Coach K: I wouldn't be coaching Team USA today without Kobe Bryant

Coach Mike Krzyzewski believes he would not be coaching the U.S. men's national team today if not for the heroics of Kobe Bryant.

The two-time gold medalist coach heads to Rio next month in pursuit of his third and final gold before he retires from coaching internationally.

Krzyzewski admits when he reflects back that he wouldn't be in this position were if not for a legendary performance from Kobe back in 2008.

“In London, he was also an integral part of what we were doing and a key guy,” Krzyzewski said at USA Basketball training camp on Tuesday. “But if we lose in Beijing, you’re not interviewing me right now. So I recognize that.”

Bryant helped carry Team USA in the 2008 gold medal game against Spain. The Mamba scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a four-point play with three minutes remaining to put Team USA up nine. They never looked back.

Coach Krzyzewski continued reflecting on what was an opportunity to win back the gold after the U.S failed to do so in 2004:

“With less than nine minutes to go, we’re up by two against Spain — there’s a lot of pressure on him,” Krzyzewski said. “He comes out and he was the Mamba.”

The end result was the USA's Redeem Team gaining the advantage, and defeating Spain as Bryant hugged Coach K and poured bottled water on his head.

Krzyzewski credits Bryant for helping him establish and pull together the group that played together in 2008.

“He was the alpha dog during ’08,” Krzyzewski said. “And we had a lot of other aspiring alpha dogs: LeBron, Carmelo and those guys. So how do you get that era and this era together? They did.

“And then in London, you start adding (Kevin Durant) and (Russell) Westbrook. Now you have three eras of alpha dogs, and they got it together. But Kobe set an example for that. He’s smart. Really smart and good. I love him.”

Krzyzewski has one last chance to gain another gold medal before handing the coaching reigns to Gregg Popovich.

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