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In a franchise that has no time for spotlights, with a roster that has no interest in headlines, R. Adidas Originals Superstar 2 unisex .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." New Balance 574 Donna .Y. - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday night its up to a neutral arbiter to decide whether he should testify during an appeal of Ray Rices indefinite suspension. Adidas Originals Superstar 2 Uomo .m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE — Vikings by 2 1/2RECORD VS.BARCELONA, Spain -- Malaga defender Weligton scored a header deep in injury time to snatch a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Friday, ending a two-game losing streak for Bernd Schusters side in the Spanish League. The Brazilian muscled by his marker to head a last-gasp corner kick into the net four minutes into stoppage time and ruin what would have equaled Villarreals best ever start through 15 rounds. Also, Getafe beat visiting Levante 1-0 thanks to Pedro Leons second-half goal to end a three-game winless run and provisionally rise into sixth place. Villarreals draw left it in fourth place and in the final Champions League spot. Athletic Bilbao can pass Villarreal if it can find a way to deal Barcelona its first league loss on Sunday. Malaga edged two points above the relegation zone before the rest of the fixtures this round. "When you dont win, it becomes a burden for the team," Weligton said. "But the team is united and the result was fair considering the effort we put into it." Villarreal went ahead in the 32nd when Bruno Soriano volleyed Ruben "Cani" Gracias low cross into the far side of the net. But Malaga stifled the hosts normally vibrant attack until its final push paid off. Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos returned for Villarreal after missing the last two games with a muscle injury to his left leg. He showed his hasnt lost hiis speed when he raced to the end line and sent in a dangerous cross late. New Balance 574. Levante established the slow tempo that favoured its defensive style in the first half that saw no clear chances from either side, leading to the sparse crowd at the Alonso Perez Coliseum jeering both sides as they walked off the pitch. Levante threatened soon after the break but Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Moya saved Simao Mates header in the 51st before Jordi Xumetra volleyed Papakouly Diops lofted pass wide. Getafe showed more verve in attack and broke through when Simaos attempt to clear the ball hit another player, with the ball falling for Leon to blast it in off the upright. Getafes win came six days after losing 7-0 to Atletico Madrid. "We know that this wasnt our best game," said Leon. "But these are three important points after the big setback we suffered last week. Being Getafe, we are having a good season." It was Levantes fourth straight loss and, depending on the rounds other results to come, it could slip close to the drop zone. On Saturday, Atletico and Real Madrid will try to put pressure on Barcelona with their respective games against Elche and Valladolid. Also, Real Sociedad visits Espanyol while Celta Vigo hosts Almeria. Elsewhere on Sunday, its: Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano, Granada vs. Sevilla, and Valencia vs. Osasuna. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap soccer jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china ' ' '