San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol voiced his support for Becky Hammon to become an NBA head coach in an eloquent letter published in the Player's Tribune.
He starts off by discussing his upbringing as the son of a successful doctor and nurse in Spain. He said people would always mistake his father as the doctor, while his mother has been a doctor for nearly 40 years.
Gasol notes the fact that in the 72-year history of the NBA, there has never been a female head coach.
On the heels of reports that Spurs assistant coach Hammon is expected to interview for the Milwaukee Bucks head coach job, Gasol praised her qualifications and coaching ability.
"She was an accomplished player — with an elite point guard’s mind for the game. And two, she has been a successful assistant for arguably the greatest coach in the game. What more do you need? But like I said — I’m not here to make that argument. Arguing on Coach Hammon’s behalf would feel patronizing. To me, it would be strange if NBA teams were not interested in her as a head coach," he said in the letter.
Gasol also said Hammon working as the NBA's first full-time female assistant coach is helping the Silver and Black "get W's the Spurs Way."
"I’m telling you: Becky Hammon can coach. I’m not saying she can coach pretty well. I’m not saying she can coach enough to get by. I’m not saying she can coach almost at the level of the NBA’s male coaches. I’m saying: Becky Hammon can coach NBA basketball. Period... Would you really expect Coach Pop to develop his staff any differently than he develops his players? Of course not," he said.
