Meister der Farbe » a full F1 return. And despite his relativ

LAS VEGAS -- Mike Krzyzewski is working with his team when suddenly Gregg Popovich enters the gym with his own guys looking to play ball.Krzyzewski vs. Popovich. Five-time NCAA champion vs. five-time NBA champion. Its a mega matchup that would look good on one of the giant marquees that light up Las Vegas.Except this is just practice for the 2016 Olympics.And for 2020.While Krzyzewski readies the Americans for Rio, Popovich is getting an early start on his own Olympic preparations. The San Antonio Spurs coach is overseeing the Select Team of young players training against the U.S. this week, and some of those players might be in the mix when Popovich coaches the Americans in Tokyo.Hes seen what were doing and its called succession, Krzyzewski said. The fact that were both military guys, we understand that I have the unit right now, hes going to take command of the unit, and we both want the unit to do well.During practices this week, Popovich works with the young players in one part of UNLVs basketball complex while Krzyzewski and his staff put the national team through drills in another. Eventually, the Select Team heads into the main gym for scrimmaging.But Popovich isnt just here to help the young guys. Hes basically a behind-the-scenes assistant for Krzyzewski.Pop is in all the meetings, hes participating and this is giving him a feel for how we do things, and so its a seamless transition, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.Thats what Colangelo had in mind when he announced Popovichs hiring in October. That allowed Popovich to become a part of the program before he inherits it.I get to spend time with Coach K and Mr. Colangelo and pick their brains, see how they operate, see what works, Popovich said. If I learn from them it makes it a lot easier and smoother for me when I end up doing this, so watching them operate is a huge advantage for me in that sense.Krzyzewski is ending his run after Rio, one that started when Colangelo chose the Duke coach over Popovich when he started the national team program in 2005. There was some anger after, as Popovich -- an Air Force Academy graduate -- felt Colangelo mischaracterized his interest in his national teams job when explaining the choice to the media.They met last summer in Carmel, California, to clear the air about the past and start laying out the future. Colangelo offered Popovich the job, which he soon accepted as long as Colangelo agreed to stay on for four more years.But before Popovich gets to coach the All-Stars, hes got the future stars.The Select Team is made up of young NBA players and serves as a way to get into the USA Basketball pipeline. Thats how 10 of the 12 members of this Olympic team got their start, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in particular using their stints as springboards to stardom.There are 25 players on this years roster, some a few years into the NBA and others just a few months out of college, such as No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram. Being invited this week means they have talent, and a few days under Popovich can only make them better.Honestly, Coach Pop, hes saying a lot of things Ive heard from my coaches before, but when you hear it from Coach Pop it sticks in that much more, Phoenix Suns All-Rookie selection Devin Booker said.But Popovich is doing more than working with the younger guys. Hes making his mark on this years team, which has some players who have never suited up for Krzyzewski, by providing his knowledge about them.Popovich will lead the Americans in the 2019 Basketball World Cup and then the Tokyo Games. He was an assistant to Larry Brown at the 2004 Olympics, when a hastily assembled U.S. team lost three times in a third-place finish, so hes seen what happened to unprepared teams before Colangelo and Krzyzewski overhauled the program.Now hes got four years to get ready.Theyve changed this whole thing since 2004, when it was a debacle, Popovich said. Now its this, and Id be ignorant if I didnt try to figure out everything that theyve done to make it like this.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Qadry Ismail Jersey . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Vinny Testaverde Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-javorius-allen-jersey-large-523d.html . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Justice Hill Jersey . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Jason Brookins Jersey . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net.Kevin Magnussen says he is returning to F1 with a point to prove after being officially confirmed as a driver for Renaults new works team in 2016. As expected, the 23-year-old former McLaren driver was unveiled alongside Briton Jolyon Palmer at Renaults launch event in Paris on Wednesday, after Pastor Maldonados contract was ended when the Venezuelans backers fell behind with payments.Magnussen had been facing at least a year in the F1 wilderness after being dropped as reserve driver by McLaren at the end of last season. However, the Dane is now delighted to be back on the grid - particularly with such an established F1 manufacturer. Its come out of the blue a little bit, its been a bit of a surprise to be back with such a strong company, but I cant wait to get back in the car, Magnussen told Sky Sports News HQ.Its an incredible feeling and it means so much. Its not only a Formula 1 drive but its a top drive. Renault Sport will be fighting for world championships in the future, it might have a build-up phase, but theyre here to win and thats a goal I share. I cant believe Im now a part of it. Magnussen joined new team-mate Jolyon Palmer to pull the wraps off Renaults 2016 car Having originally joined McLarens young driver programme in 2010, Magnussen was promoted to a race seat in 2014 and made a spectacular start to his F1 career when he finished second at his first race in Australia - the best result for a debutant in 18 years.However, the youngsters form proved inconsistent thereafter and he finished the year with less than half of team-mate Jenson Buttons points, although the pair were more closely matched in qualifying. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here. The arrival of Fernando Alonso meant Magnussen dropped down to a reserve role for 2015, and although he did fill in for a recuperating Spaniard at the first race in Australia, his car broke down on the way to the grid and he did not take the start.With GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne also on their books, McLaren decided not to renew Magnussens contract - delivering the news to the Dane via email on his birthday.Hopefully Ill prove many points. Im extremely motivated after a whole year away, he said. Magnussen finished second on his F1 debut in Melbourne in 2014 - the best debut result since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 Ive been sitting on the sidelline during the races for so many weekends and Im hungry to come back and prove my worth.ddddddddddddIve raced my whole life and Im extremely hungry and keen to get in a race car again and even more so with Renault Sport!Although Magnussen has not raced since November 2014, he believes the fitness training he was able to complete throughout last year means he is physically ready for a full F1 return. And despite his relative youth, he reckons he has a lot to offer Renault.I have a lot to give, he added. Ive been connected to a top Formula 1 team for five years and three of those were in Formula 1 in driving and testing capacities. Despite just one season racing, Ive got good experience. I cant wait to get started at a great project such as a Renault factory team. Im pleased to be a part of it.Not many drivers get a second chance in F1. I was looking at other things because there was a chance I would not be back in F1. Looking back at that compared where Ive ended up is pretty cool. I have to thank Renault for giving me this opportunity. Kevin Magnussens F1 record Grand Prix appearances 20 Race starts 19 Podiums 1 Points finishes 12 Best result 2nd (2014 Australian GP) Best qualifying 4th (x2) Best championship finish 11th, 55 points (2014) The first Barcelona test starts on Monday February 22 and the Sky Sports F1 Digital team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk on all four days of both Barcelona tests while Sky Sports News HQ will also deliver live updates from trackside. Also See: Renault launch 2016 car Maldonado leaves Renault and F1 ' ' '