Becky Hammon Hired as Assistant Coach

[Nolan]

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/spurs-make-hammon-nbas-1st-female-coach-24850726

The San Antonio Spurs hired WNBA star Becky Hammon on Tuesday, making her the first full-time, paid female assistant on an NBA coaching staff.

Hammon, who plans to retire from the San Antonio Stars after this season, spent time working with coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs last season and made a strong impression on an organization with a history of forward-thinking moves.

Last season, Hammon attended Spurs practices, film sessions and sat behind the bench for the NBA champions at home game this season. She's been friends with Spurs teammates Tony Parker and Tim Duncan since competing in an NBA All-Star shooting competition in 2008.

During the 2001-02 season, Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas brought Lisa Boyer into the team's practices and some games. Boyer, now an assistant at South Carolina, was not paid by the Cavaliers and did not travel with the team, but did work with the players and coaches that season.

I remember seeing her on the sidelines from time to time so I guess she impressed Pop's and company enough for them to make her an offical part of the staff.

It's debatable whether she's the first female coach in the NBA but regardless this is a pretty big moment for the league and for basketball in general.

[Frankie23]

Nice move, hope it turns out to be good for everyone.

She is the first female hired by an NBA team, so it can open doors to capable people, no matter their gender/nationality (Messina).

[C-Melo Man]

I think she is gonna do great under Pop. Her basketball IQ is at an incredibly high level with her experience in the WNBA. She was a player-coach on the floor & has the competitive fire that should coincide with Pop & the rest of the organization. Becky Hammon is my favorite WNBA player all-time. I can't wait to she what insight she is gonna bring to the San Antonio Spurs. She already has the respect from the players being around them a lot at games & competing in the NBA Shooting Stars during All-Star weekend. She will fit in well.

[willywazza]

Prettiest coach in the NBA.

[theman]

I am confused. Does she have any coaching experience or not?

[Nolan]

Prettiest coach in the NBA.

Stan Van disagree's

[Nolan]

I am confused. Does she have any coaching experience or not?

Not really. She worked with team at times last year but as far as I know that's all the coaching experience she has.

[RiversideClips]

Smart Coach in Becky Hammon, but a Classy move by a Classy Organization. No wonder why most teams want to be the Spurs.
Congrats on a great hire,its not like she wasn't working for the Spurs the past year anyway. Pop is a genius when finding talent, he just doesn't care if you can get the job done.

[RoyalMajesty]

If any organization was going to hired a female coach, it's the San Antonio Spurs and I wouldn't be surprised if Becky becomes a head coach in the NBA.

[spurcase]

I am confused. Does she have any coaching experience or not?

I don't think she has any formal coaching experience. I think it is a case of everyone has to start somewhere. Look at Derek Fisher, Steve Kerr, and Jason Kidd. They had no coaching experience and they have been hired as coaches in the NBA.

[mojomarc]

Becky spoke at a company event for us today, and I had a chance to speak to her for a few minutes. She seems really nice, very driven, and she has a very philosophical approach to leadership and coaching. A little nervous as a public speaker with nothing but her, a Microphone, and a picture on a giant screen behind her, but that's to be expected--I doubt she's had many opportunities to do the speaker circuit yet.

Like I told her, I wish her the greatest success, but when she's playing the Blazers I'm going to root for complete and abject failure

[ChosunX]

Spoke about what?