Spurs hire Becky Hammon as assistant coach

[GSH]

One of the worst coaches of all time was Quinn Buckner. He was hired as Dallas' head coach, with no NBA assistant coaching experience, and the team finished 13-69. But he didn't catch this much , because he had NBA playing experience... and a penis.

Sidney Lowe is considered one of the worst NBA coaches of all time - his career record as a coach was 79-228. But he didn't catch this much , because he played 4 years in the NBA, where he averaged 17.7 minutes and 2.2 ppg ... and he has a penis. (And that's why he's STILL an assistant coach in the NBA.)

My personal nominee for worst coach/executive of all time is Isiah Thomas. I don't think anybody has ever been able to up a franchise as effectively as him. He took over a Pacers team that had been to the Finals the year before, and led them to three straight first round losses - and that was much better than what he did to the Knicks. Thomas was imminently qualified to be a head coach, because he was a HOF'er... and he had a penis. (Past tense - he lost it in his sexual harassment suit.)

All of those guys looked much better on paper than Pop, I guess, because they had experience as NBA players? But hey... at least Pop has a penis.

Poor Becky Hammon. No NBA experience... and no penis. The only reason she was hired is that the Spurs know that they can't repeat this season, and they need a scapegoat. Plus the fact that Tony is married again, and they don't want him banging any of the other players' wives. They haven't released the terms of her contract, but I'm sure they're paying her in shoes and Midol.

What a bunch of some of the comments are. She's qualified because the Spurs' management evaluated her, and say she is. Nearly everybody here hated Ime Udoka, and thought he sucked as a player. Nobody questioned his qualifications when he was hired as an assistant. Because he averaged 18 minutes and 5.2 ppg in four lackluster seasons, plus three more seasons where he played a total of 32 games... and he has a penis.

[ajh18]

You're overlooking one key aspect, Pop had experience coaching men, starting in college and working his way up. He wasn't coaching a bunch of scrub s to suddenly land a pro men's job out of the blue. The same rings true for other male coaches in the league who obviously have an understanding of how MEN play the game and how it's vastly different from the women's game. Hey what's done is done and we have no choice but to accept the fact she's with the team but she's gonna really have to earn some respect and try to not get in the way of a le defense no matter how small her actual role may be.

I think you can definitely make an argument that working with professional women is closer to the NBA than working with amateur or D-3 college men.

[cjw]

I think you're giving the wnba too much credit.

Do you doubt that Geno Auriema would be a top coach in men's college basketball if he didn't leave his cushy position? Hammon isn't just any old WNBA player like DFish was to the NBA. She excelled at many aspects of the game - saw floor very well - and has been around the team for a year plus in the vicinity for many more. I trust Pop here. This is no different than any other first time coach getting a shot, and they have had to dig deep considering all of the assistants who've been snagged by crappy East teams.

[Obstructed_View]

Question I haven't seen brought up amidst all these well-thought-out takes: Was there an assistant spot open? I thought Messina took Kiwi's spot.

[GSH]

Question I haven't seen brought up amidst all these well-thought-out takes: Was there an assistant spot open? I thought Messina took Kiwi's spot.

I wondered the same thing.

But your comment reminded me of something else. All these people saying that Becky Hammond is not qualified because she has no experience with the NBA, etc. I wonder how many of them know who Chad Forcier is?

For all you brain surgeons who think NBA experience, or at least playing men's basketball, is a prerequisite for being an NBA assistant coach - Chad Forcier is an assistant with the Spurs. He never played NBA basketball. He also never played college basketball. Imagine that. I wonder why all of you weren't screaming about him being unqualified, when he was hired? He had some experience as an NBA assistant, before coming here. But he originally got hired as an NBA assistant without even playing college ball. But hey... he has a penis.

And, ultimately, that's what makes him qualified, isn't it?

[ElNono]

Question I haven't seen brought up amidst all these well-thought-out takes: Was there an assistant spot open? I thought Messina took Kiwi's spot.

"Hi Sean Marks. I'm gonna need you to move that desk all the way back to the wall"

Sean Marks: "That's my red stapler!"

[DocDoc]

I think you're giving the wnba too much credit. Sure, they have to compensate for their lack of supreme athleticism by learning to be as highly skilled as possible but that skill is applied to women. What does she know about applying that skill against men? The NBA game is faster, more complex and longer than what she's been used to. The way she interprets reacting to plays, picks, and switches is a whole other animal against men. What does she understand about ball handling against pressure she's never faced in the wnba? Making quick decisions in a 24 second shot clock? We can go on and on and they are all legit questions.

This is just stupid. By this reasoning, you can only coach something if you performed at that level? So, Pop, having never been an elite NBA player, can't coach elite NBA players? I think the evidence is that he can and Becky should have no issues. By this reasoning, no one should have been able to coach Kobe or Jordan.

Coaching isn't playing.

There is this thing called observing and thinking, which you obviously are unaware of....

[spursparker9]

Look like Tony spent the most time with her compared to others

[Obstructed_View]

I wondered the same thing.

But your comment reminded me of something else. All these people saying that Becky Hammond is not qualified because she has no experience with the NBA, etc. I wonder how many of them know who Chad Forcier is?

For all you brain surgeons who think NBA experience, or at least playing men's basketball, is a prerequisite for being an NBA assistant coach - Chad Forcier is an assistant with the Spurs. He never played NBA basketball. He also never played college basketball. Imagine that. I wonder why all of you weren't screaming about him being unqualified, when he was hired? He had some experience as an NBA assistant, before coming here. But he originally got hired as an NBA assistant without even playing college ball. But hey... he has a penis.

And, ultimately, that's what makes him qualified, isn't it?

The only part of Hammon's hiring that worries me has nothing to do with her gender. The examples of a player's ability or success not translating to their abilities as a coach are a bit of a relief.

I read an article on ESPN about how basketball smart she is, how she knows exactly where to go, she can scout everyone on the floor and can compute how to get the best shot. I do not watch a ton of WNBA ball, but I did watch her from time to time, and smart shot selection was never something I equated with her game. Very Kobe-like, she's a chucker as a player. Regardless of the outcome she always manages to get her numbers. For all her stats she certainly never seemed to bring wins or make anyone better. She's got some stats, like assists, because she's been in the league a long time. I imagine she's probably higher on the career list in turnovers than she is in assists.

Not that any of that should matter. One would think she's been vetted by the team, and she's there because she's got the ability to do well. I hope she has a ring this time next year.

[will_spurs]

She's an assistant coach, not a head coach nor a player. She's there mostly to learn. She's got Pop's stamp of approval and that's enough for me.

Re: the other asst coaches, I don't like Boylen. This guy thinks Ayres is the 2nd coming of Tim Duncan and forgets one of his best players on the bench. I really hope he goes.

I'm not convinced Udoka is the next in line. I'd say he's just being trained as a future head coach as a courtesy for being part of the Spurs family. I really think Coach Bud is going to come back to San Antonio when Pop leaves.

[benefactor]

SRS question El, if the Spurs repeat will the media take it wrong seeing 12 black men and a Mexican pouring champagne all over a white woman in the locker room tbh?

Ruff, you seem like the type of guy that drinks a big glass of milk every morning tbh.

...thread victory.

[smaka]

The stuff about her giving up her American citizenship to play for Russia in the Olympics (since she couldn't make the U.S. national team) is a bit dicey for me, especially as she has no Russian ethnicity that I am aware of, but it's her life and her decision. Other than that, I like her and welcome her to the Spurs.

Actually it wasn't just for the Olympics. In Russia where she played during WNBA offseason, they have a rule of max. 2 Americans on the team's roster. So by having non American passport, she became more valuable to her team because it gave them chance to have 3 Americans on board. Not the only one who did that, see Bird, Nolan...

[smaka]

OT, but Hammon is a confirmed lesbian right? She'd be the first openly lesbian coach in the NBA as well tbh.

She is yeah, never really said it, but everyone knows it. Sorry guys.

As a proud liberal, I'm not to proud to admit I have a problem with having a woman on the coaching staff, especially on a team with one of the horniest mother ers in the league in TP. Hopefully she's a full-time carpet muncher but that wouldn't stop TP from banging her lover at least. Seriously though, what can she possibly add to the table with the wnba being a vastly different game than professional men's basketball? I mean, even that pussy geno aureama(sp?) refuses to venture outside college women hoops despite a reputation as a basketball genius. He knows his role and his limitations and if he doesn't think he can coach female pros let alone men, how could I think Hammon is qualified for this role? Why would I think she can add to the toughness of this championship team? Oh well, in Pop I trust, I guess...except when it comes to Bonner.

Geno Auriemma is also coaching US national team, so your statement kind of isn't right.

[spursparker9]

She is yeah, never really said it, but everyone knows it. Sorry guys.

Somewhere, Tony is saying "Challenge Accepted !"

[smaka]

And wow SpurPadre, you really have problems with her being a woman, huh? So she is gonna suck because she lacks experience with men's basketball? Tell me something, why isn't Kidd one of the best coaches already, knowing the experience he has in the NBA? Things don't work that way, man. Becky basically played two seasons a year, summer in WNBA and the rest of the year in Euroleague and Russia. Has many experience, knows the system since she was there last season... She deserves a chance, especially if Pop thinks so.
As it was said thousand times, she wasn't hired because of her gender, but knowledge. And I trust the Spurs organisation with that.

[jag]

OT, but Hammon is a confirmed lesbian right? She'd be the first openly lesbian coach in the NBA as well tbh.

She's played in the WNBA for like 15 years. I'm not sure how much more confirmation you need.

I'm pretty sure she's Tony's #1 wingman when they go clam hunting together.

[exstatic]

Lol, I'm just joking. Look past that and you'll see I'm raising legit concerns.

"I'm just joking": the refuge of the lame who get called out.

[exstatic]

I think you're giving the wnba too much credit. Sure, they have to compensate for their lack of supreme athleticism by learning to be as highly skilled as possible but that skill is applied to women. What does she know about applying that skill against men? The NBA game is faster, more complex and longer than what she's been used to. The way she interprets reacting to plays, picks, and switches is a whole other animal against men. What does she understand about ball handling against pressure she's never faced in the wnba? Making quick decisions in a 24 second shot clock? We can go on and on and they are all legit questions.

You act like she's having to play against them.



Idiot. She's probably played and succeeded against better athletes than Pop a hundred years ago at the AF academy.

[Obstructed_View]

Magic - great player, terrible NBA coach
Popovich - never played in the NBA, great NBA coach
Gar Heard - great player, terrible NBA coach
Red Auerbach - never played in the NBA, great NBA coach
Isiah - great player, terrible NBA coach
Chuck Daly - never played in the NBA, great NBA coach

[littlecoyotecoin]

First, lol considering "reckless behavior" consulting 3 doctors, sitting during 40 days and at the first glimpse of pain backing down of the NT. And I never said Manu was making the right decision by trying to play the WC, I did say he wanted to play for himself and for his teammates, not for the fans.

Second, on hiring Becky, i think is risky because she doesn´t have NBA experience, not because she is a woman, but i never said it was "to risky" for me. Ultimately, her having a bad perfomance will have a bigger impact on herself than on the Spurs.

He didn't consult 3 doctors. The Spurs doctors were one of the three you're counting, who gave him the more accurate and less reckless and risky advice, and he immediately dismissed it and went searching for a doctor that wouldn't give that opinion so that he could "cut" his healing time. Now that his gambit failed, and he has aggravated his his injury, you aren't so adamant about his right to play and practice with the NT. Typical.

And, not so risky for The Spurs, after all, with regard to Becky. Just risky for herself, ok.

I am quite happy with your revisionist history and modified opinions.

[littlecoyotecoin]

She's played in the WNBA for like 15 years. I'm not sure how much more confirmation you need.

I'm pretty sure she's Tony's #1 wingman when they go clam hunting together.

I was going to make a comment about The Spurs possibly filling TWO quota boxes when they hired her. Then I thought better of it for not speculating and being a little tacky. Now I can just sit back with a feeling of superiority and read your post, and think what a horrible person you are for saying such a thing.

[FireMicoHalili]

PSA

“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”― Mark Twain

[MB20]

Hammon del medio

[leo_d]

I don´t know if this post is directed to me, but as I brought up the "nba experience" I will asume it is

One of the worst coaches of all time was Quinn Buckner. He was hired as Dallas' head coach, with no NBA assistant coaching experience, and the team finished 13-69. But he didn't catch this much , because he had NBA playing experience... and a penis.

Sidney Lowe is considered one of the worst NBA coaches of all time - his career record as a coach was 79-228. But he didn't catch this much , because he played 4 years in the NBA, where he averaged 17.7 minutes and 2.2 ppg ... and he has a penis. (And that's why he's STILL an assistant coach in the NBA.)

My personal nominee for worst coach/executive of all time is Isiah Thomas. I don't think anybody has ever been able to up a franchise as effectively as him. He took over a Pacers team that had been to the Finals the year before, and led them to three straight first round losses - and that was much better than what he did to the Knicks. Thomas was imminently qualified to be a head coach, because he was a HOF'er... and he had a penis. (Past tense - he lost it in his sexual harassment suit.)

All of those guys looked much better on paper than Pop, I guess, because they had experience as NBA players? But hey... at least Pop has a penis.

I don´t think that picking the guys that look better on paper is a bad strategy, sometimes it can go wrong, but sure as will give you more results than the "picking the guys that look bad on paper" strategy.

Poor Becky Hammon. No NBA experience... and no penis. The only reason she was hired is that the Spurs know that they can't repeat this season, and they need a scapegoat. Plus the fact that Tony is married again, and they don't want him banging any of the other players' wives. They haven't released the terms of her contract, but I'm sure they're paying her in shoes and Midol.

What a bunch of some of the comments are. She's qualified because the Spurs' management evaluated her, and say she is. Nearly everybody here hated Ime Udoka, and thought he sucked as a player. Nobody questioned his qualifications when he was hired as an assistant. Because he averaged 18 minutes and 5.2 ppg in four lackluster seasons, plus three more seasons where he played a total of 32 games... and he has a penis.

I´ve seen other comments you made and you strike as a fair poster, but for some reason you are trying hard to make this a sexist thing. I maintain my position, hiring Becky can go right or wrong (mostly for her) but if it goes wrong, it will be because her experience in the WNBA didn´t translate on to the NBA, not because she is a woman.

When you say she is automatically qualified because the Spurs say she is, you give them a "they can do not wrong" aura, so if by any chance she can´t deliver, you´ll be "she was cappable so clearly they let her go her only because she is a woman and the players didn´t respect her".

Well, I don´t agree with that.

[exstatic]

I don´t know if this post is directed to me, but as I brought up the "nba experience" I will asume it is



I don´t think that picking the guys that look better on paper is a bad strategy, sometimes it can go wrong, but sure as will give you more results than the "picking the guys that look bad on paper" strategy.



I´ve seen other comments you made and you strike as a fair poster, but for some reason you are trying hard to make this a sexist thing. I maintain my position, hiring Becky can go right or wrong (mostly for her) but if it goes wrong, it will be because her experience in the NBA didn´t translate on to the NBA, not because she is a woman.

When you say she is automatically qualified because the Spurs say she is, you give them a "they can do not wrong" aura, so if by any chance she can´t deliver, you´ll be "she was cappable so clearly they let her go her only because she is a woman and the players didn´t respect her".

Well, I don´t agree with that.

If you look at the track record of teams stealing our assistants, you might have to re-evaluate your position. Pop DOES know how to pick and train assistants, and the rest of the league knows it and wants them.