San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon made history Wednesday night when she became the first woman in NBA history to serve as head coach.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter, appointing Hammon to take over in his stead. It was a fairly monumental moment and well-deserved for Hammon after seven years on Pop's staff.
However, Spurs swingman Rudy Gay has a slightly different reaction to the occasion. Gay instead chose to point out the fact a woman serving in a head coaching position is seen as an abnormality is the whole issue, saying he hopes these things become more commonplace.
Or, in his own words, “I look forward to the day when nobody gives a sh**.”
Rudy Gay, on the discussion about the first female coach to do, well, whatever:
“I look forward to the day when nobody gives a sh**.”
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) December 31, 2020
Gay also said the fact Hammon taking over for Popovich on the Spurs bench merely seemed like a natural procession of events was that much more significant.
To make it clear, Rudy’s point is that he wants it to happen so often that people stop seeing it as unusual.
He said the best tribute to what Hammon did last night is that none of the players noticed history was being made.https://t.co/Yx5MowKSzR
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) December 31, 2020
The former Memphis Grizzlies star elaborated further:
“I look forward to the day where none of this is news, just people accomplishing things and everybody having a chance and everybody having a shot at the same thing,” Gay said, via Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Gay certainly makes a fair point, and his hinting at women's empowerment is a sentiment that has been echoed by numerous players around the NBA.
For her part, Hammon might yet have the opportunity to earn a head coaching position basis on a full-time basis. The former WNBA star has been highlighted as a candidate, and might even take over for Pop with the Spurs whenever he chooses to retire.
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