No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show - Episode Summary Episode: The Athletic's All-Access: Las Vegas Aces Head Coach Becky Hammon
Release Date: February 2, 2024

Introduction

In this special edition of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman sit down with Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. Recognized as a basketball hall of famer and a two-time WNBA champion, Hammon shares her insights on the 2023 season, team dynamics, strategic decisions, and her vision for the upcoming year.

Season Challenges and Resilience

Coach Hammon reflects on the hurdles faced during the 2023 season, emphasizing the team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

• Tough Stretch Against the Liberty:
  [11:37] Hammon admits, “there was a stretch there that I felt like the Liberty were better than us.” She discusses the grueling 23-day schedule that included back-to-back trips to the East Coast, leading to fatigue and strategic challenges.

• Injuries and Player Issues:
  [10:04] Hammon highlights the impact of injuries and off-court issues, stating, “this group has shown just incredible resiliency.”

Team Dynamics and Player Contributions

The conversation delves into the importance of team chemistry, player roles, and individual contributions to the Aces' success.

• Humor and Professionalism:
  [07:04] Hammon responds to Asia Wilson's tweet about the team's humor: “...they are funny. We laugh a lot, we work hard. But at the end of the day, I know what they're about and that's winning championships.”

• Sidney Coulson's Role:
  [35:23] Hammon praises Coulson’s leadership and camaraderie: “She's such a gel. She's a uniter... Any specific story, I mean, I loved when I gave her the game ball in Minnesota...”

• Candace Parker's Influence:
  [41:51] Highlighting Parker's presence, Hammon states, “Her presence is the biggest one. Her voice, her encouragement... She's always a pleasure to talk hoops.”

Key Strategic Decisions

Hammon discusses pivotal moments where strategic adjustments were crucial to the team's performance.

• Defensive Overhaul During Playoffs:
  [20:21] Faced with key players Chelsea Gray and Kia Stokes unavailable due to injury, Hammon describes her strategic pivot: “We practiced it for probably five minutes defensively... It was time to throw the kitchen sink and see if it works.”

• Game Four Defensive Stand:
  [29:19] Reflecting on the decisive defensive play against New York, Hammon explains the meticulous planning: “Sidney Coulson jumps and disrupts the rhythm of this pass… It saved us probably 0.5 of a second, which could be the difference between stealing and not stealing.”

Handling Pressure and Expectations

The episode delves into how the team manages external pressures and internal expectations to maintain peak performance.

• Managing High Expectations:
  [16:40] Hammon discusses balancing team ambition with realistic outcomes: “Vegas should pound people by 20 points, certain teams, and it just doesn't work that way.”

• Impact of Pressure on Mental Health:
  [16:40] Emphasizing mental well-being, she notes, “how we handle pressure, how we handle expectation, is really important for their mental health.”

Reflections on Championships

Hammon shares her thoughts on winning championships and the continuous drive required to maintain success.

• Continuous Improvement:
  [33:43] Addressing the transition to the 2024 season, Hammon asserts, “this year is going to be harder than last year... Anything less than a championship is not going to be good enough.”

• Building Trust and Culture:
  [35:23] She emphasizes the importance of mutual trust: “It has to be a two-way street. I have to give them a lot of trust too... They know I'm willing to adjust to them.”

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Hammon outlines her strategy for the upcoming season, focusing on adaptability and maintaining a championship mindset.

• Adapting Strategies:
  [35:23] Hammon plans to evolve the team's tactics: “We've instilled a pretty good system offensively and defensively. So I'll challenge them. I'm going to throw some other stuff at them…”

• Emphasizing Team Identity:
  [35:23] She underscores the team's cohesive identity: “We have greater purpose and a greater understanding of our identity and who we are as a team and as an organization.”

Notable Quotes

• Humor and Team Spirit:
  Ben Pickman [07:04]: “We laugh a lot, we work hard. But at the end of the day, I know what they're about and that's winning championships.”

• Strategic Determination:
  Ben Pickman [20:21]: “Let's muck the game up. Let's just mess up the game. Let's just junk it up.”

• Resilience and Leadership:
  Ben Pickman [11:37]: “We were flirting with losses even though we were winning games at certain stretches.”

• Defensive Excellence:
  Ben Pickman [29:19]: “Jackie Wentz goes, makes Stewie give it up… it was just really heads up by Jackie, really by all of them.”

• Trust and Adaptability:
  Ben Pickman [35:23]: “They know I'm willing to adjust to them or to whatever's going on in the game.”

Conclusion

Coach Becky Hammon provides an in-depth look into the Las Vegas Aces' journey through the 2023 WNBA season, highlighting the team's resilience, strategic adaptability, and strong team culture. As the Aces prepare for the 2024 season, Hammon's emphasis on trust, continuous improvement, and maintaining a championship mindset sets the stage for another pursuit of excellence in women's basketball.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.