NBA stars in the Team USA basketball program have a unique opportunity every few years to play for one of the best, if not the best, college coaches ever in Mike Krzyzewski.

Coach K comes in with a little bit of a fresh perspective. All great coaches, no matter the level, share some of the same traits, but players always rave about the experience they get playing for the Duke University coach.

The legendary bench tactician often brings out the best in certain players. This summer, as Team USA prepares for the Rio Olympics, DeAndre Jordan is the one turning heads more than most.

The Los Angeles Clippers center has definitely gotten Coach K's attention, via NBA.com:

“As much as I’ve seen him on TV, I’ve never seen him in person. As good as I thought he was on TV and on tape, he’s better. He’s really one of the great players in the league right now, and an amazing teammate. He does dirty work willingly, but he does it at the highest level. I think he’s a special player.”

Jordan is under more criticism than he deserves probably because of his poor free throw shooting, which in turn can make him shy away from big moments in games offensively. Still, he's been able to prove just how valuable he is, earning a First Team All-NBA nod this past season after making the Third Team a year before.

DeMarcus Cousins will likely be the starting center for Team USA this summer. Cousins isn't a bad defender himself and far more advanced than Jordan offensively. But Jordan will play a vital role as well. He can be the best option as a defensive anchor and dominate the offensive glass.

In the team's first exhibition game against Argentina, one of the best opponents the United States could see in Rio, winning the battle on the boards so dramatically was maybe the most impressive aspect of the win. Jordan was a big part of that.

The Olympics and playing for Coach K can be a great experience for a player, one that helps propel him to new heights when he returns to the NBA. Signs point toward Jordan being the guy that takes advantage the most this summer.

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