Spurs’ Popovich to coach West in NBA All-Star Game

Now, in a longer play that started with Kerr coming back before the Warriors played the Pacers on Friday, we officially know that Gregg Popovich will have to coach the fourth All-Star Game of his career.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich yells at players on the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors won 120-90. “So it’s kind of cool”.

Usually, the coach of the team with the best record in each conference two weeks prior to the game is named the All-Star coach.

No head coach is allowed to coach the All Star Game in consecutive years, which made Steve Kerr ineligible for this year’s duties as the head coach of the western conference’s best team.

Kerr, however, missed the season’s first 43 games while recovering from offseason back surgery, leaving the Warriors in the hands of interim coach Luke Walton.

Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News on Sunday that he was “impressed” by Walton’s calm demeanor while filling in for Kerr.

“I have no idea”, said Popovich.

The NBA had said it would review its policy to determine whether Walton would be eligible to coach the West team, before tabbing Popovich as the coach Wednesday for the February 14 game in Toronto.

This will be Pop’s fourth time coaching at the midseason showcase.