2012/13 NBA Season NBA GM Survey

PREDICTIONS

Which team will win the 2013 NBA Finals?

1. Miami -- 70.0% 
2. L.A. Lakers -- 23.3% 
3. Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Last year: Miami -- 74.1%

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?

1. Miami -- 96.7% 
2. Boston -- 3.3%

Last year: Miami -- 96.3%

Which team will win the Western Conference?

1. L.A. Lakers -- 60.0% 
2. Oklahoma City -- 36.7% 
3. Denver -- 3.3%

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 67.9%

Which team will win the Atlantic Division?

1. Boston -- 66.7% 
2. Brooklyn and New York -- 13.3% 
4. Philadelphia -- 6.7%

Last year: Boston -- 64.3%

Which team will win the Central Division?

1. Indiana -- 80% 
2. Chicago -- 20% 
Last year: Chicago -- 96.4%

Which team will win the Southeast Division?

1. Miami -- 96.7% 
2. Atlanta -- 3.3%

Last year: Miami --96.3%

Which team will win the Southwest Division?

1. San Antonio -- 96.7% 
2. Memphis -- 3.3%

Last year: San Antonio -- 63.6%

Which team will win the Northwest Division?

1. Oklahoma City -- 86.7% 
2. Denver -- 10.0% 
3. Minnesota -- 3.3%

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 71.4%

Which team will win the Pacific Division?

1. L.A. Lakers -- 96.7% 
2. L.A. Clippers -- 3.3%

Last year: L.A. Lakers -- 77.8%

PLAYERS

Who will win the 2012-13 MVP?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 66.7% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 3.3%

Last year: Kevin Durant -- 66.7%

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

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 80.0% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 16.7% 
3. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 3.3%

Last year: Kevin Durant, LeBron James -- 37.0%

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 50.0% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 20.0% 
3. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 16.7% 
4. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Derrick Rose, Chicago

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 29.6%

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2012-13?

1. Klay Thompson, Golden State -- 13.3% 
2. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland, and Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio -- 10.0% 
4. Paul George, Indiana, and James Harden, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Nicolas Batum, Portland; Alec Burks, Utah; DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kenneth Faried, Denver; Taj Gibson, Chicago; Eric Gordon, New Orleans; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Gordon Hayward, Utah; Andre Iguodala, Denver; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Ty Lawson, Denver; JaVale McGee, Denver; Josh Selby, Memphis; Evan Turner, Philadelphia; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City

Last year: James Harden -- 21.4%

Who is the best point guard in the NBA?

1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 69.0% 
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 20.7% 
3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.9% 
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio -- 3.4%

Last year: Derrick Rose -- 59.3%

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 66.7% 
2. Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 23.3%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; James Harden, Oklahoma City

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 55.6%

Who is the best small forward in the NBA?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 73.3% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 26.7%

Last year: LeBron James -- 77.8%

Who is the best power forward in the NBA?

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 30.0% 
2. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas -- 23.3% 
3. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland -- 10.0% 
5. Kevin Garnett, Boston, and Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers

Last year: Dirk Nowitzki -- 41.4%

Who is the best center in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 93.3% 
2. Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia -- 6.7%

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 96.3

OFFSEASON MOVES

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?

1. L.A. Lakers -- 86.2% 
2. Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Atlanta, Golden State

Last year: L.A. Clippers -- 85.2%

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 70.0% 
2. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 20.0%

Also receiving votes: Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia; Joe Johnson, Brooklyn; Deron Williams, Brooklyn

Last year: Chris Paul - 100%

What was the most underrated player acquisition?

1. Andre Iguodala, Denver -- 16.7% 
2. Jason Terry, Boston -- 13.3% 
3. Courtney Lee, Boston -- 10.0% 
4. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans, Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota, Brandon Roy, Minnesota, Lou Williams, Atlanta -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Ray Allen, Miami; Marcus Camby, New York; Gerald Green, Indiana; Grant Hill, L.A. Clippers; Chris Kaman, Dallas; Kyle Lowry, Toronto; O.J. Mayo, Dallas; Darko Milicic, Boston; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Alexey Shved, Minnesota

Last year: Brandon Bass, David West -- 15.4%

Which team will be most improved in 2012-13?

1. Brooklyn -- 62.1% 
2. L.A. Lakers, Minnesota -- 10.3% 
4. New Orleans -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Denver, Golden State, Milwaukee

Last year: L.A. Clippers -- 66.7%

What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

1. Steve Nash to the Lakers -- 39.3% 
2. Bynum/Howard/Iguodala trade -- 17.9% 
3. Knicks not matching Jeremy Lin offer -- 14.3% 
4. Ray Allen to Miami, Joe Johnson to Brooklyn -- 10.7%

Also receiving votes: Jeff Green's contract, Luis Scola amnestied by Houston

Last year: Chris Paul to the Clippers -- 33.3%

ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL

Who will win 2012-13 Rookie of the Year?

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 76.7% 
2. Damian Lillard, Portland -- 20.0% 
3. Austin Rivers, New Orleans -- 3.3%

Last year: Kyrie Irving -- 63.0%

Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 86.7% 
2. Bradley Beal, Washington -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Damian Lillard, Portland; Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto

Last year: Kyrie Irving -- 51.9%

Which rookie is the most athletic?

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 40.0% 
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte -- 16.7% 
3. Andre Drummond, Detroit -- 13.3% 
4. Terrence Ross, Toronto -- 10.0% 
5. Perry Jones, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Quincy Acy, Toronto; Terrence Jones, Houston; Thomas Robinson, Sacramento; Dion Waiters, Cleveland

Last year: Derrick Williams -- 32.1%

Which rookie is most likely to be a "sleeper" success?

1. Jared Sullinger, Boston -- 17.2% 
2. Maurice Harkless, Orlando, Andrew Nicholson, Orlando -- 13.8% 
4. Jae Crowder, Dallas, Damian Lillard, Portland -- 10.3% 
6. Terrence Jones, Houston -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Jared Cunningham, Dallas; Andre Drummond, Detroit; Evan Fournier, Denver; John Jenkins, Atlanta; Perry Jones, Oklahoma City; Doron Lamb, Milwaukee; Donatas Motiejunas, Houston; Terrence Ross, Toronto

Last year: Norris Cole -- 44.0%

Who is the best international player in the NBA?

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas -- 72.4% 
2. Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Tony Parker, San Antonio

Last year: Dirk Nowitzki -- 96.4%

Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2012-13?

1. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto -- 17.2% 
2. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota -- 13.8% 
3. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota -- 13.8% 
4. Goran Dragic, Phoenix, Danilo Gallinari, Denver, Donatas Motiejunas, Houston, Kevin Seraphin, Washington, Alexey Shved, Minnesota, Mirza Teletovic, Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Christian Eyenga, Orlando; Evan Fournier, Denver; Enes Kanter, Utah; Tiago Splitter, San Antonio; Jan Vesely, Washington

Last year: Ricky Rubio -- 37.0%

Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?

1. Juan Carlos Navarro -- 34.6% 
2. Nikola Mirotic -- 11.5% 
3. Dimitris Diamantidis, Rudy Fernandez, Bo McCalebb, Dario Saric -- 7.7%

Also receiving votes: Nenad Krstic, Milan Macvan, Vassilis Spanoulis, Milos Teodosic, Ante Tomic, Fran Vazquez

Last year: Jonas Valanciunas -- 36.0%

DEFENSE

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 60.0% 
2. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 
3. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City -- 13.3%

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Kevin Garnett, Boston; Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 76.9%

Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?

1. Tony Allen, Memphis -- 33.3% 
2. LeBron James, Miami -- 26.7% 
3. Avery Bradley, Boston, Andre Iguodala, Denver, Rajon Rondo, Boston, Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers; Eric Gordon, New Orleans; Dahntay Jones, Dallas; Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers

Last year: Tony Allen -- 26.9%

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 66.7% 
2. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City -- 16.7% 
3. Tyson Chandler, New York -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Kevin Garnett, Boston

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 88.9%

Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?

1. Chicago -- 40.0% 
2. Miami -- 26.7% 
3. Boston -- 23.3% 
4. L.A. Lakers -- 6.7% 
5. San Antonio -- 3.3%

Last year: Chicago -- 66.7%

COACHES

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 80.0% 
2. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 13.3%

Also receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Minnesota; Erik Spoelstra, Miami

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 42.3%

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

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 60.0% 
2. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 40.0%

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 42.9%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 40.0% 
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 20.0% 
3. Doug Collins, Philadelphia -- 13.3% 
4. Rick Adelman, Minnesota -- 6.7% 
5. George Karl, Denver -- 6.7% 
6. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 35.7%

Which head coach runs the best offense?

1. George Karl, Denver -- 31.0% 
2. Rick Adelman, Minnesota, Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 27.6% 
4. Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City, Alvin Gentry, Phoenix -- 6.9%

Last year: George Karl -- 22.2%

Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?

1. Tom Thibodeau, Chicago -- 70.0% 
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 10.0% 
3. Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers, Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Doc Rivers, Boston; Erik Spoelstra, Miami

Last year: Tom Thibodeau -- 61.5%

Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?

1. Brian Shaw, Indiana -- 23.3% 
2. Mike Budenholzer, San Antonio -- 20.0% 
3. Steve Clifford, L.A. Lakers, Mike Malone, Golden State -- 10.0% 
5. Maurice Cheeks, Oklahoma City, Jay Triano, Portland -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Ron Adams, Chicago; Kenny Atkinson, Atlanta; Brett Brown, San Antonio; Michael Curry, Philadelphia; Darren Erman, Golden State; Armond Hill, Boston; Elston Turner, Phoenix

Last year: Mike Malone -- 29.2%

Which active player will make the best head coach someday?

1. Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers -- 20.7% 
2. Shane Battier, Miami -- 17.2% 
3. Derek Fisher -- 13.8% 
4. Jason Kidd, New York, Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3% 
6. Grant Hill, L.A. Clippers, Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Ray Allen, Miami; Luke Walton, Cleveland; Charles Jenkins, Golden State; Earl Watson, Utah

Last year: Derek Fisher -- 25.9%

MISCELLANEOUS

Which team is the most fun to watch?

1. Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 
2. Miami -- 26.7% 
3. Denver -- 16.7% 
4. Golden State -- 6.7%, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%, San Antonio -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: L.A. Lakers, New York

Last year: Miami -- 33.3%

Which team has the best home-court advantage?

1. Oklahoma City -- 70.0% 
2. Miami -- 10.0%, Utah -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Denver, L.A. Lakers, Portland

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 44.4%

Which player is the most athletic?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 62.1% 
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 20.7% 
3. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 13.8% 
4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 3.4%

Last year: LeBron James -- 46.2%

Which player is the best pure shooter?

1. Ray Allen, Miami -- 56.7% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 20.0% 
3. Steve Novak, New York -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: James Harden, Oklahoma City; Kyle Korver, Atlanta; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Klay Thompson, Golden State

Last year: Ray Allen -- 85.7%

Which player is the fastest with the ball?

1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 36.7% 
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 23.3% 
3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 13.3% 
4. Ty Lawson, Denver -- 6.7%, John Wall, Washington -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Aaron Brooks, Sacramento; Darren Collison, Dallas; LeBron James, Miami; Tony Parker, San Antonio

Last year: Derrick Rose -- 57.7%

Which player is best at moving without the ball?

1. Ray Allen, Miami -- 56.7% 
2. Richard Hamilton, Chicago -- 10.0% 
3. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio -- 6.7%, Kyle Korver, Atlanta -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Luol Deng, Chicago; Marc Gasol, Memphis; James Harden, Oklahoma City; Paul Pierce, Boston; J.J. Redick, Orlando; Klay Thompson, Golden State

Last year: Ray Allen -- 67.9%

Which player is the best at getting his own shot?

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 40.0% 
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 
3. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 
4. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 6.7%, Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 6.7%

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 35.7%

Which player is the best offensive rebounder?

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 53.3% 
2. Kenneth Faried, Denver -- 16.7% 
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento -- 6.7%, dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Reggie Evans, Brooklyn; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Kris Humphries, Brooklyn; Zach Randolph, Memphis

Last year: Kevin Love -- 64.3%

Which player is the best passer?

1. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 58.6% 
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 27.6% 
3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.9%, Deron Williams, Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Last year: Chris Paul -- 40.7%

Which player is the most dangerous in the open floor?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 60.0% 
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 23.3% 
3. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 10.0% 
4. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Last year: LeBron James -- 53.8%

Which player is the best finisher?

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 66.7% 
2. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 10.0%, Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Tyreke Evans, Sacramento; James Harden, Oklahoma City; Josh Smith, Atlanta

Last year: LeBron James -- 42.3%

Which player makes the most of limited natural ability?

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 34.5% 
2. Shane Battier, Miami -- 10.3% 
3. Marc Gasol, Memphis -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Ryan Anderson, New Orleans; Matt Bonner, San Antonio; Nick Collison, Oklahoma City; Roy Hibbert, Indiana; Jared Dudley, Phoenix; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Danny Green, San Antonio; Chuck Hayes, Sacramento; Kris Humphries, Brooklyn; Paul Millsap, Utah; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Steve Novak, New York; Luis Scola, Phoenix; Anderson Varejao, Cleveland

Last year: Kevin Love -- 26.9%

Who is the toughest player in the NBA?

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 26.7% 
2. Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers -- 10.0% 
3. Reggie Evans, Brooklyn -- 6.7%, Kenneth Faried, Denver -- 6.7%, Kevin Garnett, Boston -- 6.7%, LeBron James, Miami -- 6.7%, Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers; Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Marcin Gortat, Phoenix; Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers; Zach Randolph, Memphis; Anderson Varejao, Cleveland; David West, Indiana

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 32.1%

Which player is the best leader?

1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 27.6% 
2. Kevin Garnett, Boston -- 20.7% 
3. Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers -- 10.3%, Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 10.3%, LeBron James, Miami -- 10.3%, Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Jason Kidd, New York

Last year: Chris Paul -- 25.0%

Which player has the best basketball IQ?

1. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 27.6% 
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 13.8%, LeBron James, Miami -- 13.8%, Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 13.8% 
5. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3% 
6. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers; Jason Kidd, New York; Rajon Rondo, Boston

Last year: Steve Nash -- 28.6%

Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 46.7% 
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 40.0% 
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 6.7%