Becky Hammon was one of the Portland Trail Blazers' leading candidates to become head coach, but the job ultimately went to Chauncey Billups.

“I’m not mad,” Hammon said. “This is the business, and it’s a very competitive business. But, at the end of the day, throw everything out the window — if you want to hire me, you’ll find a reason to hire me. And if you don’t want to hire me, you’ll find that reason, too. And that’s just that.”

Hammon will remain an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs next season and she feels like the Blazers already had their preferred target during the process. 

“I knew I was second; I knew who they wanted. And I’m OK with that, because every race I’ve gotten into my entire life, I’ve been behind, and I’m OK with that. And that’s just how it is — but at the same time, I’m not ignorant to what I’m going up against.”

Hammon also said she felt the Blazers were “authentic” in their coaching search.