San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (L) talks to Tony Parker (C) and Manu Ginobili during the first half of their NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Texas, January 19, 2011. REUTERS

NEW YORK, Jan 25 - The San Antonio Spurs' sparkling start to the season has earned Gregg Popovich the Western Conference coaching job in the Feb. 20 All-Star Game, the NBA said on Tuesday.

The honor goes to the coach whose team leads the conference on Feb. 6 and the Spurs, off to a 38-7 start, cannot be overtaken for top spot, the NBA said in a news release.

The Spurs are six games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.

Popovich, in his 15th season as a head coach, is one of only five NBA coaches to win at least four league titles. The Spurs won NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

The Eastern Conference coach is still to be determined. The Boston Celtics lead the Miami Heat by 2-1/2 games.