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I didn't think that Pop would really want this job. But then again, he really does love the Olympics. Anyway, I find if very interesting that he's under consideration.
Coach K in line for 'Dream' job in 2008
By JAN HUBBARD
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...l/12472154.htm
After consecutive embarrassing losses by NBA players in international compe ion, the United States likely will rely on the leadership of a college coach to re-establish its supremacy in the basketball world.
Although a final decision will not be made until later this year, people close to Jerry Colangelo, who will make the final choice, say Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will be head coach of the 2008 Olympic men's basketball team.
"It's going to be Coach K," said someone close to the committee. "And it's going to be very interesting because it's not going to go down well with NBA coaches because they will be passed over by a college coach. And will NBA players play for him?"
Colangelo, the managing director of the men's senior national team, does not deny that Krzyzewski is a finalist for the job but says he has not yet made a decision.
"Mike Krzyzewski brings a wealth of experience, and he was an assistant on the original Dream Team," Colangelo said. "So he has the qualifications for the job. But that's all I'm going to say."
Others close to the process, however, say Krzyzewski has the inside track over San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, who was an assistant on the 2004 team that lost in Athens. That loss is not considered a negative against Popovich.
"What Gregg Popovich has accomplished and because of his understanding of international basketball, he certainly would be one of the strongest candidates at the position," Colangelo said.
Colangelo said there is a third candidate with NBA ties.
People close to the committee say that the race is between Krzyzewski and Popovich and that Popovich should not be discounted. Not only has Popovich won three NBA les in seven years, but he is close to Tim Duncan, who was frustrated with officiating in Athens and indicated he would no longer play in international events.
"Popovich may be the only one who could talk Duncan into playing, so he's not out of it," said someone close to the process.
One candidate not under consideration is former Mavericks coach Don Nelson, who would seem to be a good fit because of his knowledge of the international game and because, in his role as a Mavericks consultant, he has time to devote to a national team.
"He coached a team in '94 [at the world championships]," said a person also close to the committee. "So his name is not in the mix."
Colangelo said his committee, which has 29 members, including Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in an advisory capacity, has narrowed the list of players to 25. One is Kobe Bryant, which may be surprising to some because of Bryant's legal problems last year and the recent controversies surrounding the Lakers.
"This team is about redemption," Colangelo said. "What a great opportunity for Kobe Bryant to be a part of something that can help to change the perception of him and the perception of the U.S. basketball team. I am not going to rule out talent. Kobe Bryant is too good to not be a candidate. He's a great player."
Colangelo also wants to have a coaching staff with international experience, and people close to the committee indicate that Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni and Detroit coach Flip Saunders are two of the leading candidates for assistant coaching positions.
D'Antoni, who spent more than 20 years in Italy as a player and coach, would seem to be a candidate for the head coaching position because of his connection to Colangelo, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Suns. But one member of the committee said: "There is a feeling that Mike hasn't been around the U.S. teams quite long enough to run the whole show. But he could add a lot to the staff."
D'Antoni might coach the 2006 World Championship team. Colangelo indicated that, when a staff is named, the 2008 coach may not necessarily coach in the 2006 tournament but would play a role in training and preparation.
If Krzyzewski does become the head coach, he will be the first college coach to hold the position.
NBA players have played in four Olympics and two world championships since 1992 and each of those teams has been coached by an NBA coach. Naming a college coach to head a team of NBA players would be a dramatic move, but, after losses in Athens and at the 2002 World Championships, USA Basketball has made a radical change, which is why Colangelo will have the final word on the coaches and players.
"Jerry's management style is to listen to as many people as possible," said someone close to the process. "But, when it's all said and done, he'll take the information and say, 'I don't care what anybody says; this is what I'm doing.' Once he makes a decision, he doesn't care what anyone else thinks. And he never looks back."
Mike Krzyzewski
Age: 58 College: Army, '69
Current job: Duke University
Career record: 721-246 (30 seasons)
Notable: Head coach, Duke, 1980-present ... Assistant coach, USA, Barcelona Olympics, 1992 ... Head coach, USA, World Championships, 1990 ... Head coach, Goodwill Games, 1990 ... Head coach, USA, World University Games, 1987 ... Special assistant, USA, Los Angeles Olympics, 1984 ... Head coach, Army, 1975-80 ... Basketball Hall of Fame, enshrined, 2001 ... National college championships, 1991, '92, 2001 ... 12-time national college coach of the year ... 10 Final Four appearances ... 66 NCAA Tournament victories (ranks No. 1 all time).
Gregg Popovich
Age: 56 College: Air Force, '70
Current job: San Antonio Spurs
Career NBA record: 455-233, nine seasons
Career college record: 76-124, eight seasons
Notable: Head coach, San Antonio Spurs, 1996-present ... Assistant coach, USA, World Championships, 2002 ... Assistant, USA, FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, '03 ... Assistant coach, USA, Athens Olympics, '04 ... General manager, San Antonio Spurs, 1994-2002 ... Assistant coach, Golden State Warriors, 1992-94 ... Assistant coach, San Antonio Spurs, 1988-92 ... Head coach, Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) College, 1979-86, '87-88 ... NBA championships, 1999, 2003, 2005 ... NBA Coach of the Year, '03.
I didn't think that Pop would really want this job. But then again, he really does love the Olympics. Anyway, I find if very interesting that he's under consideration.
And Pop would be a great choice if they do the 3-year commitment thing they talked about a couple months ago (making the players commit now and start practicing now as a team for the 08 Olympics...). But... wouldn't it be kind of presumptuous of them to think he would try to talk Duncan into changing his mind? I mean, I can see Duncan cooling off after a year or two and deciding it might be fun to play again, but I can't imagine Pop trying to convince him to play if he doesn't want to.
I also thought it was interesting Nelson was being considered. It seemed that he just sort of lost interest in basketball all together over the last year, didn't it?
I find it funny that the committee is using Pop as leverage for getting Duncan to play with them....
If Pop quit the Spurs right now, would he get any run like Jackson and Riley do?
Well, you have to think of the qualified coaches who haven't done it yet there's:
PJax
K
Pop
Don Nelson :vomit
Roy Williams
Riley, I guess
It's a pretty short list. (Oh, yeah, Bob Huggins is free now.)
Krzyzewski knows the college game and international game is alot like that
if pop wants it fine but I think he should have time off unless he wants to use it to recruit players
I have a question regarding the Dream team coaching job.
Shouldn't it be part of the duties of the coach to make the selection of players he will work with?. If not, Why not?
Yeah i think the coach should make the selections of the players.
Pop's probably forgotten more about the international game than Coach K could ever know.
Sad that they're only keeping Pop on the list as sort of a poor man's kiss ass to get Duncan to play.
Tim should only play regular season games from here until the end of his career. He shouldn't put any more stress on his body than he needs to. Especially after his knee and ankle problems.
*C* maybe I should have said NBA games only
duncan has .00000000000000001% of going to games
Actually, I'd say there's about a 5% chance of him going
why does coach chechefski get more play than pop? Because he coaches duke? He's a good coach and all but please i don't think he's really that much better.
I don't think that's the case. It's definitely the slant of this article. But I understand Coach K and Coach Pop are running neck and neck for the job, and it really isn't about Duncan playing or not. Most insiders are under the assumption that Duncan will not play, whether Pop is the coach or not.Sad that they're only keeping Pop on the list as sort of a poor man's kiss ass to get Duncan to play.
I wonder whether Pop or Krzyzewski would be better able to attract pros to play for the team. I know when NBA players were polled Pop was voted the coach they'd most like to play for by a fairly wide margin.
I'm cynical I think part of the reason Pop won't get the nod is because he'll want to keep everything low profile, limited access to the press, etc. and the NBA wants the hoopla.
And that's probably one of the reasons why he's one of the frontrunners for the job. NBA players love Pop. Not many have a connection with Coach K like they have with Pop.I know when NBA players were polled Pop was voted the player they'd most like to play for by a fairly wide margin.
pop would be the natural choice for the job..
i hope he gets it, i would really root for the USA then, instead of the half assed attempt at rooting for them that happened last time, which happens when you have some giving half assed attempts.
"Popovich may be the only one who could talk Duncan into playingthat's blackmail.
BTW, I also read an article they were considering D'Antoni.
Anyway, i really doesn't matter to me at all if Duncan won't play again in the Olympics. I was as frustrated as he was when I watched those games. I was glad Manu, a Spur got the Gold , if not I'd really be pissed off.......
But I'd be glad if Pops gets the head coaching job.
I think D'Antoni wanted to be considered for the head coaching job, but instead he's been considered for an assistant spot.
"why does coach chechefski get more play than pop?"
he's more tele-genic?
American Express thinks so.
I wonder whether Pop or Krzyzewski would be better able to attract pros to play for the team. I know when NBA players were polled Pop was voted the coach they'd most like to play for by a fairly wide margin.
Jermaine O'Neal might play if Pops will coach, he once mentioned he really like Pops being with the team as asst. coach in the World... He was even surprised Pops even talked musicwith him.
That's one big man for the U.S.
Tim Duncan should never play another game for Team USA...Duncan went over there and represented America at a time when the country was very unpopular, it was a potentially dangerous situation and a lot of the popular NBA players wimped out...Duncan and AI were the only A-listers that stayed from the previous year and America crapped on them.
I don't blame Duncan for not wanting to play it again...if not for a technicality he has a National Team in the Virgin Islands that would have loved to have him play for them...
American Olympic Hoops fans that mostly deserted that team , don't deserve Tim Duncan...or AI. Don't do it Timmay...you did your part, don't sacrifice for the ungreatful fans that dumped on you. Let's start the whole thing over...Duncan did his part for a thankless Nation, and there was nothing spoiled or arrogant about him.
As for Pop...Pop is a great coach and has a great understanding of the international game...but it takes him time to get his teams to play well...he's not a guy that just gets some guys together and makes them compe ive from day 1...because of that I don't think his style is suited to the short training period for the Olympics.
Phil Jackson OTOH hand is...and since he annoys the out of people...I think he'd be the perfect guy to coach team USA.
They'll be training for 3 years.I don't think his style is suited to the short training period for the Olympics.
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