Becky Hammon had jokes about personal group in response to Sparks’ Curt Miller’s firing

The Los Angeles Sparks have let head coach Curt Miller go after two seasons, the group 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,” stated Eric Holoman, the group’s Governor. “We want him nicely transferring 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 folks won’t ever see,” Hamby wrote. “I want we may’ve had extra time as we’ve seen what you’re able to.”

“That is onerous 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 may be grace on this course of for a confirmed, superb coach. Every little thing shouldn’t fall on his shoulders, and there’s a lot extra that goes into teaching apart from 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 bought 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 group famous a slew of particular person accolades that Sparks gamers had been awarded underneath Miller’s management. In 2023, Nneka Ogwumike was named an All-Star and All-WNBA Second Staff member, and Jordin Canada made the All-Defensive First Staff. 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 Staff.

“I wish to thank all the Sparks group for the chance to guide and assist rebuild the franchise,” Miller stated within the official assertion. “I’m pleased with the tradition created in our locker room and strongly imagine the roots have been established for a shiny future. The group 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 in opposition to the Storm.

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

Hammon additionally acknowledged there have been entrance workplace adjustments 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 quite a lot of instances whenever you herald new administration, you sort of wish to rent your personal coach, so I get that side of it — as a result of you will have a sure imaginative and prescient of what you need the group to be,” Hammon stated. “So yeah, that’s troublesome, particularly a pal. 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.”