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NBA history: Becky Hammon became the first coach to lead a game

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon became the first NBA coach

Becky Hammon, assistant technique of the San antonio spurs, became l1st woman to coach an NBA team as head coach in a regular season game and, after the game, she admitted it was something significant but also tried to treat it normally.

“Obviously it is something very big. It is an important moment “, said in the press conference after the loss of the Spurs against the Los Angeles Lakers (107-121).

Hammon took the reins of the Spurs in the final stretch of the second quarter after Texans coach Gregg Popovich was sent off for protesting the umpires.

Hammon has been part of the Spurs coaching staff since 2014 (Photo: Special)

Hammon has been part of the Spurs coaching staff since 2014 (Photo: Special)

“Popovich pointed to me and that was it,” he summed up on how he found out he had to step up. “Honestly, at the time I was just trying to win the game. I say this a lot but I try not to think too much about the big picture or in the enormous aspect of this because it can be overwhelming, “he said.

“It is my job to go out there and be focused on these players. and make sure I’m helping them, ”he said. Although her milestone quickly became one of the most talked about topics on social media, the coach assured that at that moment he was still not very aware of what he had accomplished.

“I really haven’t had time to reflect. I haven’t looked at my phone so I have no idea what happened beyond the AT&T Center (Spurs’ stadium), ”he explained.

The accolades also came from the rival team with the Lakers star, LeBron James, to the head: “Today she had to take charge, show her work, show her talent and show her love for this sport”. “She is very passionate about this sport. Congratulations to her and congratulations to our league ”, he added.

He was the protagonist in the defeat of the Spurs before the Lakers by 107 to 121 (USA TODAY Sports)

He was the protagonist in the defeat of the Spurs before the Lakers by 107 to 121 (USA TODAY Sports)

The native of South Dakota He had already led a friendly game for the Spurs, but this was the first time he dealt with his team in an official regular season game: “This was a learning situation for all of us, but I would like to have finished the game with a victory for our players ”.

Hammon argued that his team made “a decent effort” against the Lakers, whom he described as “a tough team” and confident that, facing the new duel against the Lakers that will take place on Friday, the Spurs will be able to “improve” to be more competitive.

He also stressed that her debut as head coach was normal for the squad, since they are “used” to hearing her scream and designing plays for them. The 43-year-old American had a brilliant playing career in the WNBA, on teams like the San Antonio Stars; and in international basketball, in groups such as the Spanish Rivas Ecópolis and Ros Casares Valencia.

In 2014 she retired as a player, went to the bench and signed as an assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs, which made her the first woman to join an NBA coaching staff.

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(With information from EFE)

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