By Marc Thaler
Sports Editor

Consider him USA basketball 's human equivalent to the National Basketball Association's dress code.

Unquestionably The Man in a land among young men, he'll be taking over a specific star-studded team in 2008 with clearcut intentions: To clean up the image of this country's Olympic hoops program.

The Man is Duke University men's head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, owner of three Division I-A national championships and the wizardlike talent to motivate molasses into picking up its pace.

Less than three years from now, eyeballs around the globe will see if Coach K can wave his wand and work his magic on some of the wealthiest athletes in the world.

Considering the '04 USA team, with names like Tim Duncan, Lebron James and Allen Iverson, had an embarrassing bronze-medal finish in Athens, Greece, Coach K's task of taking USA hoops back to the top is daunting.

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Internationally, basketball is played differently; a big difference being the consistent use of zone defense – a dragon the last Olympic team proved it couldn't slay.

Still, the most compelling storyline involving Coach K taking this job has less to do with deciding how best to break down opposing defenses. It has to do with which players are selected to represent the United States.

And dealing with the egos those athletes possess.

In the college game, players buy into Krzyzewski's philosophy. That might not sound like much because coaches hold all the power in college. But considering Duke's roster is annually a “Who's Who?” of McDonald's All-Americans, that's pretty impressive.

Yes, even in college, young amateur athletes who've grown up being touted in their towns as The Next Big Thing have enormous egos. Still, helping topflight talents realize winning isn't the result of one player's efforts is critical.

Coach K does this every year. Now he'll have to do the same thing on an even bigger stage.

The best way to provide results, whether the players come from the professional ranks or college hoops' premiere programs, is to appeal to every athlete's sense of pride.

If there's one thing athletes are quick to protect, it's their dignity. They demand respect like it's a perk that can be written into a mega-million dollar contract.

Currently, we're in an era where millions of fans are turned off by young men with millions to burn. That said, is there a better way for athletes to earn warranted adulation than by helping USA hoops – no pun intended – rebound from previous failures?

It's also worth noting that Krzyzewski is putting his remarkable reputation on the line, too. The willingness to accept this challenge makes him a winner – compared to highprofile types who've posted wins.

To find the best example of that difference, look no further than the coaches of the '04 and '08 squads.

Larry Brown, the last USA head coach, won titles in college and the pros. But he wears out his welcome wherever he turns up. That's a product of his attitude. He might know how to draw up great plays, but he only looks out for himself.

Coach K commits himself to his players and the cause. And as the coach goes, so does the talent.

Although he's never coached in the NBA, Krzyzewski is the right man for this job. Besides, it's not like the '08 team can do any worse than its predecessors.

Well, that's not true. The next Olympic team could do much worse. It might not win a medal at all. In that case, Coach K could just point the finger at the previous coaches, players and NBA executives, who put the USA program in such a bad spot.

But Coach K wouldn't do that, either. Great coaches, like Krzyzewski, don't dwell on why problems exists. They use their exceptional teaching skills to fix them.