said after the game. "It's a substantial moment. I've been a part of this organization, I got traded here in 2007, 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."

Popovich received a technical foul and was run from the game with 3:56 remaining in the second quarter for arguing with a referee over a no-call as his team trailed the Lakers 52-41.

Read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30627408/spurs-becky-hammon-becomes-first-woman-nba-regular-season-history-act-head-coach

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[kimmylavin]

1. Fantastic!

And I really like that picture; they know she knows what she's doing.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Is It A Big Deal? Yes

Is it a big deal for her? Not really. She's been running practices for Popovich for 5 years.
The players are used to listening to her. They all know she's in charge.
It's a moment in history, but it was easy for her.
BTW: she was a heck of a player in her day, as well. Very high basketball IQ. Her becoming a coach made perfect sense.

[OverBurn]

3. I was a big fan of her's as a player.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. For Good Reason

She was one of the best help defenders I've ever seen in the women's game.
Always knew where to be, where to go, and when to go there. The game ran slowly in her mind.
Still must, because she's the #1 assistant for a team in a league where things move faster than any in the world.
She could be a HC for any team. But, I think the plan is to hand her the keys when Pop goes upstairs.