Popovich to coach Western Conference All-Stars

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will coach the Western Conference All-Star team in Toronto next month.

Normally, the coach with the best record from each conference as of two weeks prior to the All-Star Game is elected, however, the Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr is ineligible to coach in consecutive seasons. The 38-7 Spurs are guaranteed to rank second in the West as of Jan. 31, meaning Popovich is next in line.

Popovich has led the West on three separate occurrences, going 2-1. His fourth selection ties him for fifth all-time, but still seven behind Boston Celtics great Red Auerbach.

Popovich is already guaranteed to have one of his own players in the contest, with Kawhi Leonard narrowly edging out Zaza Pachulia last week. However, the San Antonio bench boss has never played a Spurs player more than 22 minutes in an All-Star Game and likely won't stray from that strategy come February.