What the Blazers want in a coach
Jason Quick, Trail Blazers beat writer: There are three things the Blazers are looking for in a new coach: improve the defense, develop schemes that can help alleviate the pressure Damian Lillard sees from opposing defenses, and nurture and develop the young talent like Nassir Little, Anfernee Simons and CJ Elleby.
If Hammon gets the job, it’s apparent the front office and chair Jody Allen believe she is the best candidate to do those things.
Is it simply a matter of time for Hammon?
Sam Amick, NBA senior writer: So here’s a counter-intuitive take on the Hammon front: I actually still wonder if she’ll be the first woman to be named an NBA head coach.
Let’s say, for the sake of the discussion, that she doesn’t get this job. There are several other women — former Celtics assistant and current Duke women’s coach Kara Lawson chief among them, from this perspective — who inspire all kinds of reverence and regard from NBA people when they are discussed.
This is a very good chance for Hammon, but I could see someone else making that head-coaching history if this isn’t the job for her.
(Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images)
