It has been a tough time for Teresa Weatherspoon, the former head coach of the Chicago Sky, who was recently let go after a disappointing season. After finishing at a dismal 13-27 and missing the playoffs, Chicago is on the lookout for its fifth coach in seven years. It has become quite a hot topic, with plenty believing she deserved another chance. One voice standing out is that of Becky Hammon, head coach of the Las Vegas Aces and a former teammate of Weatherspoon.

The 6× WNBA All-Star didn’t hold back when discussing the situation, expressing her disbelief over her fellow coach’s termination. “It doesn’t make any sense to me. They overplayed their roster. I thought they were in a rebuild,” she stated. Hammon went on to point out that it’s ‘unrealistic’ to expect a new culture to take root in less than a year, especially after a major roster shakeup.

“You can’t set culture, you can’t set good character and pieces in the right places,” she explained. The Aces HC’s admiration for Weatherspoon was evident, as she asserted that ‘Spoon is ‘resilient’ and will find her footing again. “But I don’t know, make it make sense to me,” the 47-year-old coach added, capturing the frustration felt by many. So, what led to Weatherspoon’s firing?

The Sky had high expectations this season, especially with the addition of rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Unfortunately, however, injuries and underperformance derailed their plans. The team stumbled to a 10th-place finish. But it wasn’t just the losses that played a part. Her connection with players on a coaching level also came into question. 

Even amidst it all, the ex-Sky coach has a solid support system. Angel Reese has publicly voiced her disappointment with the decision. The rookie star took to X to express her heartbreak over the coach’s firing. Recently, the ESPN analyst and basketball player Chiney Ogwumike also backed Teresa. But Becky’s reaction has been the most fiery of all. And considering their history together, it’s understandable why.

Becky Hammon & Teresa Weatherspoon’s Sisterhood On & Off The Court

The two coaches have a rich history together that goes back to their days as teammates on the New York Liberty from 1999 to 2004. While Becky Hammon joined the Liberty as an undrafted rookie, Weatherspoon was a seasoned veteran. Despite the age difference and experience level, they formed a deep sisterly bond that has lasted to date.

During their time together, the Wade Trophy awardee took Hammon under her wing. Even though Hammon had a tough start, she quickly grew as a player. By her third season, she had secured the starting point guard position. Reflecting on that time, Becky once recalled, “If anybody messed with me, they were all over them. So they became like protective big sisters.” That support made a world of difference for her.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s clear their bond remains strong. Both have transitioned into coaching, and they even faced each other as head coaches. However, their mutual respect was evident during interviews, where they fondly reminisced about their time together. Ahead of a Chicago-Las Vegas matchup earlier this season, the two also had their press conference together. So, while Spoon may be facing tough times now, she has a strong ally standing up for her!