Milwaukee Bucks need to strongly consider hiring Becky Hammon
The Milwaukee Bucks are searching for a new head coach and have added candidates to their wish list, including San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon.
The annual head coach scramble is under way around the league as teams hope to strike gold with the next great play caller. The Milwaukee Bucks fired head coach Jason Kidd months ago, but were still talented enough to make the playoffs and push the Boston Celtics to seven games under interim coach Joe Prunty.
Prunty has earned the opportunity to formally apply for the position along with several other candidates. The latest name added to the Bucks’ interview list is surprising and already groundbreaking with the report from ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski that they intend to bring in San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon.
Per Woj, the Bucks are “intrigued” enough to bring her in for an interview, but she currently isn’t considered one of the top candidates. Milwaukee should seriously consider bumping her into that group, however.
Hammon has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach in the Spurs’ system working under the teachings of Gregg Popovich. Hammon is already the first full-time paid female assistant on an NBA coaching staff, with aspirations for a head coaching job. The former WNBA All-Star has shown leadership potential, leading the Spurs’ NBA Summer League squad to a championship back in 2015.
Hammon took he reins of the Spurs’ main roster during a preseason game last year (another win). She spoke with reporters after the game about the opportunity and relationship with Popovich.
"“It’s an amazing opportunity for me,” Hammon said. “But we’re a teaching program, and that comes directly from [Popovich]. So for him to give us this opportunity and the guys here a different voice, that’s what his [coaching] tree is kind of all about. It’s mentoring and bringing people along. For me, [assistant] Will Hardy, coach [James] Borrego and Ime [Udoka], it’s a nice opportunity to get out there, hold the clipboard and kind of be in the action.”"
It would be groundbreaking if the Bucks decided to hire Hammon, but it’s more importantly beneficial to the franchise’s growth. Hammon learning under the basketball mind of Popovich is very impressive considering his unorthodox, no-nonsense style that has propelled the Spurs to 21 straight winning seasons.
Popovich recently spoke with the media regarding the future prospect of Hammon getting a head coaching opportunity in the NBA.
"“It’s going to take somebody who has some guts, some imagination, and is not driven by old standards and old forms.” Popovich said. “If somebody is smart, it’s actually a pretty good marketing deal — but it’s not about that. It’s got to be that she’s competent, that she’s ready. It has nothing to do with her being a woman. She happens to be a woman.”"
As a player, Hammon was a six-time All-Star in the WNBA, playing 16 seasons for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Sliver Stars. She has played in other countries and already earned the respect of her peers, mentor and male players. Bucks management announcing Hammon as an option should open more eyes around the league to look past the irrational stigma of a female head coach somehow being a bad thing.
A franchise with such a great history in Milwaukee that’s looking to evolve in the Eastern Conference, led by its unique All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, needs a coach that will bring an experienced and winning attitude from a unique perspective.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
The world is evolving, and so should the NBA’s view on women in basketball.