Gregg Popovich has won five NBA titles as the head coach of the Spurs.
He's been named NBA Coach of the Year three times.
He's widely considered the best coach in the NBA.
Yet he can't stop admiring the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.
[POOLE: NBA awards at the All-Star break]
"I've spent more time thinking about Golden State than I have any other team I've ever thought about in my whole career," Popovich told ESPN Radio on Friday. "Because they are really fun. I'd go buy a ticket and go watch them play. And when I see them move the ball, I get very envious. When I see them shoot uncontested shots more than anybody else in the league, it's inspiring. It's just great basketball."
The Warriors (48-4) are off to the best start in NBA history.
Amazingly, they only lead the Spurs (45-8) by 3.5 games for the top spot in the Western Conference.
On Jan. 25, Golden State clobbered San Antonio, 120-90.
"I'm actually enjoying them very much. You try to solve them, but they're in a sense unsolvable because it's a particular mix of talent that they have," Popovich explained. "It's not just that Steph [Curry] can make shots or that Klay can make shots or that Draymond Green is versatile. Everybody on the court can pass, catch and shoot. And they all get it."
[REWIND: Popovich: 'No idea' how Spurs can counter Warriors' speed]
The Warriors lead the league in points (115.5), assists (29.2) and 3-point percentage (42.4).
They are second in defensive rating (99.2), trailing only Popovich's Spurs (95.2).
"They're for real," Popovich said. "They're talented. But they're also very, very smart."
The Warriors host the Spurs again on April 7, and play in San Antonio on March 19 and April 10.
