Current:Home > ScamsBecky Hammon likens Liberty to Spurs as Aces trail 0-2: 'They feel like something was stolen' -VisionFunds
Becky Hammon likens Liberty to Spurs as Aces trail 0-2: 'They feel like something was stolen'
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-06 12:04:40
Becky Hammon has a lot of experience on the sideline.
Before becoming the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, Hammon served as an assistant coach to Gregg Popovich on the San Antonio Spurs from 2014-21. With the two-time defending champion Aces trailing the New York Liberty 0-2 in the WNBA playoffs semifinal matchup, Hammon is drawing parallels between the Spurs and Liberty.
"You think about the Spurs — I do all the time — with the Miami Heat. (The Spurs) lose an absolute heartbreaker in Miami on basic things: offensive rebounds and kick-out three," Hammon said, referring to the Spurs' 95-88 loss to the Heat in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals. "(The Spurs) should have walked away with a title that year. They lost it that year. The next year they came back with so much drive, so much discipline, so much focus that there was no way someone was beating them in 2014."
The New York Liberty are the Spurs in this scenario. The Aces narrowly defeated the Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals in New York last year to clinch the series 3-1 and win their second consecutive WNBA championship.
That was the last time the Aces defeated the Liberty. New York swept the Aces this year, winning all three of their matchups, including one in New York and two on the road in Las Vegas. And so far, the Liberty have taken a 2-0 lead on the Aces as the best-of-five semifinal series shifts to Las Vegas for Game 5 on Friday.
"(The Spurs) took a huge loss (in 2013). The Liberty took a huge loss last year and I liken it to that a little bit," Hammon said. "(The Spurs) had it, they felt like they had it and we walked away with it. I did think we were the better team. ... I'm sure they feel like something was stolen a little bit."
Hammon added: "At the end of the day in two years, we've won (in New York) one time ... Game 4. Other than that, they've kicked our (expletive)."
Hammon called the Liberty the best team in the league this year and said her team's latest struggles highlight the difficulties of winning three titles in a row.
"We haven't had the edge all year. We found it the last month. We've gained a lot of ground, but the feel was different from the jump. This is why three-peating is hard," Hammon said. "The whole league hasn't been pissed off the past eight months and my players are in commercials and freaking celebrities and you get distracted. That's why it's hard, because human nature's distracting."
The Aces will look to keep their three-peat dreams alive on Friday in Game 5.
veryGood! (196)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Reports: Former cycling world champ Dennis charged after Olympian wife struck, killed by vehicle
- The FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year is arriving. Some big changes may impact your student's financial aid.
- Laws banning semi-automatic weapons and library censorship to take effect in Illinois
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Yes, Michigan's Jim Harbaugh can be odd and frustrating. But college football needs him.
- Astrologer Susan Miller Reveals Her 2024 Predictions for Each Zodiac Sign
- Nick Carter Shares Family Video in First Post Since Sister Bobbie Jean Carter's Death
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Consulting firm McKinsey agrees to $78 million settlement with insurers over opioids
Ranking
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Erdogan lashes out at opposition for ‘exploiting’ dispute between football clubs and Saudi Arabia
- California law banning most firearms in public is taking effect as the legal fight over it continues
- A man is arrested in Arkansas in connection with the death of a co-worker in Maine
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Pakistan election officials reject former prime minister Khan’s candidacy in parliamentary election
- Gaza family tries to protect newborn quadruplets amid destruction of war
- Washington Law Attempts to Fill the Void in Federal Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals
Recommendation
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Sheet of ice drifts out into lake near Canada carrying 100 fishers, rescuers say
Washington Law Attempts to Fill the Void in Federal Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals
Ole Miss staffer posted fake Penn State player quote from fake account before Peach Bowl
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Red Sox trade seven-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale to Braves
Colorado mother suspected of killing her 2 children and wounding a third arrested in United Kingdom
Ole Miss staffer posted fake Penn State player quote from fake account before Peach Bowl