When a guy who trades OJ Mayo for Kevin Love talks, you listen. And now you can!
The NBA recently conducted a survey of every general manager in the league and asked them an absurd amount of questions. Seriously, there are like 50 of them, making me wonder how these guys have time for this? I mean, Joe Smith isn’t going to fraudulently negotiate a pay cut with himself.
You can find the full results after the jump, but since the GMs were so horrendous last year in their predictions (100% had the Suns winning the Pacific, 0% had the Hornets winning the Southwest and 52% had the Bulls winning the Central). The more interesting, individual player assessments come first:
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 WallaceWhich 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%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 RondoWhich 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 PierceWhich 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 JamesWhich 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 ScolaWhich 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%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 WilliamsWho 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 WadeWhich 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 WestWho 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 WallaceWhich 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 JamesWhich 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
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, OrlandoWhich team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Boston — 74.1%
2. Cleveland — 11.1%
Detroit — 11.1%
4. Orlando — 3.7%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%Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
1. Boston – 85.2%
2. Philadelphia – 11.1%
3. Toronto – 3.7%Which team will win the Central Division?
1. Detroit — 55.6%
2. Cleveland — 44.4%Which team will win the Southeast Division?
1. Orlando — 96.3%
2. Washington — 3.7%Which team will win the Southwest Division?
1. New Orleans — 37.0%
2. Houston — 29.6%
San Antonio — 29.6%
4. Dallas — 3.7%Which team will win the Northwest Division?
1. Utah — 92.6%
2. Portland — 7.4%Which team will win the Pacific Division?
1. L.A. Lakers — 100%
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, PortlandWhich 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’NealWhat 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’NealWhich 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, HoustonWhat 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
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 WestbrookWhich 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. MayoWhich 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 LeeWhich 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 GasolWhich 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 SpeightsWho 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%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 JianlianWho 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
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 ChandlerWho 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 PrinceWho 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 SmithWho 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 PietrusWhich 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
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 GundyWhich 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 SloanWhich 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 JacksonWhich 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 GundyWhich 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 ScottWhich coach has the best defensive schemes?
1. Gregg Popovich – 50.0%
2. Doc Rivers — 30.8%
3. Jerry Sloan — 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Mike Brown, Sam Mitchell, Stan Van GundyWho 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 TurnerWhich active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Eric Snow — 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
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