On the way to the Celtics' practice facility, there is a billboard on the Mass Pike advising Brad Stevens on whom to hire as the team's next coach: Becky Hammon or Kara Lawson.
A nutrition company is responsible for the message, which tells Stevens it's "time to shake it up." Gary Washburn of the Globe tweeted the photo.
Both Hammon and Lawson are considered strong candidates for the position. Lawson played 13 seasons in the WNBA before working as a TV analyst for the Washington Wizards. Two years ago, the Celtics hired Lawson to join their staff. She's currently the head coach of the women's basketball team at Duke.
Hammon has more NBA coaching experience, spending the last six years as an assistant coach with the Spurs. She played 16 seasons in the WNBA, making six All-Star teams.
The chief marketing officer of the nutrition company, Jarrod Jordan, told the Globe he wants the Celtics to make history — just like they did when Red Auerbach hired Bill Russell as the first Black head coach in a men's sports league in 1966. ""We wanted to highlight two outstanding candidates and a moment in history in which both are supremely qualified based on the context of their basketball resume," said Jarrod Jordan.
It could take weeks for the Celtics to hire a new coach, the Globe reports, given the NBA playoffs are still ongoing. Brad Stevens moved upstairs June 2, taking over for Danny Ainge. The team has requested to speak with five candidates: Chauncey Billups (Clippers), Darvin Ham (Bucks), Charles Lee (Bucks), Jamahl Mosley (Mavericks) and Ime Udoka (Nets).
Billups and Hammon are slated to interview in Portland this week for the Trail Blazers' opening.
