NBA: 3 teams that should target Becky Hammon as their next head coach

Three teams that should be interested in NBA coach Becky Hammon

As the San Antonio Spurs played the Miami Heat this year before the season went on hiatus, there was an interesting moment. An and-one continuation from Jimmy Butler was in question. Head coach Gregg Popovich decided he wasn’t going to call a coach’s challenge on the play. Then came assistant coach Becky Hammon.

Right on camera in what the announcers were calling one of the most crucial calls in the game, Hammon ran up and with energy and authority made her case for coach Popovich to make the challenge. He did after she advised him to, and she was right. The Spurs won the call and then the game.

This is an example to say what everyone should know: Becky Hammon should be a head coach in the NBA. Hammon, who had a long playing career in the WNBA and then overseas, is one basketball’s best minds right now. She became the first female assistant coach in NBA history and has worked her way up to the top of the Spurs bench.

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As she’s begun to receive multiple interviews in this coaching cycle, it should be clear to anyone that Hammon should be a front-runner for a coaching job this season. She is far in away the best option even over former coaches like Tom Thibodeau or Kenny Atkinson.

The case for Hammon

One of the first things that stands out about Becky Hammon over any other coaching candidate is her experience with the game. Her extensive career from being an All-American at Colorado State, then to be an All-Star on two different WNBA teams before eventually playing overseas speaks to how much she’s been around the game.

In the time of her career from that spanned from 1995-2012, Hammon got a chance to see basketball all around the globe and pick up on concepts and plays that other coaches haven’t. Her experience around basketball rivals pretty much every other coach.

During her playing career, Hammon played point guard. She was the leader on the floor and already an extension of the coaching staff on the court. There’s been plenty of examples of former NBA point guards thriving as head coaches. Look at Rick Carlisle in Dallas, and Steve Kerr in Golden State. The amount of basketball IQ gained from running the point should also translate for Hammon.

On top of it all, the experience of being a player is just incredibly valuable when it comes to being a coach. Players find it easier to relate to coaches in the NBA when they are former players themselves. That bond and understanding is something that shouldn’t be undervalued especially with a team that has a young roster and is still trying to navigate the NBA.

From her playing career to her coaching career, Hammon is an even more attractive hire because she’s coming from what’s essential “Head Coach University” being the San Antonio Spurs organization where she learned directly under one of the best coaches in league history, Gregg Popovich.

The NBA is now littered with successful coaches who have spent time under Coach Popovich in some way. Steve Kerr has won three championships with the Warriors after playing under Popovich. Former Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer has had two 60 win teams in both Atlanta and Milwaukee since his departure. That’s before even mentioning Brett Brown, Monty Williams, and James Borrego’s successes.

It has been proven now that learning from the Spurs organization can translate to success in other organizations. Hammon’s hiring will also be great because she’ll take the player development processes the Spurs use and bring them to her next stop.

In Hammon’s time with the Spurs, she’s been an integral part in growing their young talent like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Lonnie Walker IV. That comes from Hammon’s time coaching the Spurs summer league team and the hands-on approach she takes in practice.

Where would Hammon fit?

Right now there’s three truly ideal NBA fits that would be smart to hire Becky Hammon as their next head coach.

New York Knicks – The Knicks need help desperately. They need someone who can come in set the culture, and develop their young talent on the roster if they ever want to become a marquee franchise again.

With Hammon in New York, the young core of R.J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Frank Ntilikina, and Kevin Knox would benefit greatly. Having a coach that can come in with a track record for player development and implement a consistent culture to continue to improve the youth on the roster would be exactly what the Knicks need, and the smart hire to start Leon Rose’s era in New York.

Chicago Bulls – The Bulls are a team that is flushed with young talent as well, and they need someone to come in and foster their growth. With new executive Arturas Karnisovas helming the team, a brain trust of Karnisovas and Hammon is exactly the type that can lead an organization for two decades.

With a lottery pick on the way this year and a core of Coby White, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Wendall Carter Jr, Hammon could be just what the Bulls need to turn that youth in playoff success. Her work with young guards in San Antonio would be particularly compelling when it comes to growing Coby White. Bringing the offensive philosophies from the Spurs to Chicago would also benefit the team.

Brooklyn Nets – If there’s any coach that would be perfect for taking the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant duo to championship heights, Hammon is it.

A coach with playing experience, and a feel for in-game situations that are more suited to dealing with the egos of the star duo. With Hammon on board and the implementation of a third star and shooting the Nets can contend for the title. Hammon’s development skills will also be beneficial to continue the growth of the Nets young supporting cast like Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.