Spurs GM Buford wins Executive of the Year

San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford is the NBA's Executive of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.

Buford's roster featured six players averaging double figures in scoring, and his team owned the league's best record at 62-20. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was named Coach of the Year for the third time in his career last month.

The Spurs were the only team to record 30-plus wins at home (32-9) and on the road (30-11), and tallied a 15th consecutive season with 50-plus wins for an NBA record.

“I’m extremely happy for RC Buford to have won this award, which is both absolutely deserved and long overdue,” Popovich said in a team release. 

“His knowledge of the rules, basketball expertise and keen eye for talent have served the Spurs organization well for a very long time. It has been a personal pleasure to be at his side during this period.”

Buford is in his 12th season as general manager and his 23rd with the San Antonio organization. He's the third Spurs executive to take the honor after Bob Bass (1989-90) and Angelo Drossos (1978-79).