NBA Annunal GM Survey

2008-09 PREDICTIONS

1. Which team will win NBA Finals 2009?

1. L.A. Lakers – 46.2%
2. Boston – 19.2%
3. New Orleans – 11.5%
4. Houston – 7.7%
San Antonio – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Detroit, Orlando


2. Which team will win the Eastern Conference?

1. Boston – 74.1%
2. Cleveland – 11.1%
Detroit – 11.1%
4. Orlando – 3.7%


3. Which team will win the Western Conference?

1. LA Lakers - 66.7%
2. New Orleans – 18.5%
3. Houston – 7.4%
4. San Antonio – 7.4%


4. Which team will win the Atlantic Division?

1. Boston - 85.2%
2. Philadelphia - 11.1%
3. Toronto - 3.7%


5. Which team will win the Central Division?

1. Detroit – 55.6%
2. Cleveland -- 44.4%





6. Which team will win the Southeast Division?

1. Orlando – 96.3%
2. Washington – 3.7%


7. Which team will win the Southwest Division?

1. New Orleans – 37.0%
2. Houston – 29.6%
San Antonio – 29.6%
4. Dallas – 3.7%


8. Which team will win the Northwest Division?

1. Utah – 92.6%
2. Portland – 7.4%


9. Which team will win the Pacific Division?

1. L.A. Lakers -- 100%




PLAYERS

1. Who will win the 2008-09 MVP?

1. LeBron James - 55.6%
2. Kobe Bryant – 37.0%
3. Chris Paul – 7.4%


2. If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?

1. LeBron James – 66.7%
2. Kobe Bryant – 18.5%
3. Dwight Howard – 11.1%
4. Chris Paul - 3.7%



3. Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?

1. Kobe Bryant – 63.0%
2. LeBron James – 25.9%
3. Chris Paul – 7.4%
4. Kevin Garnett - 3.7%


4. Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2008-09?

1. Andrew Bynum – 18.5%
2. Kevin Durant – 11.1%
3. Rudy Gay – 7.4%
Rodney Stuckey – 7.4%
Al Thornton – 7.4%
Marvin Williams – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Elton Brand, Rudy Fernandez, T.J. Ford, Randy Foye, Danny Granger, Jeff Green, Andre Iguodala, Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Louis Williams, Yao Ming


5. Who is the best point guard in the NBA?

1. Chris Paul – 88.9%
Others receiving votes: Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Deron Williams


6. Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?

1. Kobe Bryant -- 92.6%
Others receiving votes: Ray Allen, Dwyane Wade


7. Who is the best small forward in the NBA?

1. LeBron James – 92.6%
Others receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce


8. Who is the best power forward in the NBA?

1. Tim Duncan – 51.9%
2. Kevin Garnett - 25.9%
3. Amare Stoudemire – 11.1%
4. Dirk Nowitzki – 7.4%
5. Dwight Howard -- 3.7%
9. Who is the best center in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard – 55.6%
2. Yao Ming – 25.9%
3. Tim Duncan – 18.5%


OFFSEASON

1. Which team made the best overall moves?

1. Philadelphia – 51.9%
2. Houston – 18.5%
3. Cleveland – 7.4%
L.A. Clippers – 7.4%
Milwaukee – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: New Orleans, Portland


2. Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

1. Elton Brand – 66.7%
2. Ron Artest – 22.2%
Others receiving votes: Baron Davis, Richard Jefferson, Jermaine O’Neal


3. What was the most underrated player acquisition?

1. James Posey – 22.2%
2. Rudy Fernandez – 11.1%
3. Mickael Pietrus – 7.4%
Mo Williams – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Ron Artest, Brent Barry, Elton Brand, Marcus Camby, Josh Childress, Baron Davis, DeSagana Diop, Chris Duhon, Maurice Evans, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Desmond Mason & Joe Smith, Roger Mason, Jermaine O’Neal


4. Which team will be most improved in 2008-09?

1. Miami – 25.9%
Portland – 25.9%
3. Milwaukee – 14.8%
Philadelphia – 14.8%
5. Oklahoma City – 11.1%
Others receiving votes: Charlotte, Houston

5. What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

1. Elton Brand – 30.0%
2. Marcus Camby – 24.0%
3. Baron Davis – 22.0%
4. Ron Artest – 12.0%
Others receiving votes: Josh Childress, Vinny Del Negro, Mike Miller



ROOKIES

1. Who will win the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year?

1. Michael Beasley – 48.1%
2. Greg Oden – 29.6%
3. O.J. Mayo – 11.1%
Others receiving votes: Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph, Russell Westbrook


2. Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

1. Greg Oden – 30.8%
2. Michael Beasley – 23.1%
Derrick Rose – 23.1%
4. Anthony Randolph – 7.7%
Russell Westbrook – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo


3. Which rookie is the most athletic?

1. Derrick Rose – 33.3%
2. Russell Westbrook – 25.9%
3. Joe Alexander - 18.5%
4. Anthony Randolph – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Jerryd Bayless, Goran Dragic, DeAndre Jordan, Courtney Lee


4. Which international rookie is most ready to contribute this season?

1. Rudy Fernandez – 51.9%
2. Danilo Gallinari – 37.0%
Others receiving votes: Alexis Ajinca, Goran Dragic, Marc Gasol


5. Which rookie is most likely to be a “sleeper” success?

1. J.J. Hickson – 20.0%
2. Courtney Lee – 12.0%
Robin Lopez – 12.0%
4. Mario Chalmers – 8.0%
Rudy Fernandez – 8.0%
Anthony Randolph – 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Ryan Anderson, Darrell Arthur, Jerryd Bayless, Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, Brandon Rush, Marreese Speights



DEFENSE

1. Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Kevin Garnett – 44.4%
2. Ron Artest – 22.2%
3. Kobe Bryant – 11.1%
4. Bruce Bowen – 7.4%
Tim Duncan – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler


2. Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?

1. Bruce Bowen – 44.4%
2. Kobe Bryant – 25.9%
3. Ron Artest – 14.8%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Raja Bell, James Posey, Tayshaun Prince


3. Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?

1. Kevin Garnett – 40.7%
2. Tim Duncan – 18.5%
Dwight Howard – 18.5%
4. Marcus Camby – 7.4%
Tyson Chandler – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: DeSagana Diop, Josh Smith





4. Who is the best on-the-ball defender in the NBA?

1. Kobe Bryant – 26.9%
2. Ron Artest – 19.2%
Bruce Bowen – 19.2%
Rajon Rondo – 19.2%
Others receiving votes: Devin Harris, Kirk Hinrich, Josh Howard, Mickael Pietrus


5. Which player best defends the passing lanes in the NBA?

1. Allen Iverson – 26.9%
2. Trevor Ariza - 11.5%
Caron Butler - 11.5%
4. Kobe Bryant – 7.7%
LeBron James – 7.7%
Chris Paul – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Ron Artest, Leandro Barbosa, Baron Davis, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin, James Posey, Rajon Rondo


INTERNATIONAL

1. Who is the best international player in the NBA?

1. Dirk Nowitzki – 66.7%
2. Manu Ginobili – 18.5%
3. Steve Nash – 11.1%
4. Yao Ming – 3.7%


2. Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2008-09?

1. Rudy Fernandez – 32.0%
2. Andrea Bargnani – 16.0%
3. Marco Belinelli – 12.0%
4. Jose Calderon – 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Andrew Bogut, Danilo Gallinari, Pau Gasol, Nenê, Thabo Sefolosha, Sasha Vujacic, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian








3. Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?

1. Ricky Rubio – 57.7%
2. Juan Carlos Navarro – 7.7%
3. Tiago Splitter – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Dimitrios Diamantidis, Jorge Garbajosa, Nenad Krstic, Bostjan Nachbar, Theo Papaloukas, Fran Vazquez, Nikola Vujicic



COACHES

1. Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Gregg Popovich – 53.8%
2. Phil Jackson – 23.1%
3. Jerry Sloan – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Rick Carlisle, Nate McMillan, Stan Van Gundy


2. Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?

1. Phil Jackson – 44.0%
2. Gregg Popovich – 28.0%
3. Doc Rivers – 12.0%
4. Nate McMillan – 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Jerry Sloan


3. Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

1. Gregg Popovich – 28.0%
2. Larry Brown – 20.0%
3. Rick Carlisle – 12.0%
4. Eddie Jordan – 8.0%
Don Nelson – 8.0%
Doc Rivers – 8.0%
Jerry Sloan – 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Phil Jackson






4. Which head coach is the best in the last two minutes of a close game?

1. Gregg Popovich – 45.8%
2. Larry Brown – 12.5%
3. Rick Adelman – 8.3%
Phil Jackson - 8.3%
Jerry Sloan – 8.3%
Others receiving votes: Mike Dunleavy, Byron Scott, Scott Skiles, Stan Van Gundy


5. Which coach runs the best offense?

1. Mike D’Antoni – 53.8%
2. Phil Jackson – 19.2%
Jerry Sloan – 19.2%
Others receiving votes: Don Nelson, Byron Scott


6. Which coach has the best defensive schemes?

1. Gregg Popovich - 65.4%
2. Doc Rivers – 30.8%
3. Jerry Sloan – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Mike Brown, Sam Mitchell, Stan Van Gundy


7. Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?

1. Tom Thibodeau – 41.7%
2. Del Harris – 20.8%
3. Tim Grgurich -- 12.5%
Others receiving votes: Bernie Bickerstaff, Mike Budenholzer, Tyrone Corbin, Frank Hamblen, Keith Smart, Elston Turner


6. Which active player will make the best head coach someday?

1. Snow, Eric - 24.0%
2. Sam Cassell – 16.0%
3. Derek Fisher – 12.0%
4. Darrell Armstrong – 8.0%
Steve Nash – 8.0%
Jacque Vaughn – 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Raja Bell, Luol Deng, Keyon Dooling, Chris Paul, Kurt Thomas



MISCELLANEOUS

1. Which team will be the most fun to watch?

1. New Orleans – 26.9%
2. Portland – 23.1%
3. Golden State – 11.5%
L.A. Lakers – 11.5%
5. New York – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Boston, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix


2. Which team has the best home-court advantage?

1. Utah – 44.4%
2. Boston – 25.9%
3. L.A. Lakers – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Miami, Portland, San Antonio

3. Which player is the most athletic?

1. LeBron James – 59.3%
2. Josh Smith – 22.2%
Others receiving votes: Kobe Bryant, Shawn Marion, Jamario Moon, Dwyane Wade, Gerald Wallace


4. Which player is the best pure shooter?

1. Ray Allen – 61.1%
2. Jason Kapono – 14.8%
3. Peja Stojakovic – 9.3%
4. Kyle Korver – 7.4%
Michael Redd – 7.4%


5. Which player is the fastest with the ball?

1. Chris Paul – 37.0%
2. Tony Parker – 18.5%
3. T.J. Ford – 14.8%
4. Leandro Barbosa – 11.1%
5. Allen Iverson – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Monta Ellis, Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo

6. Which player is best at moving without the ball?

1. Richard Hamilton – 76.9%
2. Ray Allen – 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Kobe Bryant, Caron Butler, Manu Ginobili, Paul Pierce


7. Which player is the best at getting his own shot?

1. Kobe Bryant - 81.5%
2. Tracy McGrady – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Manu Ginobili, Ben Gordon, LeBron James


8. Which player is the best offensive rebounder?

1. Tyson Chandler – 38.5%
2. Dwight Howard – 30.8%
3. Reggie Evans – 11.5%
Others receiving votes: Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Jeff Foster, Pau Gasol, Luis Scola


9. Which player is the best passer?

1. Steve Nash – 44.4%
2. Chris Paul – 33.3%
3. Jason Kidd – 18.5%
4. Deron Williams – 3.7%


10. Which player is the best in the open court?

1. LeBron James – 37.0%
2. Chris Paul - 22.2%
3. Steve Nash – 11.1%
Dwyane Wade – 11.1%
5. Kobe Bryant – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Manu Ginobili, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams







11. Who is the best finisher?

1. LeBron James – 63.0%
2. Kobe Bryant – 7.4%
Dwight Howard – 7.4%
Tony Parker – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Shawn Marion, Josh Smith, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade


12. Which player does the most with least?

1. Bruce Bowen – 12.5%
2. Reggie Evans – 8.3%
Steve Nash – 8.3%
Fabricio Oberto – 8.3%
Mehmet Okur – 8.3%
Luke Walton – 8.3%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Udonis Haslem, LeBron James, Andre Miller, Paul Millsap, Kendrick Perkins, Luis Scola, Robert Swift, Kurt Thomas, David West


13. Who is the toughest player in the NBA?

1. Ron Artest – 37.0%
2. Kobe Bryant – 14.8%
3. Matt Harpring – 7.4%
Chris Paul – 7.4%
5. Manu Ginobili – 5.6%
Others receiving votes: Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, Joey Dorsey, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace

14. Which player is the best leader?

1. Kevin Garnett – 51.9%
2. Tim Duncan – 11.1%
Steve Nash – 11.1%
Chris Paul – 11.1%
5. Jason Kidd – 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Derek Fisher, LeBron James

15. Which player in the NBA would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?

1. Kobe Bryant -- 88.9%
Others receiving votes: Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Paul Pierce