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LeBron expresses desire to play for Popovich at Tokyo 2020

REUTERS/Tami Chappell

The past fornight of global athletic competition appears to have given LeBron James a case of Olympic fever.

After stressing this week that his Team USA career is not necessarily over, The King opened the door for Tokyo 2020 further when he vocalized his desire to play for coach Gregg Popovich.

"It would be pretty amazing to be able to actually play for the greatest NBA coach of all time," LeBron told USA Today's Sam Amick.

Popovich is set to take over the reins of USA Basketball's men's Olympic and World Cup program with the departure of Mike Krzyzewski after Rio.

"First off all Coach K and Gregg Popovich are two my favorites of all time," James said. "To be able to play for Coach K in the Olympics and world championships and to be able to go against Coach Pop in the NBA, it would be a treat."

James has played in three Summer Games, and won two gold medals under Krzyzewski. When Tokyo rolls around in four years he'll be 35, which would make him the oldest American men's Olympic basketball team member since Jason Kidd in 2008.

"Obviously my body has to continue to be in the form that it is today four years from now," James said.

James, who is now signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers through 2018-19, saw both Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant pass him this week in all-time USA Olympic scoring.

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