The Trail Blazers’ head coaching job is still up for grabs, as team officials have slowly acknowledged potential candidates and their interview opportunities. Nets assistant coach Mike D’Antoni spoke with the team Monday. Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups is rumored to speak with Blazer officials early this week. There’s another name circulated through the NBA rumor mill that has fans and pundits excited for a possible new era in the NBA; Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon.
She would be the first woman head coach in NBA history. But is she the right fit for Portland, right now?
Hammon has served as an assistant for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio since 2014. During that span she’s witnessed an organization work through the departure of figureheads like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker. She also witnessed how an organization deals with unruly players like Kawhi Leonard, who sat out for major portions of the 2017-18 seasons with a mysterious injury.
Compile those experiences into a resume and it’s clear she knows how to handle different team dynamics. The Portland Trail Blazers are currently coming to terms with Damian Lillard’s dwindling prime window. Hammon would be a stellar option to lead this franchise through a difficult time for their superstar.
Hammon also seems ready to be the NBA’s first women’s head coach. She expressed excitement about the opportunity when speaking to CBS Sports back in April. "People don't like doing something new and different. It's uncomfortable. It takes massive amount of risk. Somebody's going to have to take a chance... In some ways, I feel like it could be in a year. In other ways, it could be 10 years. I'm not really sure. What I'm sure of is, I'll be ready."
