In a franchise that has no time for spotlights, with a roster that has no interest in headlines, R. Logan Paulsen Falcons Jersey .C. Buford may be the very embodiment of the all-for-one San Antonio Spurs. For more than two decades he has toiled in the shadows, happy to let the attention fall on coach Gregg Popovich and the team that Buford has played such a pivotal role in assembling. He quietly -- happily -- lives in the back channels and has built a reputation as one of the most respected executives in the NBA. Yet for all his impressive work over the previous 11 years as a general manager and architect of the most enduring success story in modern American sports, Buford had never been honoured by his peers as the leagues executive of the year. Until now. Buford won the award Wednesday, and as is the custom in the Alamo City, did as much as he could to downplay his significant contributions to a team that posted the best record in the NBA. "I think its not why we do what we do," Buford said. "I think its a great honour for the group of people that have been here and have been through here that have built and an ownership group thats allowed a continuity to build a program that were proud of so to be recognized as a program that people respect by your peers, thats rewarding." That Buford had never won the award before while helping to put together a team that won four championships and has posted a staggering 15 straight 50-win seasons has been one of the great mysteries in league annals. Hes helped put the Spurs at the forefront of the international invasion, implemented a system that demands commitment and humility over recognition and individual achievement, and has been partly responsible for so many teams pilfering his staff to run front offices or teams across the league. Yet he may have finally earned the award in his 12th season as GM because of what he didnt do. In the wake of a devastating loss to Miami in the NBA Finals last season, Buford didnt panic. He didnt give up on an aging Manu Ginobili. He didnt let Tiago Splitter get lured away by big money elsewhere. He followed the Spurs creed: Stay the course. Believe in the system. Never give in to outside influence. While other teams chased huge stars and made big splashes, Buford quietly re-signed Ginobili and Splitter and added second-tier free agent Marco Belinelli. The moves werent flashy, but were exactly what the Spurs, who enter Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday night leading Portland 1-0, needed to recover from that bitter defeat. "Its pretty cool," Popovich said. "Were all excited for him; long overdue. Hes done a great job for a very long time. Were giving him the requisite amount of you-know-what all over the offices. He walks down the halls we hit the walls we hit the sides to make room for him." Buford received nine first-place votes and 58 total points to win the award. Phoenixs Ryan McDonough (47) finished second for his superb job in turning the Suns from an afterthought into a 48-win team that just missed the playoffs. Neil Olshey, who added Robin Lopez, Dorell Wright and Thomas Robinson to bolster the Trail Blazers depth and get them into the playoffs, finished third in the voting with 34 points. Torontos Masai Ujiri and Miamis Pat Riley rounded out the top five. Popovich and Buford have made the Spurs the envy of the league, assembling one of the most uniquely stable systems in professional sports built around Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Ginobili, a trio that has won three championships together and keep coming back for more. "Weve been working with each other for a long time," Popovich said. "We participate in everything. Its been a great relationship in that regard. We share everything its benefited both of us and the organization without a doubt. Just having that ability to communicate and having an owner that allows us to do that." Popovich gets more of the credit for making the Spurs machine go, and thats just fine with Buford. But most around the league, and certainly everyone in San Antonio, recognizes what a big role Buford has played in helping the Spurs avoid the teardowns that almost every franchise has endured since he and Pop took over. "You recognize how difficult that is and how fortunate weve been that an ownership group has allowed us to stay together and have the opportunity to survive through the growing pains," Buford said. "To have a group of players that have wanted to be a part of what this community of San Antonio and what our fans mean to them. To have wanted to stay with an ownership group the sacrifices that theyve made to make this a unique environment and then how theyve handled themselves that presents a platform that other players want to come join. "Again, were not in this to win an award. Were in this to try to win a championship. Thats the reward were all hoping for." Ito Smith Jersey . Gauteng High Court Judge Dunstan Mlambo ruled Tuesday that South African media houses will be allowed to install three remote controlled cameras in court for the Olympic athletes trial starting next week to capture images that likely will be seen by millions around the world. Calvin Ridley Falcons Jersey . The team announced the defensive coordinator will not be offered a contract extension. http://www.atlantafalconsfootballstore.com/authentic-deadrin-senat-falcons-jersey/ . The Detroit Tigers star had microfracture surgery Friday to repair the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee. "I dont want to say it was a surprise," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said.Gareth Southgate has made it clear he wants the England managers job on a permanent basis, Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has revealed. Southgates four-game stint in interim charge of the national team came to an end on Tuesday night when two late goals denied his side victory in a friendly against Spain. Gary Neville says Southgate should be given the job now Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Glenn reiterated that Southgate was in a strong position, but did not rule out the possibility of interviewing other candidates. Hes made it clear over the last week that hes convinced he wants the job, he said.Weve got time. Weve got until mid-March for the next match so doing the job thoroughly is very important. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price That said, Gareth is in a strong position because, not just the fact the last four games showed a lot of signs of encouragement, but the fact hes worked in the FA for the last couple of years, ran the U21s well, understands how the international set-up works. Graeme Le Saux, who is helping the FA to select the next England manager, says the selection process is important despite Southgate being the clear favourite We will have discussions with him in the coming weeks to really understand what his learnings are and what his ambition for the England team is. Brandon Fusco Jersey. Asked about interviewing other candidates, Glenn said: Potentially. Why would I say anything definite? Its an interview process and we have to be discreet. New QPR manager Ian Holloway doesnt hold back when hes asked about the England managers job. Holloway calls it as he sees it in his own unique style Had we lost to Scotland, Gareth would still be a strong contender for the job, you cant pick a manager on the basis of 90 minutes or 180 minutes.Weve been impressed with Gareth for a while. Its a credit to the FA that we seamlessly moved Gareth into the role. We have succession. 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