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For Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich, the national team doesn't need to possess the best talents in the whole world to make a mark in the FIBA World Cup in China.
Per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press via SWX Right Now, Popovich addressed the concerns that Team USA's roster for the FIBA World Cup isn't as talented as the teams they've fielded before. This is due to the spate of NBA elite stars who have pulled out from participating in the international tourney. Popovich noted that having little talent is not a good thing. But he's also looking for other things in a player — things that are more critical than talent:
“We’re looking for guys who are competitive, who can handle the discipline it’s going to take to get this done, play a team game and basically fall in love with each other and have that empathy so that they feel responsible to each other and depend upon each other,” Popovich said. “That obviously means you don’t need the greatest amount of talent in the world.
“Too little talent is not a good thing, but we don’t have that problem.”
Popovich is not a stranger to coaching a team with “little talent.” The Spurs, after all, have never missed the playoffs since the 1996-1997 season. In this two-decade run, the Spurs saw their the careers of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker reach their tail end. Despite this, Popovich managed to create and develop a team who can compete in the playoffs. So for those who have doubts on Team USA's chances at the FIBA World Cup, just reflect on what Popovich has done in his career and why many consider him a legend.
