Successor of Jerry Colangelo and new boss of USA Basketball, Grant Hill will have as his first mission to choose the next coach of the American national team, Gregg Popovich leaving his post after the gold medal won at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. An obviously very important choice for the international competitions to come. So we thought of five candidates, five coaches who seem most likely to take over Team USA.
If we believe the sources of The Undefeated and recent statements from Grant Hill, the latter would be looking for a coach who currently has a position in the NBA as well as experience with Team USA, while knowing the FIBA game well. The new coach is expected to be chosen before the start of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, which is due to begin on October 19.
Steve Kerr
The first name that comes to mind quite naturally is that of Steve Kerr. Why ? Because the current coach of the Warriors has been on the bench of Team USA for almost three years. Appointed assistant coach at the end of 2018, Kerr assisted Gregg Popovich at the Chinese World Cup in 2019 and then at the Tokyo Olympic Games. In other words, the experience with Team USA, he has it, even if the experience in itself has not always been conclusive with the failure in China and the turbulence that accompanied the start of the last Olympic campaign. . However, we are still talking about a coach who won three NBA rings with the Warriors, and who knows what it feels like to have a Dream Team at his disposal. Steve Kerr therefore ticks a lot of boxes in the eyes of Grant Hill, who obviously wants the transition to be as good as possible. In addition, the coach of the Warriors seems very hyped at the idea of succeeding Pop.
Erik Spoelstra
Another very credible candidate, Erik Spoelstra. Over the years, Coach Spo has established itself as a benchmark in the NBA. It is not for nothing that he is now the second longest-lived coach within the same franchise: 13 seasons with Pat Riley’s Heat, that places you a man. Just for the record, only Gregg Popovich does better. And like Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra has a little experience when it comes to coaching stars and managing egos. From his third season on the NBA benches, Patoche gave him a Big Three Dwyane Wade – LeBron James – Chris Bosh available, hello pressure. Despite a rocky start, Spo never broke down and helped the Heat win two NBA titles in four finals. NBA Finals he found in 2020 in the bubble, proof that he is able to win even without the presence of a three-headed monster. In short, Spo’s CV speaks for itself, and Erik is one of the great symbols of Heat Culture, based on notions of collective, defense, and work. Finally, Spoelstra also has a little experience with Team USA since he recently coached the Select Team (the reserve team acting as sparring partner) during the preparation for the Olympic Games. That makes arguments.
Jeff Van Gundy
Almost every year, we have rumors about a return of Jeff Van Gundy to the NBA. And every year, the former Knicks and Rockets coach refuses to quit his job as a consultant at ESPN. Could a position at the head of Team USA appeal to him? Why not, that would allow him to find a bench while continuing his great speeches against the current game which he considers to be much too soft. However, not sure if his file is at the top of the pile on the desk of Grant Hill, who is obviously looking for an active NBA coach. JVG’s overall experience (almost two decades in the NBA, more than half as a head coach) is nevertheless a strong point on his CV, and Jeff has recently completed a few assignments for Team USA. Indeed, he coached the US national team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup before securing qualifying for the 2019 World Cup, all with a squad that was light years away from what we usually see at major events. international competitions.
Jay Wright
Another assistant to Gregg Popovich during the Tokyo Olympics, mister Jay Wright. Those unfamiliar with the NCAA may be new to this name, but be aware that Wright is one of the main reasons for the success of some young NBA players trained in Villanova: Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Saddiq Bey. At the helm of the Wildcats for two decades, Wright has established himself as one of the best college coaches (two NCAA titles) and has even just entered the Hall of Fame. In other words, we are not talking about just anyone. So certainly, he does not have the status of “NBA Coach” but it would not be the first time that an NCAA coach has found himself at the helm of Team USA. Sometimes it can even be a good thing to have someone from outside the NBA with limited closeness to the stars that make up the team. This was the case for example just before Gregg Popovich, with the legendary Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) who was at the base of the revival of the American national team after several flops. If Jay Wright does not necessarily have the same stature as Coach K, he has a little experience with USA Basketball which could help him if he decides to apply. As indicated above, he was part of the staff of Pop last summer as well as at the Chinese World Cup in 2019, while having carried out a few minor assignments in previous years.
Tom Thibodeau
We finish with Thibs, the new mayor of New York. After more than a year without coaching, Tom Thibodeau made his comeback on the bench for the Knicks, which he carried to the Playoffs to everyone’s surprise. Defensive discipline, big collective, intensity… no doubt, the Thibs method can always be very effective. What to seduce Grant Hill, who necessarily wants a coach with a strong grip at the head of Team USA. NBA Champion as a defensive assistant with the Big Three Celtics Paul Pierce – Kevin Garnett – Ray Allen, and twice Coach of the Year with Chicago and New York, Thibodeau has an attractive profile, especially since he knows Team well. USA. He was on Mike Krzyzewski’s bench during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics, each time winning a gold medal. “Tom is one of the greatest coaches on the planet. To be honest, he spoke to the team more than me ” in particular said Coach K a few years ago. If Thibs is chosen by Grant Hill to take up the torch, he will have to be told that he will not need to play his stars 40 minutes per game in FIBA competitions.
Other potential coaches to take over from Gregg Popovich: Nate McMillan, Monty Williams, Mike D’Antoni, Doc Rivers
So, do you see who to succeed Pop for the next upcoming events? One of the five guys mentioned above? Rather someone else? Give your names out, maybe Grant Hill will come by when he has to make up his mind.
