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USA Basketball announced on Friday that Popovich, who has led
the Spurs to five NBA titles, will take over starting with 2017
training camp and lead the Americans into the 2019 Basketball
World Cup in China and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, assuming U.S.
qualification.
Krzyzewski, who is Duke's head coach, is planning to step down
after the Rio 2016 Games. Coach K led the USA to Olympic gold
medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London.
Popovich, 66, was the choice of USA Basketball chairman Jerry
Colangelo. Krzyzewski will stay on as a special adviser to
Colangelo for the 2017-2020 period.
Popovich was a U.S. assistant in the 2002 world championships
and 2004 Olympics. Popovich owns a 1,022-470 all-time
regular-season coaching record. He has been the NBA's Coach of
the Year three times (2003, 2012, 2014).
Krzyzewski, who won his fifth NCAA national title with Duke in
April, also won the 2010 world championship and the 2014 World
Cup. He has a 75-1 record since he was hired by Colangelo in
2005.
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Cleveland forward LeBron James remains idle due to a sore back
and there are doubts he will be ready when the Cavaliers open
the NBA season on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls.
James has not practiced since Oct. 13, when he received an
anti-inflammatory injection in his back but the four-time MVP
remains hopeful he will be on the court for the opener despite
the fact he has not been cleared by the team's medical staff.
"If everything goes right," James told reporters in reference to
whether he will play. "We feel like we're progressing really
well and if we can continue to do that, then I'm optimistic that
I'll be able to go."
Cleveland trimmed its roster to 16 by waiving forward Austin
Daye, guard/forward D.J. Stephens, guard Dionte Christmas and
forward Jack Cooley.
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The Golden State Warriors waived guard Chris Babb,
guards/forwards Jarell Eddie and Xavier Henry and forward Chris
Udofia.
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The Detroit Pistons waived forward Cartier Martin, guard/forward
Adonis Thomas and center Jordan Bachynski.
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The Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Jonathan Holmes.
Holmes, an undrafted rookie out of the University of Texas, was
originally signed by the Lakers on Aug. 13. He appeared in two
preseason games, averaging two points and three rebounds in 7.5
minutes.
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The Charlotte Hornets waived forward Sam Thompson, center Jason
Washburn, guard/forward Damien Wilkins and guard Elliot
Williams.
- - - (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
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