CHAUNTE’L POWELL: Breaking down the boys’ club

The offseason has already started for most NBA teams, and the coaching carousel is spinning. The Atlanta Hawks recently named former Philadelphia 76ers assistant Lloyd Pierce as their head coach, while former head coach Mike Budenholzer filled the vacancy left by Jason Kidd with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Before both deals became final, there was the incessant chatter from talking heads speculating who should end up where and who will be in the hot seat next.

In the midst of all the debating was former New York Liberty point guard Becky Hammon. Hammon earned an interview for the Bucks’ head coaching position that was eventually filled by Budenholzer.

What I found interesting, so predictable, was how the conversation quickly shifted to heavily scrutinizing Hammon’s resume and discussing if she truly deserved the opportunity or was this just a publicity stunt to appear progressive.

For context, Hammon not only played professionally, but she has served as assistant to San Antonio head coach and one of the most respected head coaches in the history of the league, Gregg Popovich, for the past four years. She was also named the head coach of the Spurs’ summer league team in 2015 and the team went on to win a Las Vegas Summer League title under her direction.

Despite her accomplishments, there was still the narrative questioning if she’s really ready and is she taking spots from African-American coaches who have paid their dues, yet find it hard to get their foot in the door.

Let me just begin by addressing the latter and say that question is stupid. We watched as Derek Fisher took a head coaching job with the New York Knicks what felt like before he even retired. We saw Jason Kidd receive a nod despite no previous coaching experience. We’re currently watching Tyronn Lue’s inexperience get in the way of the Cavaliers’ success, not to mention at one point Mike Brown was being paid by two different franchises facing each other in the Finals.

Those are just the first few that come to mind. My point is, the NBA is more than fair when it comes to racial hiring practices.

Getting back to determining if Hammon is truly deserving: Why is that even a question? If you were handed a paper that said a candidate was a six-time All-Star at the highest level, an Olympic gold medalist and is a productive and respected assistant coach of one of the most consistent and respected franchises in NBA history, what would stop you from wanting to hire them?

Sports are just sports. Basketball’s primary objective is the same no matter who’s playing it, and you don’t need a Y chromosome to understand that.

Contact Chaunte’l Powell at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @chauntelpowell