Lindsey Harding has made history as she joins the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching staff, becoming the first woman to hold an assistant coach position in the franchise’s storied history. She’s already made history as the first full-time female head coach of the Stockton Kings in the G League. Last season, she made history as the first Black woman to coach a team in that league, putting her exceptional skills and talent on full display.
Harding’s path to the Lakers’ bench has already paved with plenty of historic milestones. She and her staff coached the Stockton Kings to a 24-10 regular-season record. Her phenomenal season led to her being named G League’s Coach of the Year. Her astounding success turned heads around the world. She had already opened doors as a pro-personnel scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, accomplishing yet another movement milestone for women in sports.
In her new role with the Lakers, Harding will work in tandem with head coach JJ Redick. John saw her potential and took the leap of faith to hire her on the staff. Harding creates scouting reports for a third of the Lakers’ games. He brings these to the entire team and personally collaborates with players such as Dalton Knecht. Her approach to coaching emphasizes personal development, and she has engaged in meaningful conversations with star player LeBron James during timeouts.
In her previous roles, Harding has been no stranger to challenges or opportunities. When the Sparks came calling for their head coaching job last year, she picked up the call. Since then, she has pursued a variety of avenues in the WNBA. During this entire campaign, Harding has focused on equality and fairness as the things above all else that she’s most deserving of in a male-dominated field.
In her statement, Harding thanked everyone for their support to date.
“In my experience being in this league, I have been heavily supported. I have been given opportunity, I have been given responsibility, equity in this. Are we saying that these men just won’t hire me because I’m a woman? I’m going to give them more credit than that because I haven’t been treated that way.” – Lindsey Harding
Her experience highlights a continuing national discourse around equity in the realm of sports. Ultimately, Harding wants her abilities to be accepted impartially without having to be contextualized as a peril because she’s a woman.
“Because, the men here treat me like everyone else here. They give me the same responsibilities. If I do well, they cheer me on. If I do a poor job at something, they’ll let me know, too.” – Lindsey Harding
Despite her trailblazing accomplishments, she’s still open about the uphill battle that women continue to fight when it comes to coaching positions. She asks people not to look at her appointment as a risk. At the same time, most male coaches have had several more opportunities without similar public pressure.
“I really hate when they say, ‘Oh, take a chance.’ I mean, I can do what 29 other coaches do every year and not win a championship. But yet you keep recycling or you keep [going with] the same type of people. Is that a risk or not? So why is this a risk?” – Lindsey Harding
Vincent, a current professional player who has learned under Harding, corroborates her unconventional coaching approach. He notes that she takes a no-nonsense approach to ensure her players are developing. Notably, she stays away from any bombastic or bullying approaches.
“She really just does a good job at trying to help her players. And I think she has her way of leading.” – Vincent
Harding’s approach has proven popular with players who love how she provides feedback and support with positive encouragement. She’s still finding her way in her new role with the Lakers. Along the way, she is challenging perceptions on women serving in leadership positions in professional sports.
The Lakers organization’s commitment shows through their support of Harding’s position. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, has known Harding since their first encounter years ago in a middle school gym in Orange County. In many ways, this connection is indicative of the increasing recognition of women’s influence in the game of basketball.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss is well aware of the benefits that come with having women in the coaching ranks. Chaney remembers hearing Phil Jackson talk passionately about the positive energy that female coaches add to the coaching staff culture.
“Phil always said, ‘I would love to have a woman on the staff someday because the female energy would be a positive for any staff.’” – Jeanie Buss
It’s a clean slate for Harding as she begins a new chapter with the Lakers. She is making the way forward for younger generations of women in sports. Her incredible will to win proves that the glass ceilings can be cracked when talent and hard work are respected more than gender.
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