LeBron James Endorses Gregg Popovich as Next U.S. Olympic Coach


LeBron would be happy to see Gregg Popovich at the helm of USA Basketball once Coach K steps away from the gig. Reports Fox Sports: “James, the Miami forward, said Tuesday that Popovich, who has coached San Antonio to four NBA titles, would be a great choice for U.S. Olympic coach in 2016 if Mike Krzyzewski doesn’t return. ‘Absolutely,’ James said. ‘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.’ Popovich has Olympic experience. He served as an assistant to Larry Brown in the 2004 Athens Games, although Team USA managed just a bronze medal. […] It would be a surprise if Krzyzewski is back for 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Wade, a Miami guard, already has said 2012 will his last Olympics, but it’s possible James and Anthony, a New York forward, still could be around for what would be a Team USA record fourth Olympic appearance. ‘Don’t commit me yet,’ James said of 2016. ‘We’ll see.’ As for Popovich, 62, is he interested in being a future Olympic coach? He was noncommittal when asked Tuesday. ‘I don’t even think about stuff like that,’ Popovich said before a 120-98 loss to the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. ‘I just worry about tonight.'”