Fansided

Report: Gregg Popovich is first choice for Team USA coach

By Charles Rahrig V

Oct 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to reports, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is considered to be the No. 1 choice to be the next head coach of USA Basketball.

With Mike Krzyzewski set to step down after the 2016 Olympics next year as the head coach of Team USA Basketball, there will be an opening at head coach. With the incredible makeover that Jerry Colangelo and Coach K did in revitalizing Team USA, a top head coach is going to be of the highest priority.

According to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger, the top choice for the Team USA, is San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Widely regarded as the best coach in the league and one of the best all-time, Popovich runs one of the best structured units in the NBA and has shown that success doesn’t need a large market to do so.

Through an intelligent system of ball rotation and physical defense, the Spurs play some of the most beautiful basketball in the league and it’s clear Team USA wants that same style for their national team and for the stars to play in.

Popovich is perfect for the role as well. He has experience as an assistant for Team USA and plenty of international experience as a coach and a player. One of the great things about the Spurs, is their ability to turn talent from anywhere across the globe. With Team USA, he will be using American players, but his experience across the globe can serve well for the team no matter where on earth they are playing.

Now while this all may seem like the perfect fit, there’s a couple of things to consider. The first being that Popovich would have exclusive access to stars by being their coach and many could see that as a conflict of interest as USA Basketball takes place in the summer during the height of free agency. Would that give Popovich and the Spurs an unfair advantage during free agency?

The next thing to consider that Berger brings up, would be whether or not once upon a time a rivalry existed between Gregg Popovich’s Spurs and Team USA President Jerry Colangelo’s Phoenix Suns. It’s likely that on court rivalry wouldn’t translate to other ventures and Colangelo is the ultimate professional, so that one is not likely something to worry about.

"Two caveats to keep in mind: Popovich’s long-ago rivalry with Colangelo’s Phoenix Suns, and the fact that Pop may be looking for Colangelo to roll out the red carpet — which isn’t Colangelo’s style."

Whatever the case may be, Team USA needs a coach and Gregg Popovich could be there guy.

Home/NBA