The Silver Stars reached the playoffs this season for the first time since relocating to San Antonio, and for that, plenty of credit was given to star point guard Becky Hammon. In guiding the Silver Stars to the No. 2 seed in the WNBA's Western Conference, Hammon — in her first year with San Antonio — averaged a team-high 18.8 points and five assists per game with a .931 free-throw percentage during the regular season. And although the Silver Stars were swept by Phoenix in the Western Finals, with Hammon, a nine-year veteran, in the mix, continued success is expected from the team next season. In a recent chat with 210SA, Hammon explained the Silver Stars' vast improvement this season, why she won't accept too much of the credit for that turnaround and whether the comparisons to Phoenix guard Steve Nash are justified.
 
What's been the difference this year?
Really, I just think it's a tribute to the kind of people coach (Dan) Hughes brought in. He brought in a lot of high-character people that definitely had a team concept in mind ..... not only great people, but great players. The chemistry is what makes this team so special.

You're one of the frontrunners for WNBA MVP this season, so don't you deserve some of the credit as well?
No, it's pretty much all them. In fact, the only reason my name is mentioned (in the MVP race) is because of how our team has done. They make shots, they make plays, and even when I was out (with an injury), they won games. For me, the (MVP) award would be a team award because, ultimately, they made it all possible. I'm proud of this team and proud of what we have, and (if I won the award) I almost feel like I'd need to cut off every part of (the trophy) and give it to each of them.

Despite starring at Colorado State, you were undrafted out of college before catching on with New York. How did you deal with that?
That happened a long time ago. You just go and take advantage of your opportunity, and that's what I've done my whole career. When I went into New York, I went in there with the idea of making it through (preseason) camp and doing whatever I needed to do to make the team. It turned into eight years. That was a long time ago, but I've worked hard and made the most of it. If I ever stopped and listened to the reasons why I shouldn't be here and put merit into others' opinions, I don't know what I'd be doing. I'd probably be a schoolteacher or a P.E. coach.

Speaking of other careers, you've done some on-camera work for ESPN. Is that your post-basketball career?
I don't know. It's definitely an option, but I'm keeping it open. I love doing the TV thing, being involved in the game and analyzing it. I don't know what I'll be doing, but right now, I'm focused on how I need to do today. Let tomorrow worry about itself.

How much longer do you think you'll play?
I don't know. It depends on how my body holds up, but where I'm at in my career, I'd love to win a WNBA championship before I walk away.

How much do close, high-scoring games like your 102-100 loss to Phoenix (in Game 1 of the Western Finals) help popularize the WNBA to the casual basketball fan?
That game, I imagine for the average viewer, it was exceptional to watch. It was an absolutely awesome game. Obviously from a technical side, there were things we could have done better, but for the viewer, it doesn't get much better than that. Those kinds of moments, the excitement and the energy, those moments don't happen very often. It's something that ..... none of us will ever forget.

You've been called the female version of Steve Nash. Do you see the similarities?
Obviously, that's a huge compliment for me to even be in the same sentence ..... He's pretty crafty in there, and he's my favorite player in the NBA. I love his game, and the Phoenix Suns are one of my favorite teams from an entertainment standpoint. But I don't put tons of credit or emphasis on what others say. I try not to read stuff, good or bad.

Is it smart to broadcast your admiration for Steve Nash in San Antonio?
I don't think anyone can sit there and say they don't enjoy watching Steve Nash play. You may not like Phoenix, but any true fan appreciates what he does with the basketball. But I was still pulling for the Spurs.

CLINT HALE | 210SA