Phoenix Suns should strongly consider Becky Hammon as next HC

A name that hasn’t really popped up in the Phoenix Suns head coach search is Spurs’ assistant Becky Hammon. She should be considered and interviewed.

I am not suggesting this just because it would be “good public relations” for the Phoenix Suns (although that is in no way a detriment).

Hammon would become the first female head coach in the history of the four major American pro sports. That is no secret. The reasons as to why that has never happened is a completely different article. To put it simply, Hammon deserves the chance.

She has been an assistant under Gregg Popovich since the 2014 season. The Poppovich coaching tree speaks for itself with names like Mike Budenholzer, Brett Brown, Jim Boylen, James Borrego, and Mike Brown all having worked as assistants under him.

Poppovich is arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, and Hammon has been learning from him for 5 years now. He has a lot of respect for her and that says something all by itself.

The players also love her. Pau Gasol wrote an article in the Players’ Tribune about why she deserves the chance to be a head coach (check it out; it’s a fantastic article). It seems like everyone that plays for the Spurs instantly gains a ton of respect for her. Check out this quote from Popovich that appeared in a USA Today article in 2018.

"“She has the ability as far as innate knowledge of the game, a feel for the game, a work ethic,” Popovich said. “She’s gained the respect of all of our players, including guys that are no longer here, like Manu (Ginobili) and Tim (Duncan) and Tony (Parker), so all that’s in place.”"

In 2015 and 2016, Hammon was the head coach of the Spurs’ Summer League team, and she led them to the Summer League championship in 2015. Summer League championships don’t mean much, but this proved that she could be the decision-maker and play-caller for a team made up of NBA players.

She was a terrific point guard in the WNBA too. She played from 1999 to 2014. She made four All-WNBA teams and was an All-Star six times. She also has the fifth most assists in WNBA history as well as the fourth most three-pointers made.

She was known for her high basketball IQ and leadership. Those are the type of players that go on to make great coaches.

With Monty Williams getting a second interview with the Suns, it is looking like he is the top choice. Although I don’t think hiring him would be a terrible decision, he has already had a chance to be a head coach.

Williams coached the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans from 2010 to 2015 and never won a playoff series. He’s had his chance, and he’ll likely get another one. Coaches like him are always available. In my opinion, he is the boring choice. Hammon not only is the exciting choice, she is the better option.

If the Suns don’t consider Becky, it would be a travesty. She knows the game of basketball. It is as simple as that. She will likely be an NBA head coach at some point, so why not for the Suns? The Suns would make history, and she would have as good of a chance as anyone at turning the Suns’ woes around.