If the suffocating defense of USA’s “Redeem Team” looks familiar to Portland Trail Blazer fans, the reason is simple.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan is the Assistant Coach for Team USA, and has been instilling the same kind of aggressive, team defense his Blazers are known for.

The greatest players in the world have strong praise for Portland’s coach. “He’s one of the best coaches I’ve seen,” says Kobe Bryant.

“He’s no nonsense. He’s straight to the point, he’s very defensive minded.” Bryant says Portland fans are lucky: “I think the fans up in Portland should feel very confident about the team that they have up there, because they have a coach who’s not going to let them slip, and they’re going to be dangerous.”

“Nate’s strength when he played was defense, adds Jason Kidd. “And this team definitely has his characteristics of playing defense and having fun playing defense.”

Slideshow: Nate coaching at Olympics

For McMillan, the chance to coach the greatest players on the biggest stage has been amazing. “It’s a challenge, and a great opportunity to get a chance to work with the best athletes in the world,” says McMillan. “These guys are like rock stars over here.”

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Nate McMillan coaching Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Stars like LeBron James have similar praise for McMillan.

“The Trail Blazers definitely have a great coach in Nate, and they have a very good team, and Nate is a catalyst for it,” says James. “I’m happy I’m able to play this whole summer with him.”

After embarrassing results and behavior by NBA stars at previous Olympics, both coach and players know what’s at stake in Beijing.

“We talk about being world champions when you win the NBA title,” says McMillan, “but this is truly the world championship when you compete against the world and you bring home the gold.”

“It’s just an unbelievable opportunity, and you are on the biggest stage in the world, says McMillan who, like his players, has one color on his mind: “I hope it is gold! I hope it’s the gold medal.”