SPURS' `POP' IS THE TOPS.(SPORTS)

Byline: Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO -- Gregg Popovich won the NBA Coach of the Year award Monday for leading the San Antonio Spurs to the league's best record.

Popovich, the first Spurs coach to win the award, received 40 out of a possible 121 first-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Golden State Warriors coach Eric Musselman was second with 26 first-place votes, and Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was third with 18.

The Spurs went 60-22 and won their third straight Midwest Division title under Popovich, who became coach in December 1996.

Popovich credited his staff and players for the award.

…