Although 2020 is almost over, it continues to present sporting milestones. On Wednesday night, for the first time, a woman served as a coach in an NBA game.
When Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was sent off after arguing with a referee in the second quarter of a game with the Los Angeles Lakers in San Antonio, he turned to his assistant Becky Hammon and indicated that she should take over the team.
“He officially pointed at me,” said Hammon. “That was it. Said, ‘You have them.’ Obviously, it’s a big deal. It is a substantial moment. “
“It was a normal business,” she added. “They are used to hearing my voice in practice. In practice, Pop will put us in two teams and each one will have a team. So, they’re used to hearing me out there, watching me draw a game on the board or whatever.
Although not much was said about the milestone during the game, which the Lakers won 121 to 107, the reaction came later.
“It’s a beautiful thing to just hear her screaming, barking sets,” said LeBron James of the Lakers. “She is very passionate about the game. So, congratulations to her, congratulations to our league. “
Hammon, 43, was not called up by Colorado State, but played for 16 years at the WNBA, where he was six times All Star. After being passed over by the United States Olympic Team, she represented Russia, where she also performed professionally, in the 2008 and 2012 Games.
On his flight home after the 2012 London Games, Hammon’s seatmate was Popovich. She recalled that he asked her, “So, if you were an assistant to me and I asked you something, would you tell me the truth?”
She replied, “I don’t know why else would you ask if you didn’t want me to tell the truth.” He replied, “Well, I don’t want a lot of men.”
In 2013, Hammon ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, abruptly ending his WNBA season. While she was in rehab, she served as a coaching intern with Spurs. And in 2014, Popovich hired her as the first full-time technical assistant in the league.
At the time, she said of Popovich: “Honestly, I don’t think he cares about me being a woman. And I don’t want to be hired because I’m a woman. ”She was the head coach of the Spurs Las Vegas Summer League team three times, winning the title in 2015.
There have been other milestones for women in sports this year.
In November, Sarah Fuller of Vanderbilt became the first woman to play and score in a regular season game at one of college football’s Power 5 conferences, when she kicked into the team. Kim Ng became the first woman hired to direct baseball operations for a major league team when she was appointed general manager of the Miami Marlins. In an exhibition game in July, Alyssa Nakken of the San Francisco Giants became the first woman to train on the pitch in the major leagues.
Hammon’s pioneering role in the league has sparked speculation that she will one day be the head coach, and it has been reported that she has been a candidate for several key positions in the past, most recently the Indiana Pacers.
“The future is bright for her,” said Spurs’ Dejounte Murray after the game. “I hope she just persists and doesn’t give up. One day it may happen, it may not happen, who knows, but she is definitely on the right track. “
Hammon sought to remain focused on his duties.
“I’m just in the moment with the guys,” she said. “Trying to find out the best way to help them.”