Doc Rivers has also been mentioned as a candidate (including by Colangelo himself, unprompted, in this episode of SheridanHoopsRadio) and who doesn’t like Doc?
He’s won a title, has been a successful broadcaster and player and seems to get along with everyone.
If Colangelo wants to go back to the college route, North Carolina’s Roy Williams is in the Hall of Fame and is another guy whose selection would lead to little criticism.
Despite the rivalry and the public exchange of words, those of us who have known Colangelo for many years would be surprised – but not shocked – if he chose Popovich. Colangelo has always been a showman and had a flair for the dramatic. It would be just like him to do something unexpected.
It would also demonstrate that he sees a larger picture – that an NBA rivalry or a brief exchange of words publicly is very small in the big picture of international basketball. It would also be a statement on Colangelo’s part that Popovich has earned the right to lead the U.S. team. It would be the fair thing to do.
But if Colangelo is big enough to ignore whatever problems the two men have had in the past, then it would also be up to Popovich to be a part of the management team and make it work. Whatever disappointment he’s had in the past would have to stay in the past, with no lingering bad feelings.
Colangelo is one of the greatest executives in NBA history and Popovich is one of the great coaches of all time. They both want the same for USA Basketball.
It would be a shame if the two men didn’t do their best to become a team and make it work.
CHECK OUT JAN HUBBARD’S ARCHIVE FROM SHERIDAN HOOPS.COM. NOT A BAD ONE IN THE BUNCH.
Jan Hubbard has written about basketball since 1976 and worked in the NBA league office for eight years between media stints. Follow him on Twitter at @whyhub.