Becky Hammon had jokes about Sparks’ Curt Miller’s firing

The Los Angeles Sparks have let head coach Curt Miller go after two seasons, the workforce introduced in an official press launch on Tuesday night — and star Dearica Hamby expressed her disappointment quickly after.

“On behalf of our possession group and franchise, I wish to thank Coach Miller for his ardour and dedication to the Sparks group these previous two seasons,” mentioned Eric Holoman, the workforce’s Governor. “We want him properly shifting ahead.”

Hamby — the only real All-Star on the Sparks this season, who additionally publicly appeared near Miller — expressed assist for her coach on Twitter/X quickly after the firing was introduced.

“You had my again on all ranges that some individuals won’t ever see,” Hamby wrote. “I want we might’ve had extra time as we’ve seen what you’re able to.”

“That is arduous for me as a giant a part of my transition success and assist to LA has been Curt,” Hamby wrote on Twitter. “I hope there’s grace on this course of for a confirmed, superb coach. All the pieces shouldn’t fall on his shoulders, and there’s a lot extra that goes into teaching in addition to wins and losses.”

Throughout Miller’s two-year tenure, the Sparks completed with a 25-55 report. Previous to his time on the Sparks, Miller was the top coach of the Connecticut Solar for 7 seasons, and earlier than that, he was a Sparks assistant. Whereas he by no means acquired the Solar over the hump, has accrued the Eleventh-most regular-season wins in WNBA historical past, and holds a profession common season report of 165-141, and. He’s the Sparks’ seventeenth head coach in 28 seasons.

Within the Sparks’ press launch, the workforce famous a slew of particular person accolades that Sparks gamers had been awarded below Miller’s management. In 2023, Nneka Ogwumike was named an All-Star and All-WNBA Second Crew member, and Jordin Canada made the All-Defensive First Crew. In 2024, Dearica Hamby was named a WNBA All-Star and the Related Press Most Improved Participant, whereas rookie Rickea Jackson was named to the AP All-Rookie Crew.

“I need to thank your complete Sparks group for the chance to guide and assist rebuild the franchise,” Miller mentioned within the official assertion. “I’m happy with the tradition created in our locker room and strongly consider the roots have been established for a vibrant future. The workforce is now positioned for achievement, and I want the gamers the very best heading into the 2025 season.”

Miller was beforehand an assistant coach at Colorado State College, the place now-Aces head coach Becky Hammon was the star level guard. Hammon was requested concerning the difficulties of profitable within the WNBA and Miller’s firing forward of the Aces’ Recreation 2 matchup towards the Storm.

“Groups don’t win, coaches get fired. Interval. And that’s what you join,” Hammon mentioned.

Hammon additionally acknowledged there have been entrance workplace modifications within the midst of Miller’s tenure that additional sophisticated issues.

“You don’t prefer to see any coach lose their job ever. I don’t know what path they’re moving into. However plenty of instances once you herald new administration, you type of need to rent your individual coach, so I get that facet of it — as a result of you’ve gotten a sure imaginative and prescient of what you need the workforce to be,” Hammon mentioned. “So yeah, that’s troublesome, particularly a good friend. It stinks.”

With a chuckle, Hammon famous that the Aces fell to the Sparks twice within the 2024 season.

“However, we did our half. We allow them to have two wins.”