Although the Miami Heat and LeBron James thoroughly trounced the San Antonio Spurs last night in Miami, James had some great words regarding Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
James would absolutely love to see Pop become the next head coach of the U.S. Olympic team for the 2016 games should current coach Mike Krzyzewski not return.
“Absolutely,” James said when asked by FOX Sports Florida about that possibility. “He knows the game. He knows the players. And he’s coached enough stars at San Antonio. I think he’d be great (as Olympic coach). If Coach K decides he doesn’t want to do it any more, I think Coach Popovich would be a great candidate. His resume speaks for itself.”
And the endorsements didn’t stop there.
Tony Parker also feels Pop would make an excellent Olympic head coach.
“He’d be a great (Team USA) coach. Pop knows European basketball,” said Parker, referring to some of the top foes the Americans would face. “He’s always traveling to Europe. He’s always coming to watch me play European Championships. He knows European basketball for sure.”
The last time Pop was involved with the Men’s Olympic Basketball squad was back in 2004 when he served as an assistant to former Spurs coach Larry Brown at the Athens games. However, that team failed miserably and only managed to secure a bronze medal.
But say what you will about Coach K and his success with Team USA, Pop would made an excellent head coach.
He obviously knows the European style of play and scouts various European players. He is well received throughout the NBA and players, coaches and GMs respect him tremendously.
But Pop doesn’t even want to think about it.
“I don’t even think about stuff like that.”
Jerry Colangelo (U.S. Chairman and Phoenix Suns owner) passed on Pop back in 2005 for Coach K so it will be interesting what direction Colangelo will go should Coach K not return.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? Think Pop should b e given a shot at coaching Team U.S.A.?
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