Ladies Court - Women’s Basketball News and Analysis

Some Becky Hammon reaction

by Joe on April 17th, 2008

It’s been a week since Becky Hammon announced her intention to play for the Russian National Team in the 2008 Olympics, and there’s been a bit of reaction, which certainly can’t hurt the sport since it’s garnering larger mainstream media attention — but not much.

It seems to be leaning more toward supporting Becky’s move (or at least an acceptance of it) and while I’ve seen a bit of disagreement, it’s been more with the IOC allowing it versus those taking advantage of it.  From David Flores of the San Antonio Express-News.

I don’t get it. What happened to the lofty ideal that there could be no greater honor in sports than competing for one’s country?

As much as I respect Hammon and admire her passion to reach out to people, she and other pro athletes shouldn’t have the option to become, if you will, Olympic free agents.

Flores goes on to write that he wonders if San Antonians will be as forgiving, and it makes me wonder which San Antonians those would be… those who honestly don’t give a damn about the WNBA or Silver Stars or those who are die-hards (because it honestly seems like it’s those two groups around here)? Die-hards will likely support Becky because she always seems to be in tune with the communities where she’s been (as evidenced in my next linked column) and I doubt it will honestly hit the radar here even with some coverage.

Why do I say that? Well, David has a line that sums up San Antonians mindset toward the WNBA.

In case you missed it, Hammon said this week she will play for Russia in the 2008 Olympics.

David’s column was published in the April 12 edition of the E-N. Yeah, it was on 1C, but it was three days after the news broke and I don’t remember any local newspaper coverage of Hammon’s decision (there could have been a wire story or something buried in the briefs). Hell, KSAT even had the news in their sports segments the day of the draft.  Oh, well, I doubt San Antonians who aren’t fans of the WNBA could muster enough to honestly care.

Wayne Drehs of ESPN.com took another approach, but it was much less opinion and a more in-depth look at Becky’s decision.

Growing up in Rapid City, S.D., Becky Hammon was once so petrified after watching the movie “Red Dawn” — the 1984 film about an invasion of the United States by the Soviet Union and Cuba — that she had to sleep in her parents’ bedroom. She was worried the Russians were going to come to the heartland and take her parents away. The message that Hollywood engrained in the impressionable youngster was a simple one: Americans good, Russians bad.

Now, more than two decades later, Hammon, one of the most popular players in the WNBA and the MVP runner-up last season, has made the controversial decision to play basketball for Russia in the 2008 Olympic Games later this summer.

It’s a really strong piece that gets to the heart of her decision.

And remember, while you may not like some of the opinions (I’m sure there are many I have not come across yet), at least they’re talking the sport you love.

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POSTED IN: FIBA, Off the Court, Olympics, WNBA