Doc Rivers a front runner to coach Team USA

ESPN.com
Colangelo has said repeatedly this week that he'll make one more run at it, after giving Krzyzewski some time to decompress when this is all over, but sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich have indeed already moved to the top of the list to take over in 2013 for Krzyzewski, who is expected to remain with the program as a top aide to Colangelo if he can't be convinced to extend his coaching tenure.

We heard Wojnarowski make the case for Rivers as Team USA coach a couple of weeks ago. However, we've also seen Doc Rivers make the case for Doug Collins to coach the team.

If it's really down to just Popovich and Rivers, I think the choice should be Rivers. While Popovich may be the greatest coach active in the game right now, Doc Rivers is a close second. The case against Pop is that his harsh style might not mesh well with the egos on Team USA. Meanwhile, Rivers has had proven success managing superstar egos and getting them to sacrifice for the greater good of the team.

Popovich is perhaps most respected for his ability to get relatively unknown players to perform. Could he do the same for superstars? You'd have to assume so. However, Rivers - known as a player's coach - has shown that he can command the respect of players who already have established backgrounds. A recent SI poll of NBA players had Doc Rivers as the coach most would love to play for.

Doc made a case for Doug Collins, but noted that anyone would accept the job if offered. Even him.