dougthonus wrote:dice wrote:i do think that popovich might have hired her not entirely based on her merits as a coach. he's a progressive guy and seems to enjoy rocking the boat of tradition. plus, he knows that the culture that he has in place in san antonio insulates her to some degree. she is getting more latitude to prove herself there than she would anywhere else in the league
She got hired just to be an assistant coach. I'm not sure you would think she was unqualified for an entry level coaching position after having a HOF type career in the WNBA and college basketball playing as a PG (which typically is the more cerebral position on the floor), especially as one whom didn't blow you away with athleticism.
I would think it's fairly common for people to have any type of general experience with basketball as a gateway to that job. She's since been promoted to Spurs lead assistant. One would think that's because she's done a good job while there and isn't for show (as there's really no reason to do that for show).
I still agree with everything else you said outside of merit though. I do think it's a move a lot of other people wouldn't have wanted to risk regardless of her merits.
i didn't say she was unqualified. i said that that might not have been the entirety of the basis for her hire. there are countless similarly qualified individuals (more so if you consider playing mens basketball at a high level more of a qualification for coaching mens basketball)
