The NBA season is upon us and that means it’s time for NBA.com to release their annual general manager survey. The GMs responded to 48 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, fans, and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.
Which team will win the 2017 NBA Finals?
1. Golden State – 69.0%
2. Cleveland – 31.0%
Last year: Cleveland – 53.6%
Who will win the 2016-17 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 46.7%
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 23.3%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10.0%
James Harden, Houston – 10.0%
5. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 6.7%
6. Paul George, Indiana – 3.3%
Last year: LeBron James – 39.3%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 48.3%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 20.7%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland – 17.2%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Last year: Anthony Davis – 86.2%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2016-17?
1. Devin Booker, Phoenix – 31.0%
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 13.8%
3. Myles Turner, Indiana – 10.3%
4. D’Angelo Russell, L.A. Lakers – 6.9%
Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota – 6.9%
Last year: Andrew Wiggins – 17.2%
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 63.3%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 20.0%
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 10.0%
4. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland – 6.7%
Last year: Stephen Curry – 55.2%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston – 56.7%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State – 40.0%
3. Dwyane Wade, Chicago – 3.3%
Last year: James Harden – 79.3%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 76.8%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 23.2%
Last year: LeBron James – 89.3%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 29.0%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 19.4%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 16.1%
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio – 12.9%
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers – 12.9%
6. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 9.7%
Last year: Anthony Davis – 82.1%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 33.3%
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento – 26.7%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 16.7%
4. Marc Gasol, Memphis – 13.3%
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 6.7%
6. Draymond Green, Golden State – 3.3%
Last year: Marc Gasol – 65.5%
Which team will be most improved in 2016-17?
1. Minnesota – 56.7%
2. Utah – 23.3%
3. New York – 10.0%
Also receiving votes: Boston, Houston, L.A. Lakers
Last year: Oklahoma City – 25.0%
Who will win the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year?
1. Kris Dunn, Minnesota – 46.7%
2. Buddy Hield, New Orleans – 13.3%
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 13.3%
4. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 10.0%
Brandon Ingram, L.A. Lakers – 10.0%
Also receiving votes: Marquese Chriss, Phoenix; Jamal Murray, Denver
Last year: Jahlil Okafor – 44.8%
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 27.6%
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis – 24.1%
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 22.4%
4. Kristaps Porzingis, New York – 12.1%
5. Pau Gasol, San Antonio – 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Rudy Gobert, Utah; Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota
Last year: Marc Gasol – 62.1%
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio – 66.7%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 10.0%
3. Avery Bradley, Boston – 6.7%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 6.7%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 6.7%
6. Hassan Whiteside, Miami – 3.3%
Last year: Kawhi Leonard – 27.6%
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 83.3%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 13.3%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 3.3%
Last year: Gregg Popovich – 93.1%
Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Tony Allen, Memphis – 23.3%
2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio – 16.7%
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 13.3%
4. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City – 10.0%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 10.0%
6. Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee – 6.7%
LeBron James, Cleveland – 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Patrick Beverley, Houston; Jimmy Butler, Chicago; Kyle Lowry, Toronto; Isaiah Thomas, Boston
Last year: Tony Allen – 20.7%
Which player is the best leader?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 57.1%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 14.3%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10.7%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 10.7%
Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan; Dwyane Wade, Chicago
Last year: LeBron James – 44.6%
Who is the most versatile player in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 75.0%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 10.0%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 8.3%
Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Golden State; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Last year: N/A
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 65.5%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers –24.1%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 6.9%
4. Kyle Lowry, Toronto – 3.4%
Last year: Chris Paul – 46.4%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 75.9%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 10.3%
Also receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony, New York; Kevin Durant, Golden State; James Harden, Houston; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland
Last year: Stephen Curry – 51.7%
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