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Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich recalled some of his own international experiences ahead of the FIBA 2019 World Cup, among them the way he was cut from a 1972 Olympic team.
“I was devastated when I didn't make it, 'cause anybody would be. They put me on an alternate team, we went to Brazil and Argentina and partied our a**es off. It was a lot of fun. We probably lost every game, I don't know. But that's the truth, I was young and foolish and it wasn't the real team.”
USA Basketball coach Gregg Popovich on being cut from 1972 Olympic team: “I was devastated. Anybody would be. They put me on alternate team, we went to Brazil & Argentina and partied out a—es off. I was young and foolish.” pic.twitter.com/hxLJHNcCYB
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 15, 2019
Yet Pop still has the memories of his fellow colleague Doug Collins stepping up for the red, white, and blue at the biggest stage of them all during a gold-medal game against the U.S.S.R.
“To this day, what I really remember about the whole ridiculous nature of that game. I’ll always remember Doug Collins [hitting] the two most pressurized free throws that I’ve ever seen anybody shoot,” said Popovich. “I don't care if how many championships or anything else. To have to make those two free throws that he made, at his age — just incredible. It still gives me goosebumps every time I think about him having to have the courage to step up and do that.”
USAB’s Gregg Popovich on disputed 1972 gold medal game vs. USSR: “I’ll always remember Doug Collins hitting the two most pressurized free throws I’ve ever seen. It still gives me goosebumps every time I think about him having the courage to step up and do that.” pic.twitter.com/g5LPRxOC1i
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 15, 2019
Pop's gray hairs aren't solely there to reflect his age, but also his experiences. The longtime staple of the San Antonio Spurs was also an Air Force alum with plenty of experience at the international level, even before he joined Larry Brown as an assistant for Team USA in the 2004 Olympics.
That experience should play a large role in how he manages this young roster in a tall task at the World Cup stage.
