'In the moment, I was just trying to win the game': Becky Hammon and the road to history

Gregg Popovich's ejection opens a door that's been closed far too long.

If Becky Hammon had her druthers, the questions she was answering in the virtual glow of a Zoom call window would have simply been about basketball and why things went south for her team following the Spurs’ 121-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in San Antonio. But when history was unexpectedly made during the game Wednesday, the rest of the evening promised to be anything but run-of-the-mill.

Gregg Popovich swiftly but firmly pulled the ejection handle with 3:56 remaining in the second quarter after a non-call left him slightly less than enthused, clearing the pilot seat for Hammon to become the first woman to act as head coach of an NBA game in league history.

“Obviously it’s a big deal. It’s a substantial moment. I’ve been in San Antonio – part of the (Spurs Sports & Entertainment) organization with the Stars – for 13 years, so I have a lot of time invested and they have a lot of time invested in me, in building me and getting me better,” Hammon said. “Honestly, in the moment I was just trying to win the game.

“I say this a lot, but I try not to think about the huge picture and the huge aspect of it because it can get overwhelming. It’s my job to go in there and be focused for those guys and make sure that I’m helping them do the things that will help us win,” she continued. “I really have not had time to reflect; I haven’t looked at my phone so I have no idea what’s going on outside the AT&T Center tonight.”

Even an ounce of truth serum likely would’ve blown her cover, though. She probably had an idea of what was happening outside those walls, she just didn’t want to think about it. After all, while Hammon understands, appreciates and has been vocal about the importance of the ground she’s helped break and the glass ceilings she and other women are aiming to shatter in the testosterone-driven sports world, the limelight has never been the lure. In the end, she just wants it to be about basketball, not about gender. That’s the end goal anyway, right? Equality?

“I think in all this, I think everyone in their mind (is thinking), ‘How does this look? How is this going to work? How are these guys going to listen?’ The guys are great. The guys are really a non-issue. Their attitudes and their approach is always great with me, and really across the league,” Hammon said. “They’re almost hyperaware of it. So they give me great eye-contact, they give me great focus, they give me great energy, and I want to make sure I give that all back to them. I did not walk into the arena thinking I would be coaching tonight, but that’s the way things go and you roll with it. Overall I would have loved to get a win tonight more than anything.”

And the sentiment she has for the players is reciprocated by the guys in that locker room. Hammon has the respect of every vet and the ear of every young’un. For players and coach alike, it’s about basketball in the end.

Still, these moments are worth celebrating. While the idea of wanting to focus on the sport itself is understandable for basketball lifers, this is about so much more than bouncing balls. This was about an achievement in humanity that should cause a swell in pride and passion. This is where impressions are made, archaic philosophies are disproven and delusions are smashed.

“Obviously it’s a proud moment for not only Becky but for the whole organization tonight. I would just say her confidence (has grown) to know she has the ability to be able to step up and coach in the NBA. I think she’s always believed that. We’ve always known that – what an impact she’s had on this organization since she’s come here,” Patty Mills said. “She’s just gotten bigger and bigger the more she’s tapped into that role, specifically with coaching and game plans and little detailed stuff. It’s just a really proud moment … really pumped for her. Just continuing to blaze that trail for a lot of female coaches – not only coaches but players in all sports, I should say.”

It is refreshing to hear the players and other coaches speak about her and the events of the night. There’s a balanced blend of pride and professional expectation, as none of this comes as a surprise to them. They’re still pissed off they lost the game, just as Hammon was.

“Becky’s definitely been instrumental for us every time we step on the court, even in timeouts when Pop is the head coach. She’s quick on her feet, understanding defensive coverages, where we should be offensively, what we should run, different mismatches,” DeMar DeRozan said. “Her words on the side are always instrumental and seeing her at the forefront – it would’ve been cool if we would have won that for her.”

And it’s not a surprise she’s found a home in San Antonio and a comfortable learning spot on the bench next to Pop. As it turns out, they’re not all that dissimilar.

“There’s not much different in the ferocity between the both of them. She came out guns blazing a couple of times in those timeouts. But again, everyone’s receptive to that – obviously being used to that with Pop, but with her as well,” Mills said with a laugh. “She’s clear in what she’s saying … you can definitely feel that same sort of intensity as a coach. It’s only going to get better.”

Perhaps she’ll get more comfortable, too. Attention is just part of the job description of an NBA coach, let alone a female coach. Luckily, the guy Hammon sits next to on the bench could teach a masterclass on how to deal with the spotlight that shines on that job.

At the very least, a quick check of her cell phone late Wednesday night was probably the only introductory class she’ll need.