Buford finishing second to the guy he fleeced.
I was a big Bird fan growing up and probably is still my fave of all time, Duncan being #2 (its hard to let go of your childhood hero), but Buford was better. Kawai Leonard, Danny Greene, Diaw, Jackson? I realize that Neal and Splitter and others were from the previous year but all the above is saying that Buford is the best in the league.
The only way Bird makes any sense is if you're judging him over the last few years. I agree he's done great work taking a bloated situation and streamlining it ... but that's been a years long process. If this award is what he's done this season alone, I just don't see it.
I'm not saying Buford should have won; I just don't really understand how Bird won.
pacers picked up george hill who has been just what they expected. they signed david west which turned them from an 8th seed to a 3rd seed. they signed lou amundson, and leandro barbosa. thats a pretty solid executive. granted, we all know what RC did, but the pacers moved from 8th to 3rd in their conference while the spurs were already a powerhouse in their conference, but still improved. i could see the voting process going towards Bird.
The Pacers moved from eighth to 3rd and they have a good mix of youth and veteran players. I think they will give they will really challenge the Heat.
Both were deserving IMO.
Bird did a great job bringing Indiana out of the slums, and Buford put as back at the top
Where was Jordan on the list?
I guess taking a team from 19th best out of 30 teams last year to 5th best record in NBA this year with a coach nobody knows, speaks well for Larry. Most GMs probably wouldn't have made the decision to go with Vogel.
Oh, and BTW, Vogel was sort of hired after Bird lost out on getting guys like Adelman or Casey. I think I heard that Bird took a pay cut to go along with the lower Indy team payroll.
Kind of amazing how it all came together for the Pacers.
meh, bird has done a pretty good job on the pacers. he basically took a small market lottery team in the east and turned them into potential contenders. basing the award on one year is pretty limiting for an NBA executive of the year award. it takes time before the rewards of draft picks or trades fully materialize. giving the award to bird makes sense.
I think this award has been given to him because of his work over the past few years, which has been very good. But if you take that season alone, I think Buford or Oshley were more worthy (I actually thought Oshley was the favorite because he made the biggest trade of the season and a few other good ones)
This is a fresh load of crap! Buford should have gotten it. This is for the birds...
Glad they don't give the award 2 years later. When Leonard is an all-star and Hill is playing somewhere else Bird might not look so smart.
The Executive of the Year is voted on by the NBA execs.
Being an executive is about more than just the players you sign or for whom you trade. It involves all types of payroll and hiring decisions, such as selecting a new coach. Having the lowest payroll in the league and the 5th best record is to be rewarded.
This. Ridiculous choice.
You're going to start a team tomorrow. Do you hire Larry Bird or R.C. Buford?
Bird whittled that team out of an old piece of hickory and a pocket knife whilst a settin' on his back porch in his favorite rocking chair that his grandpaw made with his own two hands.
Well deserved tbh.
What's more ridiculous: Duncan never winning DPOY or Buford never winning Executive of the Year? I'll say the former, but it's nothing short of ridiculous that Colangelo has two, Baylor has one and Buford has none. I know it's not meant to be a lifetime achievement award, but at the same time, that just doesn't sound right.
A little shocking given the amazingness of the RJ trade by itself. Based on this year's production, the Hill trade is a draw in my opinion; too bad there is no real way to quantify the Lorkek aspect of it though. That said, RC could have lost to some one worse given the Hill & West moves, and the fact that the Pacers are in a good cap position to pursue Eric Gordon this summer.
Wait what ? Pacers are winners in Hill - Leonard trade ? And how is that. I mean, G. Hill is great stud, but Leonard is going to be a beast on both sides of the court. And Spurs got Lorbek`s rights. Guy could be best big playing in Europe.
If Buford didn't win it this year I don't see how he'll ever win it...
Move to the Eastern Conference and transform a team from mediocre to better-than-mediocre. Long-term legitimacy not a requirement.
that's my theory.
Does anyone else think it's funny that "Vogel" is German for "bird"?
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