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 want to thank Coach Miller for his ardour and dedication to the Sparks group these previous two seasons,” mentioned Eric Holoman, the group’s Governor. “We want him properly shifting ahead.”
Hamby — the only 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.”
To @CurtMillerWBB , I’m really grateful for our relationship and I feel that confirmed. You had my again on all ranges that some ppl won’t ever see. I want we may’ve had extra time as we’ve seen what you’re able to.. BUILD continues to be the idea and also you began that! Love you…
— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) September 25, 2024
“That is onerous for me as an enormous 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, wonderful coach. All the pieces 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 pinnacle coach of the Connecticut Solar for 7 seasons, and earlier than that, he was a Sparks assistant. Whereas he by no means received 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 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 wish to thank your complete Sparks group for the chance to steer and assist rebuild the franchise,” Miller mentioned 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 vivid future. The group is now positioned for achievement, and I want the gamers one of the 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 successful within the WNBA and Miller’s firing forward of the Aces’ Sport 2 matchup in opposition to the Storm.
“Groups don’t win, coaches get fired. Interval. And that’s what you join,” Hammon mentioned.
Becky Hammon weighed in on Curt Miller’s firing from the Sparks:
“Groups don’t win, coaches get fired, interval. And that’s what you join.” “
“You don’t prefer to see any coach lose their job ever.”
And jokes: “We did our half, we allow them to have two wins” pic.twitter.com/xusYfBhaNa
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) September 24, 2024
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 entering into. However lots of instances once you herald new administration, you form of wish to rent your individual coach, so I get that facet of it — as a result of you’ve a sure imaginative and prescient of what you need the group 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.”
