“That’s the first step, having the precedent set is very important,” Ready said. “A lot of it also is now women will know these jobs are available. In the past, a lot of women probably didn’t try because they didn’t think it was possible. I think you may very well see an increase in seeing some females hired.”
Hammon has a reputation of being a smart, hard-nosed, tough-minded player. She made six All-Star teams and averaged 13.1 points in her 16 seasons with the Stars and New York Liberty.
Hammon was receiving congratulatory messages from all over, including from Lieberman, Boyer and Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
“I love seeing people I’ve been involved with have an opportunity in life to have these types of experiences,” said Stars coach Dan Hughes, who has coached Hammon for eight years. “This one is unique. She’s ready for it, she’ll do a great job.”
Even tennis great Billie Jean King weighed in on the hire, congratulating the Spurs for acquiring “a key person based on their qualifications and not allowing gender to play a role in their decision.”
But like it was only a matter of time before a woman got a chance to coach in the NBA, it’s also only a matter of time before said coach finds herself in Popovich’s crosshairs.
“I’m sure Pop will be yelling at me soon enough,” Hammon said, “with the rest of them.”
