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. And he said a top off-season priority will be to lock up Andre Iguodala with a long-term deal. Nike Air Force 1 Low Womens . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Nike Air Force 1 Shoes Sale . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. http://www.airforce1shoescheapsale.com/ . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Nike Air Force 1 Low Mens Sale .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Nike Air Force 1 Womens . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1.TORONTO -- Jack Hawksworth dominated the Toronto 100 from pole to checkered flag for his second Indy Lights victory of the season Saturday. The English driver qualified first in the morning before cruising through the 50-lap race for IndyCars developmental series on the 1.75-mile track at Exhibition Place. Irelands Peter Dempsey followed in second after moving up from seventh and passing Gabby Chaves with five laps to go. Chaves held on for third in the nine-car field. Matthew Di Leo off Barrie, Ont.dddddddddddd, in just his second race of the season, was forced to retire with an electrical issue. The victory is Hawksworths second so far after he won the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla. Carlos Munoz, the series leader with three victories, finished fourth. The races first and only incident came just three turns into the first lap. Sage Karams put his cars nose into the tire wall, and was then bumped by Zach Veach. Both cars finished the race. ' ' '