Spurs' Gregg Popovich to coach West in NBA All-Star Game

SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called it "pretty humbling" to be named as coach of the West All-Stars on Wednesday, despite the Warriors holding the conference's top record.

Popovich will coach the West team for the fourth time in his career because Warriors coach Steve Kerr is ineligible to lead the team because he coached it last year.

"Well, everybody looks forward to the All-Star break for a variety of reasons," Popovich said. "But in my case, it's a pretty awesome feeling to know that you're going to be in the locker room with some of the best athletes in the world, and it's pretty humbling. So it's kind of cool."

Luke Walton coached the Warriors on an interim basis for the majority of the season before Kerr returned last week from back surgery. Because Walton served as the interim coach, his victories actually went to Kerr, who because of league rules won't be allowed to coach in two consecutive All-Star games.

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 Feb. 14 game in Toronto.

"Would've, should've, would've," Popovich said when asked whether Walton should have been named the West's coach. "I don't do should've-would've."

Tyronn Lue, who replaced the fired David Blatt as the Cleveland Cavaliers' coach last week, will lead the East team.