Coach K joins US practice
GREGG Popovich somehow only met Mike Krzyzewski for the first time about four years ago, when the two coaching greats saw their paths finally cross when they were together at a USA Basketball event. They’re a whole lot closer now. USA Basketball’s coaching past was alongside its present Wednesday, when Krzyzewski—who led the national team to an 88-1 record over his 12 years at the helm—was alongside Popovich for Day 3 of the team’s training camp in advance of the FIBA World Cup. And Popovich made no effort to hide how happy he was to have his predecessor in the gym to watch practice and some scrimmages.
“We were anxious to get Coach K in town to spend a couple days,” Popovich said. “I’ve already talked to him, as you might imagine, gotten advice. But to have him here, seeing the scrimmage, now we can all go back and talk about what we think needs to happen. Having him here with that added experience is invaluable.”
Popovich wasn’t the only one in the gym feeling a boost from Krzyzewski’s presence on Wednesday. Among the others: USA Basketball forwards Mason Plumlee and Jayson Tatum, both of whom said they relished the chance to spend some extra time with their coach from Duke.
“It was great, man,” Plumlee said. “I try to see Coach once or twice a summer, so for him to come out here ... he didn’t come for me, but it was great to see him.”
Tatum chatted with Krzyzewski for a few minutes after practice, and said he got some advice.
“Confidential,” Tatum said. “But it was good advice.”
Krzyzewski won five gold medals in his tenure as national team coach — including three at the Olympics and two from the world championships, now known as the World Cup — started Wednesday in a morning meeting with Popovich and other coaches. He walked into practice at UNLV alongside Popovich and was expected to take part in more meetings before departing later this week. /