LeBron James won't rule out a return to Olympic play in 2020 now that Gregg Popovich is the head coach. James did not play for Team USA last summer in Rio, Mike Krzyzewski's final year as coach, in part because he has participated in the last six NBA Finals. But James said Saturday Popovich's presence will make him at least consider the idea of returning at age 35.
"It factors a lot. I've said that before," James said. "He's just a great mastermind of the game of basketball."
James this week called Popovich the greatest coach of all time, while Popovich said Saturday that James has finally earned the title of "king."
"We've had a lot of fun over the years going back and forth on the court, so I respect the hell out of him," Popovich said. "I've really enjoyed his progression, because now he truly is the king. In the beginning he wasn't. Everybody tried to make him that. He handled it really well. That was a tough situation for a young guy to be in like that.
"But the fact that he rose to that level and earned it, I think is very appropriate and really a tribute to him."
