FIBA Basketball

    Popovich factor could sway LeBron to play in 2020

    CLEVELAND (Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games) - LeBron James had to watch from afar last summer when the United States struggled early on before claiming the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

    CLEVELAND (Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games) - LeBron James watched from afar last summer when the United States took a while to find their gold-medal winning stride at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

    The NBA superstar, who decided to get some well deserved rest after winning a title with Cleveland, doesn't want to miss out next time.

    At least that was the impression he has given when asked about playing at the 2020 Tokyo Games and whether San Antonio Spurs boss Gregg Popovich being at the helm of the American team would factor into his decision.

    James holds Popovich in the highest regard and called him "the greatest coach of all time" this week. 

    "I've said that before," James said to ESPN.com. "He's just a great mastermind of the game of basketball."

    If James were to put his hand up and make the Olympic team at the age of 35, it would be the second time that he and Popovich were together at an Olympics.

    Popovich was an assistant to head coach Larry Brown at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens when a young James helped the USA capture the bronze medal.

    Popovich, second from right, assisted Brown at the 2004 Olympics

    Under head coach Mike Krzyzewski at the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan, James and the USA also had to settle for third place.

    James played at the next two Olympics in Beijing and London in 2008 and 2012, respectively, and had a major role for the Krzyzewski-led Americans in reaching the top of the podium.

    While there were some difficult moments in 2016 in Brazil, including narrow triumphs over Australia, Serbia and France in Group A, the USA also hit their stride in the knockout round and clinched a third straight Olympic title.

    The Games were the for Krzyzewski at the helm. He had announced beforehand that he was leaving the position, with USA Basketball handing the reins to Popovich.

    Before James can think of playing at the Olympics the USA will have to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. That tournament will be the qualifying event for the 2020 Olympics.

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