CLEVELAND, Ohio - Asked how he was doing, "America's Coach," Gregg Popovich, walked off the basketball court at The Q after the San Antonio Spurs' shootaround Saturday and said, "He's still president, isn't he?"

The Spurs and Cavs played Saturday night in a game Popovich called a "barometer" for his team.

In a divided time, on the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, Popovich has not retracted or retreated from the criticism he made in his remarks on the day after the election.

"When you're a public figure and you say something, some people appreciate it and like it, and other people think it's awful and you should just be quiet and mind your own business," said the coach, who is universally known in basketball circles as "Pop."

"I don't worry about either reaction," Pop added. "If I feel something needs to be said and I'm passionate about it, I say it."

Popovich, whether you like his politics or not, is America's Coach because this year he takes over the U.S. National men's team from Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.

Popovich was one of Larry Brown's assistant coaches at the 2004 Olympics, the "LeBronze" team that won only the bronze medal in the summer after LeBron James' rookie year.

Coach K went to West Point, where he played for Bobby Knight. Popovich played at the Air Force Academy and later served in the military branch.

USA Basketball, Popovich's future employer, is a conservative group, politically. The right to dissent, however, is guaranteed in the First Amendment. It is buttressed in his case by the military service.

"Not a word," Popovich said when asked if he had been contacted by USA Basketball. "I've gotten positive and negative letters, emails, that sort of stuff, but nothing from anybody official, as far as basketball's concerned."

Popovich's record, including five NBA championships with the small-market Spurs, ought to be credentials enough to coach the national team.

LeBron James on Friday called Popovich "the greatest coach of all time."

"He's setting me up," said a smiling Popovich. "He owes me money. He's trying to get out of it. He's setting me up for the game. I always knew he was smart."

Saturday, Popovich was second-guessing himself for the broken finger center Paul Gasol suffered in pre-game warm-ups this week.

"As soon as Gasol was hurt, I thought, 'If Johnny Wooden was the coach, this never would have happened,'" said Popovich. "It was during a little bit of horseplay. Gasol was doing a layup, Kyle (Anderson) came over to try to screw with the shot, and (Gasol) got caught in the net and broke his finger."

Said Popovich of the late UCLA coach's meticulous preparation, "(Wooden) watched for every blister, every single thing, how to put your socks on. Why wasn't I, or somebody, out there watching? That wouldn't be a Johnny Wooden move."

Pop knows he can't be John Wooden. "I wish I could, but I curse too much. I've got to be me," he said.

When the interview ended, a questioner jokingly asked Popovich if his record would be good enough for a Cabinet post in the Trump administration.

"I can't be in the Cabinet. I didn't work for Goldman Sachs," Popovich said.