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The medal ceremony had ended, and now it was time to pose for pictures.

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Jimmy Butler put his long right arm around his former coach, Tom Thibodeau, and smiled.

“It’s a moment, man,” Butler said. “As much stuff (as we went through), as much of a love-hate relationship as we had and still have, it’s big. He was always telling me I could be a special player after my rookie season (when) he thought I was terrible, of course.

“But I’ve got love for Thibs, a lot of love for Thibs.”

Their bond is now fortified by solid gold.

The Americans trounced Serbia 96-66 to make the foregone conclusion official. Team USA is the best in the world.

Coaches don’t receive actual medals, but Thibodeau will get a replica plus a ring.

“You are tied to the group forever,” Thibodeau said. “Every time you see those guys, you feel there’s a connection there. The ring is great, but it will probably end up in a drawer somewhere.”

Thibodeau laughed, something he didn’t do often during his five seasons with the Bulls.

“It’s what it symbolizes that’s great,” he said. “The people, doing it together, for the country.”

Coach Mike Krzyzewski heaped enormous praise on Thibodeau, who served as his right-hand man during the victories. The Timberwolves’ new coach and president of basketball operations sat to Coach K’s right, barking out defensive calls and following his boss’ lead by staying seated the entire time.

“Tom is one of the great coaches on this planet,” Krzyzewski said. “To be honest, he talked to the team more than I did.”

When Carmelo Anthony heard that, he nodded.

“To have Thibs right next to me yelling, I’ve learned a lot,” Krzyzewski said. “I think the people of Minnesota are very lucky. His players will be taught the game well. One thing about Thibs, he has a great voice. I told him if you weren’t a basketball coach, you should have a radio show from midnight to 4 in the morning.”

Butler hoped to put on a show in Rio. His offensive game was mainly MIA as he averaged 5.6 points on 34.2 percent shooting.

But he did score well in the categories coaches appreciate. During one possession Sunday, he snagged two offensive rebounds and tipped a ball to Kyle Lowry, who drained a 3-pointer.

“He can play great without scoring, and he did,” Thibodeau said. “His effort plays … those are back-breakers.”

Butler becomes the 12th Bulls player to win an Olympic gold medal.

Asked if he’ll bring his medal to the United Center, Butler replied: “There’s this guy on this team named Doug McDermott. I don’t know if I can keep my gold medal around that guy. He’s from Iowa … Nah, I’ll let Doug touch the medal.”

Butler took an elbow early in the game that caused his upper lip to bleed, saying: “Messed my swag up. Now I can’t take no photos, and the honeys are not gonna look at my pictures.”

He looked all right to Bulls wing Nikola Mirotic, who earned bronze for Spain and posed with Butler for a picture on the floor.

Mirotic crowed a bit after the semifinal game, saying it was fun to guard Butler because “he didn’t make any baskets.”

On Sunday, Mirotic tweeted: “Yesterday we were opponents, today friends, tomorrow teammates in @chicagobulls Congratulations!”

Replied Butler: “I ain’t worried about Niko. He’s got to deal with me come November. I’m happy for him too; that’s a big step in his career. That’s my guy, that’s my brother. We get to be on the same team come November.”

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First Butler said he’d take a little vacation, go somewhere warm. That will give him an opportunity to reflect on a mission accomplished.

“If you’re on this team, you have to be very talented,” he said. “Everyone has a different role, but you’re here for a reason: You belong.”

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Twitter @TeddyGreenstein