Coach K Out - Will Pop be the Next Team USA Coach?

[timvp]

ESPN says Coach K won't continue as the coach for Team USA. (Obviously, Coach K can change his mind and I'd bet there's still a 50/50 chance he does just that.)

If the job officially opens up, Pop is the obvious choice to get the gig. He's wanted the job in the past and he's clearly regarded as the best coach in the NBA. However, Jerry Colangelo will make the decision and he and Pop haven't gotten along in the past; it seems like Colangelo can't move beyond the beatdowns the Spurs have handed the Suns through the years.

Personally, I hope Pop gets the job. He wants it, he deserves it and should get it.

So far, the only other candidate I've heard reported is Doc Rivers. He's a good coach but Pop should be the next in line. I also wouldn't be surprised if Colangelo considers other college coaches.

Considering Pop's age (64), this is likely his last chance to get the job.

[Spur|n|Austin]

ESPN says Coach K won't continues as the coach for Team USA. (Obviously, Coach K can change his mind and I'd bet there's still a 50/50 chance he does just that.)

If the job officially opens up, Pop is the obvious choice to get the gig. He's wanted the job in the past and he's clearly regarded as the best coach in the NBA. However, Jerry Colangelo will make the decision and he and Pop haven't gotten along in the past; it seems like Colangelo can't move beyond the beatdowns the Spurs have handed the Suns through the years.

Personally, I hope Pop gets the job. He wants it, he deserves it and should get it.

So far, the only other candidate I've heard reported is Doc Rivers. He's a good coach but Pop should be the next in line. I also wouldn't be surprised if Colangelo considers other college coaches.

Considering Pop's age (64), this is likely his last chance to get the job.

It sure would be nice to see Pop ride off into the sunset with at least one more championship and a gold medal as well.

[mercos]

It would be a crime if Pop wasn't given the chance to coach team USA. On top of being the best coach in basketball at any level, he has also served this country in the Air Force.

[polandprzem]

If Pop gets it I might actually start cheering for USA team again

[Fabbs]

Matty Bonner in the Olympics!
Yay! Yah! Yah!

PPoppers get ready for one colossal celebration!
schitkkk and Chump are the event planners.

[capek]

Total bull if Pop is passed over. I'll be officially done with Team USA basketball if that happens.

[timvp]

Getting ahead of myself but ..... if Pop does get the job, wouldn't Kawhi be a perfect fit for a spot on Team USA? A defensive player that can play multiple position and shoot from the perimeter who doesn't need the ball much to be effective?

I'd say Kawhi is a bit of a longshot because: 1) Scorers usually make the Olympic team -- not defenders 2) Kawhi will need to be closing into All-Star level and that probably won't happen in the next couple seasons

[Texas_Ranger]

when will they select the new coach??

[dougp]

Getting ahead of myself but ..... if Pop does get the job, wouldn't Kawhi be a perfect fit for a spot on Team USA? A defensive player that can play multiple position and shoot from the perimeter who doesn't need the ball much to be effective?

I'd say Kawhi is a bit of a longshot because: 1) Scorers usually make the Olympic team -- not defenders 2) Kawhi will need to be closing into All-Star level and that probably won't happen in the next couple seasons

Don't coaches get to choose the team in the Olympics?

[ChumpDumper]

Matty Bonner in the Olympics!
Yay! Yah! Yah!

PPoppers get ready for one colossal celebration!
schitkkk and Chump are the event planners.

Well, if Pop doesn't get the job, he will always have the consolation of owning you in perpetuity.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Getting ahead of myself but ..... if Pop does get the job, wouldn't Kawhi be a perfect fit for a spot on Team USA? A defensive player that can play multiple position and shoot from the perimeter who doesn't need the ball much to be effective?

I'd say Kawhi is a bit of a longshot because: 1) Scorers usually make the Olympic team -- not defenders 2) Kawhi will need to be closing into All-Star level and that probably won't happen in the next couple seasons

If Bruce didn't ever get a selection, then Kawhi will not either..

[Mel_13]

Getting ahead of myself but ..... if Pop does get the job, wouldn't Kawhi be a perfect fit for a spot on Team USA? A defensive player that can play multiple position and shoot from the perimeter who doesn't need the ball much to be effective?

I'd say Kawhi is a bit of a longshot because: 1) Scorers usually make the Olympic team -- not defenders 2) Kawhi will need to be closing into All-Star level and that probably won't happen in the next couple seasons

Coach K took Battier to the WCs in 2006.

[loveforthegame]

Pop is more than deserving. Hope he gets the nod.

[Cane]

Kawhi's game would translate well, and as long as he keeps improving he'll get in with or without Pop imo

Hopefully the Spurs can steal Kevin Durant through Coach Pop and Team USA

[DesignatedT]

I didn't realize how old Coach K was until last year. He's already 66 so Pop should definitely get the job at 64.

[Spur|n|Austin]

I didn't realize how old Coach K was until last year. He's already 66 so Pop should definitely get the job at 64.

WOW, he does not look 66 at all!

[Mugen]

Doesn't help that the two best players in the world play the some position as Kawhi. He'd get an invite to the tryouts I'm sure and I hope he makes it.

That said, I think theres a >50% chance that Coach K changes his mind and ends up coaching again tbh. I think the top guys will be lobbying hard for him once again and Colangelo is a f'n tool.

[ace3g]

dan mccarney ‏@danmccarneysaen Parker says Pop can coach French team if Team USA doesn't happen. "We'll just get him drunk. A lot of wine. It will be fun."

[Spur|n|Austin]

dan mccarney ‏@danmccarneysaen Parker says Pop can coach French team if Team USA doesn't happen. "We'll just get him drunk. A lot of wine. It will be fun."

[MR-Clutch]

Time to start a twitter hash tag for pop? If it worked for bonner, it's gotta work for pop.

[jesterbobman]

Kawhi also has Paul George as a SF/ Wing with Defensive ability. George would probably be the option for that wing slot at this point.

[capek]

If Bruce didn't ever get a selection, then Kawhi will not either..

Kawhi's game is much more well rounded than Bruce's, so I don't think that comparison works. Kawhi has a ways to go before something like this would be likely, but he's already being recognized as one of the best young players in the league, so it's not like it's a ridiculous long shot. I think his really strong showing in the rising stars game will help push him on the way, as it gave everyone a chance to see that he's a legit player, despite the modest role he plays in the Spurs current makeup.

[FromWayDowntown]

So far, the only other candidate I've heard reported is Doc Rivers. He's a good coach but Pop should be the next in line. I also wouldn't be surprised if Colangelo considers other college coaches.

I agree that Pop should be the replacement for Coach K and I don' really think the argument for anyone else is particularly compelling; I think the best anyone else can say is that he's not Popovich and doesn't bring the anti-aggrandizement baggage that Pop does.

With that said -- after the 40th anniversary of Munich and the theft that was the gold medal game in those Olympics, there was some sentiment last summer to make Doug Collins the head coach and allow him to lead the team to the gold medal that he was denied. I don't know that Collins' NBA record is particularly helpful to any effort to make him the head coach of the next Olympic team, but I have heard his name mentioned in this discussion.

[Pasta Batman]

If Bruce didn't ever get a selection, then Kawhi will not either..

Not that Kawhi is flashy, but he's flashier than Bowen. He also has a more well rounded game.

[dylankerouac]

I hope Pop gets it.