The story written in the NBA wednesday night when Becky Hammon stepped in as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, fitting the first woman to serve as head coach in a regular NBA game.
Hammon, in his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Spurs, took over after Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was sent off in the first half of the Spurs’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Obviously, it’s a big problem,” Hammon said after the game, according to ESPN. “It’s a really long moment. “
“I was a member of this organization, I was changed here in 2007, so I’m in San Antonio and I’m a member of the Spurs and the Sports Organization with the Stars and all for thirteen years,” he said. have invested a lot of time, and have invested a lot of time in me, to build myself and me. “
Hammon is a former WNBA star who retired in 2014 after a 16-year, 8-season race for the San Antonio Stars, according to her biography on the Spurs website.
She named one of the 15 most sensible WNBA players of all time and was in the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, according to her biography.
Although he made history, Hammon said it “as usual” to the team, adding that Spurs players are “used to hearing my voice in training. “
“Becky has played, and any player who knows the history of women’s basketball knows what it meant for the sport,” said Spurs goalkeeper DeMar DeRozan, according to ESPN. “Don’t think twice. She’s one of us. When she speaks, we are all ears. “
Spurs’ shipowner base, Dejounte Murray, added: “The long term is brilliant for her. I hope you stand firm and don’t give up. One day, it may or may not happen, the right way, and I think everyone here appreciates it. She set an example for all women. “
Hammon earned praise from Lakers star LeBron James.
“She’s worked a little, and every time you work, you’re rewarded with opportunities,” James said, according to ESPN. “Tonight she was able to step in and show her work, show her talent and love for the game. And, obviously, what she did as a player, first of all, we all know that. So her spirit could move to our league, and she’s been wonderful since her arrival. “
“It’s great to hear her bark calls, her barking games, and she’s very passionate about the game, so congratulations to her and congratulations to the league,” she said.
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