The Las Vegas Aces have finished off their historic run by capturing the franchise's first ever WNBA title by defeating the Connecticut Sun 78-71. Finals MVP Chelsea Gray led the way dropping 20 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds to cap off what was arguably one of the most impressive individual playoff runs in WNBA history. WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson was dominate on both ends of the floor finishing with 11 points,14 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. This monumental win not only was the first major professional sports championship for the city of Las Vegas as it was also history making for the Aces first year head coach Becky Hammon.
Becky Hammon played 15 years in the WNBA and was a 6x all-star; though she was great on the court, her recent accomplishment as a head coach could be considered even more special. Hammon is the first coach in WNBA history to win a championship in their first year as head coach. She was thrusted into her new role after finishing out the season with the San Antonio Spurs where she spent eight seasons as an assistant coach. Despite having a preseason game on May 1st and the season opening game on May 6th, she was more than prepared for the challenge ahead. The Aces were arguably the most talented team in the WNBA all season as they finished tied for the best record led on the floor by their Superstar, A'ja Wilson. The Aces had plenty of award winning talent including, Becky Hammon,, who won coach of the year.
Despite the immediate success that came for Becky Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces it was not clear that it would happen this way. The Aces had come off a heartbreaking loss the previous year to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 5 of the semifinals at home. In the offseason, head coach Bill Laimbeer retired and center Liz Cambage who averaged 14.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg had left as a free agent. The loss of Cambage forced Hammon to make adjustments to their offensive scheme to get the most of her players abilities. This adjustment allowed Wilson to thrive as she became a better perimeter scorer. This approach extended to the rest of the team as the Aces more than doubled their 3-point attempts which paid off for the team. All the adjustments that came from Becky Hammon's game plan clearly paid off as she showed her greatness as a coach by getting the most out of her players skillsets.
Hammon's value as a head coach could not be much higher to the point where its hard to believe that her $1 million salary was being criticized by people in media as well as WNBA players. Not only has she overcome that criticism by surpassing all expectations, she also proved that she was always deserving of a head coaching opportunity despite being previously overlooked. Hammon had interviewed for multiple NBA head coaching roles the last couple years before ultimately agreeing to join the Las Vegas Aces in December of 2021.
With her impressive basketball resume and IQ, it is clear how unfair the alleged reasonings from NBA teams of why she wasn't picked to be a head coach. It is reasonable to believe that if she were a man she would have been an NBA head coach awhile ago despite having no previous head coaching experience just as several men have done before her.
Looking ahead to next season, Becky Hammon has developed a team that is primed to be one of the best teams league once again next season. With the immediate success she has brought to the Las Vegas Aces she will surely have many teams vying for her services. Although she has yet to receive a well deserved opportunity to coach in the NBA she seems more likely to keep them waiting as she appears to have found a home in Las Vegas.
Source: ESPN YouTube Channel
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