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Syracuse's Boeheim: 'Fantasy world' coaching NBAers on Team USA

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Duke's men's basketball program and head coach Mike Krzyzewski have long been a polarizing force in college basketball. One of the shots critics have leveled at Coach K was that by taking the reins of USA Basketball in 2005, he was able to get the pleasure of coaching professionals in international competitions without ever leaving the NCAA ranks.

Related: Kobe, Durant salute Coach K ahead of Team USA finale

Krzyzewski's longtime USA assistant, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, said there is nothing at all wrong with that. In fact, he said it's coaching NBA players without the headaches.

"This is really different than the NBA," Boeheim told ESPN's Marc Stein. "This is the best. This is getting the NBA players without agents, without anybody else telling them what they should do, with them willing to do exactly what we have to do to win. So it's really not coaching in the NBA. It's not even close. We know that. This is fantasy world."

Krzyzewski is set to step down as USA bench boss after Sunday's gold medal game. Boeheim has stated he will retire from Syracuse after the 2017-18 season, very likely making Rio his final Olympics as well.

"We're very grateful that we've had this opportunity," Boeheim said. "I can share that we feel very fortunate."

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