Spurs GM R.C. Buford wins first NBA Executive of the Year award

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford both earned hardware for the Spurs' successful season. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images) San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C.

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford both earned hardware for the Spurs' successful season. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has been named the 2013-2014 NBA Executive of the Year.

Buford, who has led the Spurs to three championships as the team's GM, won the award for the first time. San Antonio compiled an NBA-best 62-20 record -- winning at least 50 games for the 15th consecutive season -- despite not having a single player average 30 minutes or finish in the top 10 in MVP voting. Instead, Buford constructed a balanced, deep roster that ranked in the top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency.

RELATED: Spurs' Popovich named NBA's Coach of the Year

After a disappointing loss in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, many skeptics believed that the veteran Spurs would take a step back this season. But Buford's ability to add supporting pieces like Marco Belinelli and re-sign Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili was enough to sustain the Spurs' top-level success.

Buford received nine first-place votes from a panel of team executives and finished ahead of Phoenix's Ryan McDonough and Portland's Neil Olshey. Here's the complete voting:

MAHONEY: Spurs clobber Blazers, take 1-0 lead in West semis

This season marked Buford's 23rd with the Spurs and his 12th as general manager.

More SI.com NBA playoff coverage

2014 NBA playoffs schedule, results | Series predictions| Season awards

PREVIEWS: Pacers-Wizards | Heat-Nets | Spurs-Blazers | Thunder-Clippers

ROUNDTABLE:Best matchup of the second round? | Biggest disappointment 

WATCH: Relive the best moments from the first round | Lillard’s series-winner

STERLING COVERAGE: Sterling, NBA set for epic legal battle | Impact on Clips?

PHOTOS: Greatest upsets | NBA playoffs fashion| Anti-Sterling signs, shirts