John Schuhmann of NBA.com was able to put together the NBA’s 13th annual survey, where the general managers of all NBA teams try to predict what will happen during the upcoming season.
Guess what?
NBA GMs answers aren’t that different from those you’d get if you surveyed a sports bar. The Spurs look to be the favorites and LeBron James is really, really good. Here are some of the more pertinent questions which NBA GMs answered. (Teams were not allowed to vote on themselves or their own players.)
Which team will win the 2015 NBA Finals?
1. San Antonio — 46.2%
2. Cleveland — 15.4%
3. Chicago — 11.5%
L.A. Clippers — 11.5%
Oklahoma City — 11.5%
6. Golden State — 3.8%
Last year: Miami — 75.9%
San Antonio is the favorite but they’re not as heavily favored as Miami was to win last year. Also, having LeBron James (or losing him in Mimai’s case) really, really affects your title chances. Who knew?
Which team will win the Eastern Conference finals?
1. Cleveland — 70.4%
2. Chicago — 25.9%
3. Washington — 3.7%
Last year: Miami — 86.2%Which team will win the Western Conference finals?
1. San Antonio — 55.6%
2. Oklahoma City — 29.6%
3. L.A. Clippers — 11.1%
4. Golden State — 3.7%
Last year: San Antonio — 40.0%
A Spurs vs Cavs Finals would be really, really entertaining. LeBron gets another chance to beat San Antonio? Kevin Love gets to try and navigate through Spurs screen? Tim Duncan gets a chance to pull off a billion “Duncan faces”? Yes, please.
Who will win the 2014-15 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 67.9%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 21.4%
Also receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony, New York; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers
Last year: LeBron James — 69.0%
If the MVP vote were actually based on dominance, LeBron would win every year. With a Kevin Durant win last year, it’s a safe bet that voters will go back to the King this season.
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 50.0%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 25.0%
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 25.0%
Last year: LeBron James — 89.7%
LeBron stays on top but it’s closer this year. NBA GMs are very high on Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, both of who are younger than LeBron.
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. Cleveland — 89.3%
2. Chicago — 10.7%
Last year: Houston — 55.2%
A couple GMs are really, really high on Chicago’s Pau Gasol acquisition.
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 96.3%
2. Pau Gasol, Chicago — 3.7%
Last year: Dwight Howard — 86.2%
Ok, that Gasol thing has to be Cleveland’s GM seeing as they couldn’t vote for themselves, right?
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 92.9%
Also receiving votes: Lionel Hollins, Brooklyn; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago
Last year: Gregg Popovich — 75.9%
The fact that Popovich only got 92.9% of the vote is a travesty.
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 76.9%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 7.7%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 7.7%
Also receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony, New York; Stephen Curry, Golden State
Last year: Kevin Durant — 39.3%
KD is not nice.
The rest of the survey is well worth your time as well. Click here to read it.
