Have you ever seen a champion give all the credit to their toughest opponent? Becky Hammon, fresh off leading the Las Vegas Aces to their third WNBA Championship in just four years, did exactly that! While the Aces' dynasty is undeniable, Hammon took a moment to shine a light on a team that nearly derailed their title run: the Indiana Fever. But here's where it gets interesting...
First, let's acknowledge the Aces' dominance. Sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals is no small feat. And consider this: Becky Hammon has been the Aces' head coach for only four seasons. That means she's secured a championship in a staggering 75% of her coaching career! Talk about a winning record.
However, the road to the championship wasn't a cakewalk. The Indiana Fever pushed the Aces to the absolute limit in the WNBA Semifinals. It all came down to a nail-biting Game 5 that went into overtime. The Aces ultimately prevailed, but it was a hard-fought victory against a Fever team missing key players. Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham were sidelined with injuries, Kelsey Mitchell got hurt during the game, and Aliyah Boston fouled out.
Despite the Aces' victory, Hammon's post-championship interview revealed a profound respect for the Fever. "It didn't feel great in the arena, after just having barely beat Indiana [in Game 5]," Hammon admitted, according to The Ballers Magazine. "But when you go back and watch those games, I didn't feel like it was so much of us playing bad, as they played great. Like, Indiana played great."
Hammon went on to emphasize the Fever's strengths: "They had great individual performances, I think they're coached great... that was a very good team, a very resilient team that had just went through Atlanta. Like, I don't think, instead of trying to not take away from our credit, why don't we give them credit?"
She specifically called out Kelsey Mitchell, Odyssey Sims, and Aliyah Boston, describing them as "a formidable bunch." She also highlighted Shey Peddy's clutch performances. "What are you gonna do? Sometimes you just gotta pat them on the back and say good job, and run back on defense."
And this is the part most people miss... Hammon wasn't prompted to talk about the Fever. The question she was asked had nothing to do with them. Yet, she deliberately steered the conversation to give credit where she felt it was due. This speaks volumes about her character and her understanding of the game.
Hammon's praise suggests she sees something special brewing in Indiana. Perhaps a future rival for the Aces? Maybe a team poised for a championship run of their own? Only time will tell. Becky Hammon clearly believes that the Fever have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA. But here's a controversial interpretation: Some might argue that Hammon's praise could be seen as a subtle way of elevating the Aces' own victory. By highlighting how strong the Fever were, she's indirectly emphasizing the difficulty of their win and, consequently, the Aces' dominance.
So, what do you think? Is Hammon's praise genuine admiration, a strategic move, or a bit of both? And do you see the Indiana Fever becoming a true contender in the WNBA in the coming years? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
