Is it just us – or are the women of the W making some serious moves into the coaching and front office ranks of the NBA?
We already knew about Becky Hammon and what she has done in San Antonio under Gregg Popovich with the Spurs, Jenny Boucek as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, Nancy Lieberman with the Sacramento Kings, and most recently, Kristi Toliver with the Washington Wizards.
Is three-time WNBA champion Sue Bird ready to join that list/ It appears so according to recent reports that she is on the verge of joining the front office staff at the Denver Nuggets.
Chris Dempsey, a reporter with Altitude Sports, reported that Bird has had conversations with the Nuggets for the past couple of months – meaning those talks were ongoing since prior to the playoffs where the Storm won the WNBA title.
WNBA star Sue Bird was at #Nuggets practice today. She is meeting with the executive staff this week, which could turn into working with the team. She is still playing, so could not be hired to a full time position.
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) October 19, 2018
Because of her WNBA commitments, Bird would not be able to hired to a full-time role and the report mentions that her role would involve her working alongside the front office instead of with the coaching staff.
Photo Credit — Deborah Murman/NBPA
As for Chasity Melvin…
Ex-WNBA Player Chasity Melvin Named First Female Coach in Charlotte Hornets & Greensboro Swarm History https://t.co/dH7lgc6oIs via @BSO
— Chasity Melvin (@chasitymelvin) October 20, 2018
She too made a significant move. The former WNBA All-Star and 11th overall pick out of North Carolina State was added to the coaching staff of the Greensboro Swarm, the G-League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets.
Thanks Coach, I’ve come along way since you recruited that small town country gal! Appreciate ya! https://t.co/aifY0n0glP
— Chasity Melvin (@chasitymelvin) October 19, 2018
Thanks! Big fan appreciate the tweet! https://t.co/mtgNMw7WDr
— Chasity Melvin (@chasitymelvin) October 20, 2018
The great news just keeps coming. I am thankful for people who have opened their eyes to what @WNBA players past and present have to offer. It goes way beyond scoring points and grabbing rebounds. Congrats @chasitymelvin!! So happy for you!! https://t.co/qp0M0ChGAb
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) October 19, 2018
I coached high school for two years and I was trying to get into college coaching. I didn’t have NBA coaching on my radar. So to have this opportunity, and for my journey to start at home in North Carolina with Coach Wolf and the Swarm and the Jordan family, it’s such a great opportunity.
–Chasity Melvin, per the Greensboro News and Record
Melvin also says she does not look at the job through a different lens simply because she is coaching men instead of women.
I don’t think of it as coaching men; I’m coaching basketball players.
–Chasity Melvin, per the Greensboro News and Record
Now it does really ignite my competitive drive, that fire inside that all pro athletes are still looking for after they retire. Because coaching men, the game is faster and a little more challenging. I have to be quicker on my feet, quicker to adapt.
Melvin’s playing career spanned three teams – the Cleveland Rockers, the Chicago Sky, and Washington Mystics.
