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

Of course, Pop did it with his customary dose of snark – and immediately after his San Antonio Spurs were routed by the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

It was the type of feel-good victory San Antonio needed after a crushing loss to Golden State in what was supposed to be a showdown between the league’s two best teams. The pace slowed a bit through the rest of the quarter and San Antonio led 35-29 after scoring its most points in the first quarter this season. James Harden had 35 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Rockets.

“My opening comment here will be that I’m just glad my general manager wasn’t in the locker room, ” he told reporters after the game. “It’s not anything about the game”. It was like men and boys out there tonight I thought as far as the toughness and the aggressiveness out there was concerned in every facet of the game. “It had nothing to do with that game”. The reigning MVP is also shooting 51-percent from the floor overall and 45.1 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-10 center gained some revenge when he raced downcourt following a missed free throw to block Green’s layup with a second remaining in the first quarter.

“You know it’s a hell of a team, really disappointed”, Popovich said, via USA Today.

“When he’s ready, he’s ready, ” Popovich said.

The Houston Rockets (25-22) are coming from a 112-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on January 25.

Rockets: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.

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