{"id":218229,"date":"2025-10-12T03:33:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T03:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/218229\/"},"modified":"2025-10-12T03:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T03:33:09","slug":"stephen-a-smith-pushes-for-becky-hammon-to-take-next-step-toward-nba-sidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/218229\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith pushes for Becky Hammon to take next step toward NBA sidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Becky Hammon just won her third WNBA championship in four years, and the conversation about her future keeps getting louder. The Las Vegas Aces completed a dominant four-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night, with Hammon once again proving why she\u2019s one of the best coaches in basketball.<\/p>\n

Her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 has been stacked for years now. Six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time All-American from Colorado State, and a groundbreaking stint as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n

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ESPN\u2019s Stephen A. Smith isn\u2019t holding back on the subject. After Friday\u2019s championship win, he made his position crystal clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were a NBA owner, I\u2019d hire Becky Hammon as head coach,\u201d Smith captioned. He continued, \u201cI\u2019ve said this on many occasions and I\u2019ll say it again, she deserves to coach in the NBA. If men can coach in the WNBA\u2026 If I owned an NBA team, I would not mind giving her a chance as the head coach of my franchise, that woman knows what she\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

She made history back in December 2020 when she became the first woman to serve as an acting NBA <\/a>head coach after Popovich got ejected. Before that, she led the Spurs\u2019 Summer League team to a championship in 2015.<\/p>\n

Despite all that experience and success, Hammon has interviewed with multiple NBA teams for head-coaching positions but hasn\u2019t received an offer yet. That\u2019s starting to feel like a missed opportunity for someone out there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apr 1, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with assistant coach Becky Hammon in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s comments land as both a compliment and a challenge to NBA decision-makers. Hammon\u2019s track record stacks up against many of her male counterparts, built on strategic acumen, leadership, and composure under pressure.<\/p>\n

The league talks about merit and inclusion more than ever before, and someone with her credentials checks every box.<\/p>\n

For now, Hammon seems perfectly content building a dynasty in Las Vegas. But if she ever shows interest in returning to the NBA, her continued success might finally force some front offices to act.<\/p>\n

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