After the exclusion of Gregg Popovich, Becky Hammon became Wednesday night the first woman to coach an NBA team, along with the San Antonio Spurs.
In a year 2020 which will not have known only beautiful firsts, this one is quite a pleasing one. Becky Hammon wrote a page in NBA history by becoming the first woman to coach in the regular season, and the first in all US sports.
It was Wednesday night, during the meeting between San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers (121-107 victory for the Californians). Greg Popovich, the Spurs coach, was sent off during the second quarter. He then entrusted the reins of his team to his assistant, Hammon: ” They are yours “, launched “Pop” to the former playmaker. “It was a special moment”, reacted the one who has been in the staff of the Texan team since 2014.
đ At 3:56 of the 2nd quarter, Gregg #Popovich got kicked out of the game against the Lakers. He threw a “You got ’em” at Becky #Hammon.
â¶ ïž She thus became the first woman to take on the role of head coach of a team #NBA
Congratulations to her đȘ #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/5KEzEfbFEY
– CafĂ© CrĂšme Sport (@CafeCremeSport) December 31, 2020
After the meeting, Hammon received congratulations from all sides. ” We must take our hat off to him, reacted point guard Dejounte Murray. She’s been here since I’ve been here. I watch her talk to all the players, whether it’s a veteran dude or a young dude. Just using his voice and his knowledge of the game. â âBecky played, and any player who knows the history of women’s basketball knows what she meant to the sport.added DeMar DeRozan. She is one of us. When she speaks, we are all listening. “ And the “King” LeBron James abounds: “Tonight, she was able to step in and show her work, show her talents and her love for the game.”
Hammon coached Spurs in the Summer League a few years ago. She is called to become the main coach of an NBA team in the years to come. Maybe to Spurs, when the legendary Popovich takes over. “She really knows her job, says Frank Vogel, the coach of the reigning champions.Obviously, she’s here for a reason. It is equipped. She is intelligent. The guys have great respect for her. And I think she will one day be a head coach in this league. “
âThe future is bright for her, concludes Dejounte Murray. She’s definitely on the right track, and I think everyone here is enjoying her. She sets an example for all women. “
We đ you @BeckyHammon pic.twitter.com/3CiCVWZyI7
– WNBA (@WNBA) December 31, 2020