R.C. Buford Named 2015-16 NBA Executive of the Year: Latest Comments, Reaction
San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2015-16 season on Monday.
Chris Mannix of The Vertical reported the news of Buford's accolade, and the Miami Herald's Ethan J. Skolnick confirmed the report.
Buford also won the award in 2013-14 when the Spurs won their fifth championship. His work ahead of this season helped land All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency. Aldridge was instrumental to San Antonio's success as it notched a franchise-best record of 67-15.
ESPN's Marc J. Spears released the full voting tally, as Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers finished a rather close second and received more first-place votes than Buford:
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Buford cast his own vote for Olshey, whose Blazers wildly exceeded expectations and are still alive in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Only the Golden State Warriors' unprecedented 73-win season overshadowed San Antonio's magnificent 2015-16 campaign. Warriors GM Bob Myers was perceived to be among the top three executives as a result.
The Spurs have been as consistent a model of success as any major sports franchise, and Buford's eye for talent has a lot to do with that.
After serving as the team president, Buford took his current post in 2002. He's overseen the epic careers of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who have served as San Antonio's veteran foundation.
But Buford has also positioned the Spurs well for the future by making an epic draft-night trade in 2011 to land eventual NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, one of the game's elite two-way players. Between Leonard and Aldridge, San Antonio has two cornerstones to build around once Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are finished.
The Spurs have considerable depth as well thanks to Buford, whose relationship with coach Gregg Popovich has produced a well-oiled machine. Since Duncan began playing in 1997-98, the team hasn't missed the playoffs.
