I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a female nba head coach in the next few years. Two reasons: 1. Talent. 2. Men in the nba may be 6’10” and carved out of magic, but quite a few of them grew up listening to a woman who was raising them. The owners and sports writers and fans might find it strange, but the players might not have the same reaction.
One taste of the future: Becky Hammon filled in for Gregg Popovich after he got ejected from a game in December 2020. How’d she do? Here’s a yahoo article that was basically quoting from espn, Twitter, etc.
https://sports.yahoo.com/spurs-becky...041223855.html
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It was clear after the game that the Spurs’ players were fully supportive of Hammon taking the reins on Wednesday.
Here’s Spurs star DeMar DeRozan, via ESPN:
"Becky played, and any player who knows the history of women's basketball knows what she meant to the sport," Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said. "You don't think twice about it. She's one of us. When she speaks, we are all ears."
Point guard Dejounte Murray, also from ESPN:
"I love Becky to death. We are really, really close. She texts me on holidays to ask about my daughter, and I ask about her kids. I appreciate her. The future is bright for her. I hope she sticks to it and doesn't give up. One day it may happen, or it may not happen. Who knows? But she is definitely on the right road, and I think everyone here appreciates her. She is setting an example for every woman out there."
Veteran guard Patty Mills: “A proud moment not only for Becky, but the whole organization tonight. She has the ability to step up and coach in the NBA.”
There was also at least one player on the other side who liked what he saw on the Spurs sideline: LeBron James, on Becky Hammon's big moment: "It’s a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls, barking out sets. She’s very passionate about the game. So congrats to her and congrats to the league."
Other players around the NBA were also praising Hammon on social media, including Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Pau Gasol and CJ McCollum.”
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My hunch is that the first female head coach will get the job because a superstar or 3 makes it a condition for a free agent signing. Mix that with an open GM, like Brad Stevens, and the change could be quick. And I’m not sure it’s risky to hire someone with minimal HC experience; the NBA routinely hires guys with lifetime records of 235-321; that seems risky as well.