NBA
Spurs’ R.C. Buford steps from shadows into spotlight
In a franchise that has no time for spotlights, with a roster that has no interest in headlines, R.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 head 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 never had been honored by his peers as the league’s executive of the year.
Until now.
Buford received nine first-place votes and 58 total points to win the award. Phoenix’s 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 of the Trail Blazers finished third in the voting with 34 points. Toronto’s Masai Ujiri and Miami’s Pat Riley rounded out the top five.
NFL
Seahawks sign Sherman to a rich four-year extension
RENTON, Wash. – Richard Sherman finally got his moment of being a top pick.
He stood on the stage with spotlights beaming directly on his bow tie. With the coach on one side and general manager on the other, Sherman held up a Seattle Seahawks jersey with his name across the back.
When Sherman entered the NFL as a fifth-rounder, there was no fanfare. That all came Wednesday as Sherman became the latest piece of the Super Bowl champions to be locked up for the long term.
“I guess this is how it feels to be a first-rounder,” Sherman said after signing a four-year contract extension with the Seahawks that will make him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in NFL history.
The two-time, first-team All-Pro selection said the deal will pay him $57.4 million, with $40 million guaranteed and will keep him in a Seahawks’ uniform through the 2018 season. The deal includes a reported $11-million signing bonus.
NHL
Hextall gets his ‘dream job’ with the Philadelphia Flyers
PHILADELPHIA – Ron Hextall got his “dream job.”
Hextall was promoted to general manager by the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday to replace Paul Holmgren, who was elevated to president. Hextall is Philadelphia’s all-time winningest goalie and served as assistant GM last year.
Holmgren replaced Bobby Clarke as GM during the 2006-07 season and led the Flyers to within two games of the Stanley Cup title in 2010. He played for the Flyers from 1975 to 1984 and coached them from 1988 to 1992.
Hextall previously spent seven seasons as assistant GM and vice president with the Los Angeles Kings. The 50-year-old Hextall played 13 seasons in the NHL, and he had two stints covering 11 years with the Flyers.
Skiing
Former women’s speed coach the new men’s speed coach
PARK CITY, Utah – Alex Hoedlmoser is the new men’s speed coach for the United States Alpine skiing team, replacing Andreas Evers, who was fired last month after being found guilty in Austria of money laundering.
Hoedlmoser had been head coach of the U.S. women, working with Olympic gold medalists Julia Mancuso, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn.
The team announced the switch Wednesday.
Hoedlmoser spent 17 years working with the U.S. women, including the last four as head coach. That position is not being filled right now.
Evers, an Austrian, was fired April 24, hours after being sentenced to four months in prison, plus 20 months on probation.
Associated Press
