Meet Lisa Boyer, the NBA’s real first female volunteer assistant coach

Throughout the summer of 2001, John Lucas would stop in at the practice court inside Gund Arena to watch the Cleveland Rockers practice. He was hired as the new head coach of the Cavaliers in June of that year, and Lucas worked to build a relationship with Dan Hughes, who was in his second season as head coach of the WNBA affiliate.AdvertisementHe sat in on practices and attended their games, and noticed one of the assistant coaches, Lisa Boyer. He observed her precise and pointed approach to coaching, and the fluid way she could move in and out of a group conversation without disrupting Hughes’ flow. He recognized a true passion for the game, and noted how the women listened and responded to her coaching.Almost 20 years later, they each have slightly different memories of how Boyer ended up helping out at a Cavs practice in early October. But they share a similar sentiment that her gender didn’t matter; what mattered was her understanding of the game and her knowledge of coaching. Loo...