“If Kevin Durant said no, I would’ve begged, cried, done anything to change his mind.”: Team USA Head Coach Gregg Popovich talks about how important the Nets’ superstar’s presence was for him

Team USA Head Coach Gregg Popovich opens up about what extent he would have gone to make sure Kevin Durant plays in Tokyo 2020

The Team USA began their training camp for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics yesterday. It is being organized in Las Vegas. The top priority for Gregg Popovich and his staff there is to make sure the players get along together in time for the Olympics. With the main event less than 3 weeks away, the task won’t be easy. However, they have quite a few big names on their 12 man squad.

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Out of the 12 man squad, there are three NBA Champions. The list includes 2x Finals MVP Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love. They would soon add another champion or two, when Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker join the camp after the NBA Finals. The roster also has big names like Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo.

Greg Popovich would have begged and cried to get Kevin Durant

Any coach in their right minds would like to have a talent like Kevin Durant on their side. After the painful end to the Nets’ season, no one would have pointed fingers at Kevin Durant for saying no to the Olympics team. However, even after a long season, Durant did not shy away from committing to the National Duty.

During the training camp, someone asked Gregg Popovich how he would have reacted if KD said no. Pop kept it real and said what he had in mind.

Pop on what he would’ve done if Kevin Durant declined playing in the Olympics: “If he said no, I would’ve begged, cried, done anything to change his mind.”

— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) July 6, 2021

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Pop being the person he is, did not shy away from saying what is on his mind. He was also asked about potential lobbying for the formation of superteams in the NBA. Gregg Popovich, once again, kept it real and said that it’s none of his business.

Team USA starts its practice matches in the Camp on Friday. It would be interesting to see how the team gets along till then. Team USA plays its first match in the Olympics on 25th July against France.