LAS VEGAS _ No one really knew each other going into that very first meeting in 2006, except by reputation. Mike Krzyzewski was the college coach put in charge of the Olympic team and Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were the NBA stars he was supposed to coach.
The Duke coach had been doing things his way for a long time, with tremendous success. He found out very quickly that his approach would have to change dramatically with the United States.
"I was saying, 'How are we going to do this? I think we should have two practices, one contact, one no-contact. What do you think?' " Krzyzewski said. "They were all like, 'I don't think we should do that.' "
So much has been discussed and written and dissected about how coaching the Olympians, and his increased exposure to the international and NBA game, has changed the way Krzyzewski coaches (and recruits) at Duke.
Less has been said about how Krzyzewski has successfully adapted his approach to the professionals he coaches for a brief period every two years _ a group of elite NBA players who did not play at Duke, other than Kyrie Irving, and in many cases never considered playing there.
"It was a learning process for him too, a college coach coming to coach some of the best players in the world," said Carmelo Anthony, who has played on all three of Krzyzewski's Olympic teams. "You're dealing with egos, you're dealing with pride, you're dealing with individualism, you're dealing with so much.
"He can't even watch our games because he's playing. A lot of these guys, he's seeing for the first time, which is a big adjustment. It took time for him to figure it out. I'm sure for him it was difficult early."
