Hoops Happening: Today in women’s basketball — Tuesday May 8, 2018

Given the dastardly treatment of women in this society — day in, day out — it is expected that naysayers would emerge from their sofa thrones to name reasons Becky Hammon should be considered unqualified to coach in the NBA.

Mind you, these are people whose beer cans rim off the edge of their trash cans.

No matter how anyone tries to dress it up, the argument against Hammon’s candidacy to coach the Milwaukee Bucks comes down to genitalia — not skill, not experience, not basketball IQ.

Simply put, of course Hammon never played in the NBA! She’s a woman, so she played in the WNBA, as well as abroad. Anyone with an iota of reasoning ability knows that a human with experience as a player has an edge over a human without this experience (no matter the sex, no matter the league).

Case in point:

Erik Spoelstra rose through the head-coaching ranks having started in the NBA as a video coordinator. Hammon’s experience as a former player, and as an assistant to one of the NBA’s most successful head coaches, more than qualify her to coach the men’s game (no disrespect to Spoelstra intended). Instead, Hammon is forced to endure a barrage of statements discrediting her abilities before the interview has even taken place.

By contrast, when Spoelstra was being considered for the head coaching position with the Miami Heat, there was no uproar — nary a peep. In fact, pundits were bemused by the lil ol’ video coordinator who made good (especially after his good deeds got LeBron James to Miami and additional championship banners in the Heat arena).

If this not only was possible for Spoelstra — but fostered and enabled — why should it be any different for Hammon (especially considering her resume)?

If Spoelstra could accomplish so much having come from the film room, imagine what Becky Hammon could achieve given her playing and elite NBA coaching experiences ... if given her rightly-earned opportunity to do so.

Results of yesterday’s matchups

Chicago Sky (65) vs. Indiana Fever (79)

Stephanie Mavunga edged towards double-double territory for the Fever, finishing with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Kahleah Cooper and Cheyenne Parker were the high scorers for the Sky with 10 points apiece.

Dallas Wings (76) vs. New York Liberty (69)

Azura Stevens scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a dominant WNBA debut for the Wings. She was the only Wings’ player in double figures. Marissa Coleman and Kia Nurse were the double-digit scorers for the Liberty, with 14 points and 10 points, respectively. Sugar Rogers turned in a well-rounded performance with 8 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.

Los Angeles Sparks (65) vs. Connecticut Sun (68)

Several Sparks players finished with numbers all over the stat sheet, indicating unselfishness and willingness to get it done on both ends of the court, including: Shakayla Thomas (17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist), Cappie Pondexter (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) and Karlie Samuelson (14 points, 4 rebounds). The Sun’s, despite appearing on paper that they should not have won, managed to edge out LA off of Chiney Ogwumike’s 10 points and 8 rebounds and Jasmine Thomas’s 12 points and 2 steals.

Today’s games

On Tuesday, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm make their preseason debuts and Sparks face off against the Liberty, while the Wings tip off against the Sun.

Other happenings in women’s hoops

Mistie Bass fan club leader is stylin’ in on-point game gear

Links Appeal

• Some of the WNBA’s best players have never received MVP recognition
• WNBA consults Sylvain Labs on how to grow the league
• Becky Hammon will become the first woman to interview for head coaching job in the NBA
• Mother of former Duke player likens NCAA rules to slavery