The annual NBA GM survey came out Wednesday, and as usual, it's got quite a few things that are interesting in it. Enough chatter! Let's get to the highlights!
I've skipped over obvious ones. In case you were wondering, LeBron James is the most athletic player in the NBA, Joakim Noah's the best defender, etc.
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%
The GMS are more confident in the Spurs than Vegas has been, which is good to see. They should be that much of a favorite, not only as defending champs, but with the Durant injury and how they've lost no one from that team. Chicago getting only 11 percent is a respect vote, but it's also surprising they didn't garner more. But then, they, OKC, and the Clippers are largely on the same tier. How about the Warriors sneaking on there?
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%
Aw, Washington. That's adorable. Cleveland continues to get a huge amount of confidence based mostly on, you know, LeBron. Because the other factors (continuity, defense, etc.) aren't there. Not yet.
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%
James is just the safe bet here, as we talked about when we broke down the actual odds. You wonder if the vote was taken before or after Kevin Durant's foot fracture, because the others have to go up. Also interesting that Blake Griffin didn't get more votes, and that Melo got some.
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%
That's a short-term answer, because if you're looking at trying to win as many titles over the next ten years, you take Davis. James is the "I will make sure I have the best chance to win at least one," whereas Durant and Davis are "the best chances over a longer period of time." Davis being tied with KD is pretty shocking, and shows you what the league knows of the Brow already.
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 76.9%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 11.5%
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 7.7%
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas -- 3.8%
Last year: LeBron James -- 66.7%
Dirk being fourth on this list is really great, especially at his age. Melo is nice, and all, but honestly most teams' successful strategy for him is "let him cook and shut down everyone else and he'll eventually cool down." Just not sure what the big adjustment needed on him is.
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston -- 63.0%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State -- 18.5%
3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 7.4%
Stephen Curry, Golden State -- 7.4%
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 3.7%
Last year: James Harden -- 56.7%
Stephen Curry is a shooting guard now. Surprise! Dwyane Wade is not on this list. Surprise! Neither is Arron Afflalo. Surprise! KD somehow is. Surprise?
But seriously, the Klay Thompson hype is out of control. Out. Of. Control.
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland -- 25.0%
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 25.0%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 21.4%
4. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 10.7%
5. Kevin Love, Cleveland -- 7.1%
Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Last year: Tim Duncan -- 31.0%
Another sign of the disrespect Griffin still suffers from, and LeBron managed to not only win small forward over Kevin Durant, but also get votes here. He's basically omnipresent. And ouch, Kevin Love. That's brutal for a guy who has been a top-ten player the past two seasons. Aldridge was great last season and is a better defender than Love, but isn't nearly as versatile.
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Tyson Chandler, Dallas -- 17.9%
2. Omer Asik, New Orleans -- 14.3%
Spencer Hawes, L.A. Clippers -- 14.3%
4. Pau Gasol, Chicago -- 7.1%
Paul Pierce, Washington -- 7.1%
Also receiving votes: Arron Afflalo, Denver; Bojan Bogdanovic, Brooklyn; Channing Frye, Orlando; James Johnson, Toronto; Shawn Marion, Cleveland; Nikola Mirotic, Chicago; Jameer Nelson, Dallas; Lance Stephenson, Charlotte; Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota; Marvin Williams, Charlotte; Thaddeus Young, Minnesota
Last year: Jrue Holiday, Andrei Kirilenko, Luis Scola -- 10.0%
Veterans get credit. It happens. Chandler was a great pickup, but some of the lesser names may actually be more underrated. Also, Spencer Hawes...? Really, guys? Gasol getting only seven percent is a little surprising. Asik getting 14.3 percent seems high. Afflalo seems underrated here as well, as is Lance Stephenson, but maybe he's not underrated.
Who will win the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year?
1. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee -- 75.0%
2. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota -- 17.9%
Also receiving votes: Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia; Marcus Smart, Boston
Last year: Victor Oladipo -- 80.0%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee -- 35.7%
2. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota -- 32.1%
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia -- 21.4%
Also receiving votes: Dante Exum, Utah; Doug McDermott, Chicago; Julius Randle, L.A. Lakers
Last year: Victor Oladipo -- 40.0%
Parker being the pick to win the award is obvious, but best player in five years is surprising, given Wiggins' upside. You can see why teams didn't flip out trying to trade up in the draft despite Cleveland being open to deals. And hey, Joel Embiid on there, that's optimistic. Doug McDermott best in five years? I like the kid a lot, but that seems a stretch.
These next ones are obvious, but I just found it funny. Fun game. Play "I Spy" with the words "Gregg Popovich."
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%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 57.1%
2. Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers -- 35.7%
Also receiving votes: Steve Clifford, Charlotte; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago
Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 51.7%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 46.4%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 42.9%
Also receiving votes: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta; Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago
Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 27.6%
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 77.8%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 11.1%
Also receiving votes: Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers; Flip Saunders, Minnesota; Erik Spoelstra, Miami
Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 37.9%
So yeah, I think it's safe to say that Gregg Popovich gets his due credit for how good of a coach he is.
Which player is the best leader?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 35.7%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 28.6%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 14.3%
4. Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn -- 10.7%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers
Last year: Tim Duncan -- 30.0%
Awesome question, awesome answers. Duncan being on there is great considering he's not a "rah-rah" type guy. Doesn't yell, just leads. Chris Paul, same kind of deal, and last year Paul seemed to actually enjoy himself for the first time in years.
Garnett gets the legacy vote, Curry's underrated, Nash is also a legacy vote. Just gonna put this out there... no Kobe Bryant.
Who is the league's best role player?
1. Boris Diaw, San Antonio -- 11.1%
Kenneth Faried, Denver -- 11.1%
3. Jimmy Butler, Chicago -- 7.4%
Taj Gibson, Chicago -- 7.4%
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio -- 7.4%
Kyle Korver, Atlanta -- 7.4%
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio -- 7.4%
Wes Matthews, Portland -- 7.4%
Joakim Noah, Chicago -- 7.4%
Also receiving votes: Tony Allen, Memphis; Nick Collison, Oklahoma City; Danny Green, San Antonio; Draymond Green, Golden State; Dwight Howard, Houston; Andre Iguodala, Golden State; J.J. Redick, L.A. Clippers
Last year: N/A
Most of these guys would object to being called role player. Certainly Kenneth Faried would, Wesley Matthews might. Four Spurs on this list. Four!