Becky Hammon’s Success with the Las Vegas Aces

Becky Hammon had a remarkable first season as the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, achieving what many considered impossible.

Leading the Aces, she secured the franchise’s first WNBA Championship in 2022. In just three seasons, she returned to the finals twice and added two championship rings to her accolades.

But, let’s be honest, that first season had its challenges.

Before joining the Aces, Hammon was an assistant under the legendary Gregg Popovich with the Spurs. She had a solid plan for her team: spreading the floor, emphasizing three-point shooting, and creatively utilizing A’ja Wilson. Sounds straightforward, right? Yet, coaching is rarely just about strategies on paper.

“The X’s and O’s are actually the easiest part of it,” she remarked ahead of the Aces’ championship game against Liberty. “Coaching athletes means dealing with individuals. Each person learns and communicates differently. It’s crucial to build those relationships and find a way to communicate effectively.”

The Liberty, meanwhile, are still figuring things out under new head coach Chris DeMarco. He’s busy establishing systems, fostering team chemistry, and figuring out player integration—all things that take time.

This season began well for the Liberty, remaining undefeated in cup play and making it to the championship game of the in-season tournament for the third time. However, as of Tuesday, they sat fifth with a 12-8 record, having lost four out of their last five games against teams like the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks.

Stepping into his role was no easy task for DeMarco. The Liberty are considered a “super team” with stars like Brianna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. Adding to the challenge, general manager Jonathan Kolb stepped down, leading to new signings like Sato Sabally and Pauline Astier to bolster team depth.

DeMarco certainly knows pressure. Having been part of the Warriors’ dynasty that netted four NBA titles, he understood what he was signing up for. Stewart mentioned that DeMarco has shown he’s open to player feedback throughout this process.

“Look, he’s trying to learn rapidly,” Stewart pointed out. “He took this job in December, and we want to compete for championships, but it’s a process. Results don’t appear overnight. He’s making strides on the court, from implementing systems to positioning players where they can excel.” It’s definitely a work in progress.

As for Ionescu, she noted there’s still plenty of time left in the season, with playoffs not coming up too soon.

“We know that part of bringing in a new head coach means embracing some growing pains,” she said. “There will be uncomfortable moments as we build chemistry together. That’s forged through facing challenges side by side.”

Ionescu added that she thinks DeMarco is doing a commendable job and appreciates his communication and connection with the players. His intentions were clear from the start.

“We all need to give him grace, just as he gives us time to adapt to his coaching style,” she emphasized. “We believe in him, and we trust him. It’s exciting to consider how much potential we still have, especially since everything is new for him.”