Spurs assistant Becky Hammon is among the candidates who will be interviewed for the Trail Blazers‘ head coaching vacancy, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Sources tell Charania that other names on Portland’s list include Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, Spurs vice president of basketball operations Brent Barry and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
Either Hammon or Staley would make history by becoming the NBA’s first-ever female head coach. Hammon will also interview for the head coaching job with the Magic, Charania adds.
Hammon, 44, has been on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio since 2014. She became the first woman to serve as a head coach in the Summer League in 2015 and was the first female on an All-Star Game coaching staff in 2016.
Staley, 51, is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She has coached the South Carolina women’s team since 2008 and has been coach of the USA national women’s team since 2017.
A report this week identified Billups and D’Antoni as candidates in Portland, with Billups considered to be the front-runner. He is also rumored to be in contention for the Celtics’ coaching vacancy.
After retiring from the NBA, Barry spent several years as a broadcaster before joining the Spurs in a front-office role in 2018. He has no previous coaching experience.
Good list
Becky was a point guard, so is Billups
1+1=2
So there is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame? Can we have a Pro Basketball Hall of Fame or NBA Hall of Fame?
Billups feels like the right choice for them… Magic should hire Hammon. They haven’t had anything going good for them in awhile and maybe she can establish a San Antonio like culture there.
Man I remember when I was in the league playing for the spurs she was just a great coach hope she gets the job
I think the Magic is a better place for her to start. A rebuilding team with young players. I think she’ll have more freedom there. I want her to do well. She’s a basketball lifer. There’s a lot of pressure on that Blazers job now. Plus they may make major moves.
I actually think the best spot for Becky would be in San Antonio when Pop retires. I can’t see Pop being on the bench for more than another two years, and Hammond is the perfect Spurs culture successor.
Billups to Portland, D’Antoni to Indy and Udoka to Boston. No clue who wants or takes the Magic job.
Everyone was saying next year, at least three years ago. Popovich has already stayed beyond the most obvious retirement point. That is likely “best for Becky” though.
Get it, girl!
I wouldn’t play for her. Can’t respect someone that’s never played in league. That goes for men and women
So you wouldn’t play for Nick Nurse or Quin Snyder? That’s curious, to say the least
I normally don’t engage with this type of low-hanging drivel, but this might literally be the most narrow-minded basketball-based comment I’ve ever seen on this website. I just couldn’t let it go this time. I don’t know why you can’t, and I’m sure your reasons are completely well-versed and incredibly intelligent, but I guess you can’t respect:
Gregg Popovich — 24 years, 1963 regular season games coached, 1310 wins. 284 playoff games coached, 170 wins, and 5 NBA titles.
Erik Spoelstra — 13 years, 1031 games coached, 607 wins. 143 playoff games coached, 85 wins, and 2 titles.
Just to name a couple of active examples.
Obviously, having played in the NBA is the only true harbinger of coaching success and worthiness of respect. Let’s just ask Elgin Baylor (.389 win %), Isiah Thomas (.456 win %), or Kurt Rambis (.279 win %.) Ouch.
“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” – Mark Twain
What’s funny is I’m willing to bet Becky Hammon is probably a better player than the dude who posted this.
“Boom-roasted”
– Michael Scott
That’s a Lincoln quote pal
I believe Thibs never played in the league. Neither Van Gundy played in the league. Chuck Daly didn’t play in the league. Nor did Frank Vogel.
Are you afraid of all humans with vaginas, or is it just the ones who do sports better than you?
Tats is back! WOOOOO!
She has played in the WNBA. She lead the S.A stars to chips!
Maybe she can lead someone to pretzels
YESSSSSS!!!! please go all out and hire her!!!!!
Why do you want to be on a basketball forum Tats. 90% of your takes are negative. And 60% is not even about Ball.
She is Colorados best female player ever. Played in WNBA 13 yrs. She’s been mentored by heavy hitters in NBA. This ain’t rocket science. You love this game. You can do what you want in it. She’s obviously paid her dues.