Clan-Members » snt even decided whether he will go pr

DENVER -- Even as Masai Ujiri accepted the NBAs executive of the year trophy from club President Josh Kroenke on Thursday, the Denver Nuggets general manager said he would have given it up gladly in exchange for a deep playoff run. "Its a little bittersweet for me," Ujiri said at a news conference a day after the Nuggets George Karl took the trophy for coach of the year. "I would trade that to be playing right now." Ujiri, the first African-born GM in major American sports, built the Nuggets team that won an NBA franchise-record 57 games and went an NBA-best 38-3 at home before going down in the first round. "There was an unbelievable energy in this city and thats why we had kind of a little disappointment when we lost to the Golden State Warriors, whos not such a bad team from what they are doing right now," Ujiri said. "We hope to kick their butts next year but theyre not too bad right now. We understand we are a growing team. We knew there were going to be pains. This is part of the process and well continue to grow." Ujiri assembled a team that had nine players average between 8 and 16.7 points and the city, the Nuggets fans and the organization embraced the clubs persona as a team without a superstar that nevertheless got the job done. Until the third-seeded Nuggets were beaten in six games by the sixth-seeded Warriors, led by their fast-rising star, Stephen Curry. Ujiri said that after the Nuggets first-round exit, his disappointment was so keen he didnt even watch basketball for several days. He finally tuned in Wednesday night to watch an NBA playoff game and came to the office Thursday recharged, spoiling to get started on next season. "Weve got work to do," he said. "I think were beginning to get over our emotional state. You know what? You have to move on." Ujiri said hes confident his deal, which expires in the summer, will be renewed or extended. "Josh and I continue to have conversations. Im very positive that things will work out," he said. And he said a top off-season priority will be to lock up Andre Iguodala with a long-term deal. "Hes a great kid and I think hes great for our basketball team," Ujiri said. "Theres a lot he brings to our program and were proud of him and the year he had. We hope we auditioned ourselves well for him. Its going to be his decision, but well do everything on our part as an organization. We want him back." He vowed the Nuggets will be back for another playoff run next season. "Our goal is to be better and to be better in the playoffs, and were going to do everything we can to get there," he said. Ujiri totalled 59 points and received eight first-place votes from a panel of his fellow team basketball executives throughout the league. The Los Angeles Clippers Gary Sacks finished second with 28 points (three first-place votes) and the Houston Rockets Daryl Morey and the New York Knicks Glen Grunwald finished tied for third with 25 points (four first-place votes). Ujiri, who spent three years with the Toronto Raptors before joining the Nuggets, was named to his current position on Aug. 27, 2010. He worked for the Nuggets organization as a scout from 2003-07, and served as the teams director of international scouting during the 2006-07 season. Ujiris predecessor, Mark Warkentien, won the honour in 2009. Denvers Vince Boryla also won the award in 1984-85. "Hes a great kid and I think hes great for our basketball team," Ujiri said. "Theres a lot he brings to our program and were proud of him and the year he had. We hope we auditioned ourselves well for him. Its going to be his decision, but well do everything on our part as an organization. We want him back." He vowed the Nuggets will be back for another playoff run next season. "Our goal is to be better and to be better in the playoffs, and were going to do everything we can to get there," he said. Ujiri totalled 59 points and received eight first-place votes from a panel of his fellow team basketball executives throughout the league. The Los Angeles Clippers Gary Sacks finished second with 28 points (three first-place votes) and the Houston Rockets Daryl Morey and the New York Knicks Glen Grunwald finished tied for third with 25 points (four first-place votes). Ujiri, who spent three years with the Toronto Raptors before joining the Nuggets, was named to his current position on Aug. 27, 2010. He worked for the Nuggets organization as a scout from 2003-07, and served as the teams director of international scouting during the 2006-07 season. Ujiris predecessor, Mark Warkentien, won the honour in 2009. Denvers Vince Boryla also won the award in 1984-85. 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Hector Bellerin Arsenal Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. RIO DE JANEIRO -- U.S. boxer Shakur Stevenson reached the Olympic bantamweight final Thursday after his Russian semifinal opponent was unable to fight because of an injury, marking the first time since 2004 that an American fighter will be in a gold medal match.Stevenson won by walkover against Vladimir Nikitin, who sustained heavy damage in three consecutive brutal fights, clearing the way for Stevenson to advance to the final against Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba on Saturday.I always want to fight, but once I found out I wasnt fighting (Nikitin), I kind of liked it, Stevenson said. I can use the extra days off. Once I found out I wasnt fighting, I just kept moving to Saturday.Stevenson will secure either gold or silver for the U.S., something the country hasnt accomplished since Andre Ward won gold in Athens in 2004.Ramirez, the London Olympics gold medalist at flyweight, advanced with a masterful victory over Uzbekistans Murodjin Akhmadaliev while Stevenson watched from the stands.I paid close attention to it, Stevenson said. He had a tough opponent from Uzbekistan, and he got it done. He made it look easy, and were about to get after it, I swear.Stevenson is an elite 19-year-old prospect from Newark, New Jersey, with sophisticated boxing skills and remarkable athleticism. He hasnt lost an international bout in his amateur career, and he received a preliminary-round bye as a seeded fighter in Rio before beating Brazils Robenilson de Jesus and Mongolias Erdenebat Tsendbataar, both by unanimous decision.The U.S. men won just one bronze medal in Beijing and none at all in London. With light flyweight Nico Hernandezs bronze medal and Stevensons win, the Rio mens team will leave the Olympics with two medals for the first time since Athens 12 years ago.Nikitin took a pounding Tuesday from Irish world champion Michael Conlan. Nikitin still received the decision in a hard-fought bout, prompting an outraged Conlan to denounce the international boxing association and Russia as conspirators in corruption.Nikitin also won a disputed ddecision over Thailands Chatchai Butdee before taking on Conlan.dddddddddddd The Russian started his tournament by beating Vanuatus Boe Warawara in a bout that left Nikitin bleeding grotesquely from a cut on his shaved scalp, and the cut opened up in each of his two ensuing fights.Conlans potential semifinal matchup with Stevenson was one of the most anticipated bouts of the Rio tournament. Even Stevensons personal coach, Kay Koroma, was excited about the potential test.Ive had many conversations with him where he said that he made his own list when he got here, said Koroma, who is also a coach for USA Boxing. `I saw my bracket. I get to see Conlan in the semifinals and Robeisy in the finals. He didnt get to see Conlan, and he didnt get to see the Russian, but the end of it is happening, and now hes got to fulfill it. What a way to win a gold medal, fighting the person you want to fight.Stevenson has been widely expected to begin his pro career with Top Rank Promotions this fall, but Floyd Mayweather tweeted Wednesday that he wished to extend a warm welcome to (at)ShakurStevenson into The Money Team family. Mayweather runs an eponymous promotional company, but has no stars under contract with the potential drawing power of Stevenson.Stevenson declined to confirm he had teamed up with Mayweather to be his promoter or in another capacity, grinningly saying he hasnt even decided whether he will go pro.Nothing is decided yet, Stevenson said. Im going to focus on winning the gold medal, and after I win the gold medal, Im going to weigh my options and see whats next for me.But Stevenson spoke glowingly of the retired champion after meeting him earlier in the Rio tournament. Mayweather, who attended Stevensons fights, subsequently referred to Stevenson as the next Floyd Mayweather.If he calls me and tells me stuff, Ill take it, but Im focused, Stevenson said. Im ready. It dont matter who I talk to. ' ' '