Chauncey Billups was recently named the head coach of the Trail Blazers, but Becky Hammon was one of the finalists for the job, as she would’ve been the first female head coach in NBA history.
If you ask Hammon, she was seemingly aware that Billups was the clear favorite for the job no matter how far she got in the interview process.
“I knew I was second; I knew who they wanted,” Hammon said. “And I’m OK with that, because every race I’ve gotten into my entire life, I’ve been behind, and I’m OK with that. And that’s just how it is — but at the same time, I’m not ignorant to what I’m going up against.”
While many people around the game of basketball felt Hammon was deserving of this opportunity, she isn’t resentful of the decision GM Neil Olshey ultimately made.
“I’m not mad,” Hammon said. “This is the business, and it’s a very competitive business. But, at the end of the day, throw everything out the window — if you want to hire me, you’ll find a reason to hire me. And if you don’t want to hire me, you’ll find that reason, too. And that’s just that.”
While Hammon craves the opportunity to become a head coach someday, she’s not ready to jump into any situation that she doesn’t feel would be a good fit for her.
“I need to be the right coach — not male or female — the right coach, for the right team, in the right city, at the right time,” Hammon said.
What she is ready for, however, is all the responsibilities it takes to be a successful head coach in the NBA.
“I’m ready to be scrutinized,” Hammon said. “Whether I do it all wrong or do it all right — it is what it is. My job is to show up for the players and be the leader and person that believes in them the most.”
More Coaching News
- Phil Handy interviewed for the Wizards’ head coaching job last month, according to Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. Jamahl Mosley, Darvin Ham, Charles Lee and Wes Unseld Jr. all recently emerged as candidates for the open head coaching position for the Wizards, but Mosley is now off the board as he took the Magic’s head coaching job. Washington also recently interviewed Kevin Young. Whoever the Wizards decide to hire, Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook will have a say in who they want as their next head coach.
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Ronald Nored is finalizing a deal with the Pacers to join Rick Carlisle‘s staff, according to Scott Agnes of Fieldhouse Files with Scott Agness. Nored also recently interviewed for the Wizards’ head coaching job, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
