Wolves coach Thibodeau reconnects with Bulls' Jimmy Butler in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO – There were two prominent thoughts as the U.S. men's basketball team paraded across a stage in Rio:

• Without LeBron James, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love on the team, the Americans look more vulnerable than usual, and the team that they built might not be as good as the team that stayed behind.

• The 2020 Olympic rosters could be dotted with members of the Timberwolves. In four years Karl-Anthony Towns should be playing for the Dominican Republic, Zach LaVine or Kris Dunn could have matured into stars for the U.S., and Andrew Wiggins could be one of Canada's best players. Wiggins would have been a star for Canada this year but declined to play in the Olympics.

There are Minnesota connections here. Ricky Rubio will play for Spain, which has won the past two Olympic silver medals, and Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is an assistant coach for Mike Krzyzewski.

Thibodeau is being reunited with Bulls star Jimmy Butler, who played for Thibodeau in Chicago.

"He's been great,'' Butler said. "Everybody knows the respect I have for him and how I admire the guy, his work ethic. It's kind of like mine, to tell you the truth. It's good to be around him and hear his raspy voice. I really like that guy.''

The U.S. has won the past two Olympic golds with close victories in the final over Spain. The Americans' bronze in Athens led to a rededication of the national program and a gold in Beijing by what was termed the Redeem Team. In London, many of the same players again dominated.

There are only two holdovers from that group: Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.

The United States begins its gold medal defense against China at 5 p.m. Saturday.

"We've always heard questions about replacing star players,'' said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the Olympic program. "How are you going to replace Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, or Bill Russell? Well, then came some other people. It doesn't take long for new talent to rise to the top.

"We have a strong program and we're very proud of that. But you don't rest on that.''

Thibodeau notes that while the U.S. roster is filled with talent, the international game can be tricky. The games are 40 instead of 48 minutes, and the three-point line is a bit closer in the international game, so if an underdog can hit a lot of three-pointers early, comebacks can be difficult.

"You have a lot of great players there and everyone's in a different role,'' Thibodeau said. "So it's, how quickly can you adapt? Then once you get to the medal rounds, it's similar to the college tournament. You're one and done. How you start games can be very important.''

The NBA players willing to venture to the Olympics have taken seriously their role as ambassadors for their game and their country. "It's really become a brotherhood,'' Thibodeau said. "Coach K and Jerry have done a great job along with leadership from the team. They've restored the pride in playing for the USA.

"Our stars get it. Our league is in great shape. They represent our country well and the league well and it's a big plus for all of us.''

The All-Star format also prompts some reunions. "Thibs still has something to say every once in a while,'' Butler said. "That's good. That lets me know Thibs is still Thibs and will always continue to be Thibs. Defensive-minded, wants you to guard, but he knows his stuff. On the way here he was studying film, breaking it down, and I'm used to seeing that.''