Why Becky Hammon makes perfect sense for the Indiana Pacers

Spurs assistant Becky Hammon during NBA game against Sixers

Aug 3, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, USA; Assistant coach Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers surprisingly fired head coach Nate McMillan earlier this summer after yet another strong season resulted in a first-round playoff sweep. The move came shortly after the team signed him to an extension.

It’s rather clear that general manager Chad Buchanan and Co. are looking to change things up big time.

According to a recent report, that includes one big-name potential head coach.

Becky Hammon to interview for Pacers’ head coach job

“San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon and former Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger are among more than a dozen candidates who are expected to participate in a first round of virtual interviews for the Indiana Pacers coaching job,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.

To be clear, those Woj listed as potential head-coaching candidates boast a wide array of experience and prevous success. In addition to Joerger and Hammon, it’s a pretty strong list.

Notice a theme here? Indiana is looking to pluck a top assistant from a group of respected NBA head coaches that includes Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Rick Carlisle and Mike Budenholzer.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Going after a top assistant has been the name of the game for teams searching for a new head coach in recent years. Obviously, Hammon fits that category.

Here’s why she makes sense for the Pacers.

Working under Gregg Popovich

This is not simply about what would be an historical hire

Perfect fit wth the Pacers

Bottom line

No one candidate should be hired based on anything else outside of his/her qualifications and past experience.

Given what we’ve seen from Hammon over the past seven years in San Antonio, she’s among the most-experienced assistants being considered for Indiana’s head coach job. She’s also a perfect fit.

In and of itself, this makes her the best hire to replace Nate McMillan on the Pacers’ bench. It’s that simple.

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