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Even as Mike Krzyzewski ruled out a return as coach of the U.S. men's basketball team, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo remained patient. "What I've said along is, with what he has contributed to the USA Basketball program and what's he accomplished and what he means to it, he was entitled to be given the time to make a final decision," Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports. "Time has worked to our mutual advantage." Now, Krzyzewski is close to committing to another three-plus years with the men's team, which includes the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. "Within a few days, we're going to know for sure," Colangelo said. "It's pretty evident by some of the things he said – where at one time there was no shot he would return, it's a long way from that now." USA Today Sports

Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Marcus Thompson: Bob Myers said he is hoping Harrison Barnes gets invited to Team USA Twitter @gswscribe

Golden State Warriors, USA Basketball, Team USA, Harrison Barnes, Bob Myers 

Shane Battier wouldn't be surprised if Mike Krzyzewski, his coach at Duke, comes back to coach at 3rd Olympics. “No,'' Battier said about not being surprised. "He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around. That’s what makes him great. And so it’s not surprising me at all to hear that he has interest. Every athlete, every person who’s done this at a high level, after they step away from a really trying time, a really emotional time, says, ‘It’s too much. I can’t climb that mountain again.’ But if you’re far away enough from that mountain, you start that jones, that itch. So it’s not surprising at all.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Coaching, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski, Shane Battier 

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski acknowledged in a phone interview Saturday that he's in discussions to return as head coach of USA Basketball through the 2016 Olympics. "There's a chance," Krzyzewski said. "That's correct." Krzyzewski said he hasn't made a final decision, but his openness to the position represents a significant change. For eight months, Krzyzewski has maintained he's not returning as USA Basketball's head coach. SI.com

USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

On Saturday, Krzyzewski said he and USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo have been talking about his return "quite a bit." Colangelo said Saturday he and Krzyzewski have been discussing his return "in installments." "I think it's very close to being resolved," Colangelo said. "That's all I can say for sure." He added: "Give it another week and it should be resolved." SI.com

Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski 

Colangelo planned on naming a coach by the start of the calendar year, but deviated from that plan in an attempt to convince Krzyzewski to come back. (He did not want to bother him during Duke's season.) A coach needs to be in place by the first USA basketball minicamp in July. Colangelo said he hasn't approached any other candidates. (The candidates widely speculated were Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins.) "I would never do that," Colangelo said about talking to other candidates. "I've said that from the beginning, for what he's invested in USA Basketball, he's entitled to make his decision before anyone." SI.com

Doc Rivers, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski, Doug Collins 

Colangelo said there would likely be changes to the USA Basketball staff if Krzyzewski did return. The 2012 staff included Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan and Syracuse Orange coach Jim Boeheim. Colangelo said it's likely Boeheim would again be part of the staff if Krzyzewski returned. SI.com

Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Nate McMillan, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim 

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has accepted Team USA Men's Basketball National Team mini camp invite, his agent Eric Goodwin informed CSNNW.com. Director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo told CSNNW.com in late February that he had his eyes on Lillard as a participant candidate, but added that he hadn't decided yet. Colangelo eventually did reach out to the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year and he got a commitment. “I just can't wait to go be a part of it,” Lillard said. “I'm going to go out there and try to prove something.” CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, USA Basketball, Team USA, Damian Lillard 

When the Americans were coming off a 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing, none of the players on that team wanted to return for the World Cup. But Iguodala wants to be involved with as much Team USA basketball as possible. “I would really like to do both,’’ Iguodala said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida about the 2014 World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “I had a great time (with USA Basketball in previous events). It’s been one of the best basketball experiences of my life, just being around those guys, having fun and enjoying the game of basketball.’’ FOXSports Florida

Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala, USA Basketball 

So, there's this job opening. Team USA is looking for a new head coach. Pop should get it because, in my opinion, he's the best coach alive. "I hope he gets the USA job," Karl said. "I think he wants it. He's a military guy who, I think, brings a dignity to representing the United States, and he's also earned the respect of the basketball world." Denver Post

George Karl, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Jerry Colangelo, then the director of USA Basketball, had replica Olympic gold medals crafted for each of the 2008 team's coaches. "Dad," Chris said, surrounded by lifelong friends and family, "I have something for you." He draped his gold medal around his father's neck "This is yours," he said. "It's 37 years too late. But it's yours." USA Today Sports

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Doug Collins 

Doug Collins is endorsing Spurs coach Gregg Popovich or Celtics coach Doc Rivers to be Team USA coach. “My feeling is the two guys who should be in the mix are Pop and Doc,’’ Collins said. “I think those two guys, what they’ve done. Pop, the years he’s put in, what he’s done and plus he has a military background a lot like Coach K, and what he’s done in San Antonio. And then I think Doc. “Those two guys are the cream of the crop. They’ve won championships.'' Sulia

Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA, Doug Collins 

Griffin said he wants to play for the U.S. in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Griffin, who will be 24 on March 16, was unable to play on the gold medal-winning 2012 team in London because he suffered a left knee injury during a U.S. team practice that required surgery. "Yeah, absolutely, it's something that I want to do," Griffin said. "Obviously it's a great honor. I was really looking forward to playing last year. It was very disappointing not being able to be there. I kind of turned my sights to getting back healthy. So my next goal for that is 2016." Los Angeles Times

Blake Griffin, USA Basketball, Brazil 

Griffin said he hasn't been approached recently by anyone from the USA Basketball, but figures it will happen soon. "They talked about it last summer when I got hurt, about me coming back and being involved in the process over the next four summers," Griffin said. Los Angeles Times

Blake Griffin, USA Basketball, Brazil 

Doug Collins is throwing his name in the mix to be an Olympic coach. But not as the head coach, as an assistant coach. “I’d be thrilled if they’d let me be an assistant coach,’’ Collins told FOX Sports Florida on Friday night before his Philadelphia 76ers faced the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. FOXSports Florida

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, USA Basketball, Doug Collins 

“My feeling is the two guys who should be in the mix are Pop and Doc,’’ said Collins, whose 76ers play at Orlando on Sunday. “I think those two guys, what they’ve done. Pop, the years he’s put in, what he’s done and plus he has a military background a lot like Coach K, and what he’s done in San Antonio. And then I think Doc.’’ FOXSports Florida

Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Doug Collins 

Griffin said he wants to play for the U.S. in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Griffin, who will be 24 on March 16, was unable to play on the gold medal-winning 2012 team in London because he suffered a left knee injury during a U.S. team practice that required surgery. "Yeah, absolutely, it's something that I want to do," Griffin said. "Obviously it's a great honor. I was really looking forward to playing last year. It was very disappointing not being able to be there. I kind of turned my sights to getting back healthy. So my next goal for that is 2016." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, USA Basketball, Olympics 

Griffin said he hasn't been approached recently by anyone from the USA Basketball, but figures it will happen soon. "They talked about it last summer when I got hurt, about me coming back and being involved in the process over the next four summers," Griffin said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, USA Basketball, Olympics 

It's probably too close to call this far out, but the early sense from those in the USA Basketball know give Celtics coach Doc Rivers some legit hope of edging out Spurs counterpart Gregg Popovich if, as it increasingly appears, USAB executive director Jerry Colangelo is forced to look for a successor to Mike Krzyzewski this summer. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Dwight Howard won't ever publicly divulge whether he will re-sign with the Lakers this offseason until that moment comes. But he sounded certain on whether he wants to play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "No doubt," he said. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard, USA Basketball, Olympics