San Antonio Spurs GM R.C. Buford named NBA Executive of the Year

Portland Trail Blazers' Robin Lopez (42) and Nicolas Batum (88) battle with San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (21) for a rebound during the first half of Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series, Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (The Associated Press)

San Antonio Spurs' Boris Diaw (33), of France, and Manu Ginobili (20), of Argentina, celebrate during the first half of Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (The Associated Press)

San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has been named the NBA's Executive of the Year for the first time in his well-respected, under-the-radar career.

The NBA announced the honor Wednesday, one day after the Spurs dominated Portland in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Buford is highly regarded by his peers, but his low-key approach has likely contributed to being overlooked during awards season.

In his 12th season as GM, Buford re-signed Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter and signed Marco Belinelli as a free agent to help the Spurs win a league-best 62 games in the regular season.

Phoenix's Ryan McDonough finished second and Portland's Neil Olshey third in the voting.