Rebecca “Becky” Hammon became the first woman to lead an NBA team on Wednesday night in a regular season game in the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Hammon, remained at the helm of Spurs when the veteran coach, Gregg Popovich, was put out of play in the second quarter.
“She has worked hard and when you do the work you will be rewarded with opportunities. Of course she has paid the floor fee in recent years, Coach Pop has given her the opportunity to coach an elite team and join as a coach. in chief if anything happened to him, as it happened today, ”said LeBron James.
Hammon was a player of the University of Colorado and later, as a professional, defended the colors of the Freedom of New York and San Antonio Stars from WNBA. He also played in Europe before retiring as an athlete. Becky has dual citizenship, American and Russian. He defended the selection of the stars and stripes in the colors Copa Williams Jones, but when she was later ineligible for the roster, she joined the Russian team to win a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“(Tonight) he had to step forward to show his work, his talent and his love for the game. We all know what she did as a player by now, so in her mind she could transfer that to our League. She’s been amazing since she arrived, it was beautiful to hear her screaming cues and plays. She is very passionate about the game. Congratulations to her and our competition, ”said LeBron.
In 2014, after his sports retirement, Hammon joined Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff at Spurs. Hammon had already made league history when she became the first full-time assistant coach in the NBA. The former player is in 2019 Tim Duncan, stayed for the team when Popovich was also sent off a match. However, Duncan decided not to return as an assistant this season, so Hammon got his shot at the lead.
“It’s well deserved for her,” said the Lakers coach, Frank Vogel. “I have spoken with her a lot at coaching conventions, she knows her subject, she is here for a reason, she is very smart, the players appreciate her and I think she will coach in this league in the future, congratulations on her presence . front today for the first time ”.
The Spurs fell to the Lakers 121-107 with a LeBron James inspired by the day of his 36th birthday.Both teams will meet again on Friday to open 2021.