The 12th annual NBA GM survey is out and the San Antonio Spurs fared quite well.
From defending their Western Conference crown to returning to the NBA Finals, the team and individual players alike received accolades from NBA front office brass. Even Nando De Colo, Matt Bonner and Danny Green received attention from NBA GMs.
Here is how the Spurs did:
Which team will win the 2014 NBA Finals?
1. Miami — 75.9%
2. Indiana and San Antonio — 6.9%
Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. San Antonio — 40.0%
2. Oklahoma City — 36.7%
Which team will win the Southwest Division?
1. San Antonio — 70.0%
2. Houston — 30.0%
Last year: San Antonio — 96.7%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. LeBron James, Miami — 66.7%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 13.3%
3. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 10.0%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Derrick Rose, Chicago
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2013-14?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 27.6%
2. Andre Drummond , Detroit — 10.3%
3. Derrick Favors, Utah; Paul George, Indiana; Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Bradley Beal, Washington; James Harden, Houston; Tobias Harris, Orlando; Gordon Hayward, Utah; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 70.0%
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago — 20.0%
3. Tony Parker, San Antonio — 10.0%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 31.0%
2. Kevin Love, Minnesota — 27.6%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 65.5%
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 20.7%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 10.3%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans; Andrei Kirilenko, Brooklyn; Luis Scola, Indiana — 10.0%
4. Jared Dudley, L.A. Clippers; J.J. Redick, L.A. Clippers — 8.3%
6. Mike Dunleavy, Chicago; Andre Iguodala, Golden State; Paul Millsap, Atlanta; Josh Smith, Detroit — 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Steven Adams, Oklahoma City; Marco Belinelli, San Antonio
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Tony Parker, San Antonio — 53.3%
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 26.7%
Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2013-14?
1. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto — 39.3%
2. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota — 17.9%
3. Mirza Teletovic, Brooklyn — 7.1%
Also receiving votes: Nicolas Batum, Portland; Andrew Bogut, Golden State; Nando De Colo, San Antonio
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 34.5%
2. LeBron James, Miami — 27.6%
3. Tony Allen, Memphis — 13.8%
4. Andre Iguodala, Golden State — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Paul George, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Tony Allen, Memphis — 36.7%
2. LeBron James, Miami — 33.3%
3. Paul George, Indiana — 10.0%
4. Avery Bradley, Boston; Andre Iguodala, Golden State; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 6.7%
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 46.7%
2. Joakim Noah, Chicago — 16.7%
3. Marc Gasol, Memphis; Roy Hibbert, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City — 10.0%
Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?
1. Chicago — 43.3%
2. Indiana — 33.3%
3. Miami — 10.0%
4. Memphis — 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Oklahoma City, San Antonio
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 75.9%
2. Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers — 10.3%
3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago — 6.9%
Last year: Gregg Popovich — 80.0%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 51.7%
2. Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers — 31.0%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 27.6%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas — 24.1%
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 37.9%
2. Rick Adelman, Minnesota — 20.7%
Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?
1. Tom Thibodeau, Chicago — 58.6%
2. Frank Vogel, Indiana — 31.0%
Also receiving votes: Mark Jackson, Golden State; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
Which team is the most fun to watch?
1. Golden State — 41.4%
2. L.A. Clippers — 17.2%
3. Oklahoma City — 13.8%
4. Brooklyn, San Antonio — 6.9%
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 26.7%
2. Ty Lawson, Denver — 23.3%
3. Derrick Rose, Chicago — 20.0%
4. John Wall, Washington — 16.7%
5. Tony Parker, San Antonio — 10.0%
Which player is best at moving without the ball?
1. Ray Allen, Miami — 36.7%
2. J.J. Redick, L.A. Clippers — 13.3%
3. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Kyle Korver, Atlanta; Klay Thompson, Golden State — 10.0%
Which player is the best finisher at the rim?
1. LeBron James, Miami — 70.0%
2. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Derrick Rose, Chicago — 6.7%
Which player makes the most of limited natural ability?
1. Kevin Love, Minnesota — 24.1%
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 13.8%
3. Matt Bonner, San Antonio; Jared Dudley, L.A. Clippers — 10.3%
5. J.J. Barea, Minnesota — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Nick Collison, Oklahoma City; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Danny Green, San Antonio
Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 31.0%
2. David West, Indiana — 13.8%
3. Nick Collison, Oklahoma City; Kenneth Faried, Denver; Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Tony Allen, Memphis; Matt Barnes, L.A. Clippers; Reggie Evans, Brooklyn; Udonis Haslem, Miami; LeBron James, Miami; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Which player is the best leader?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 30.0%
2. Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn — 23.3%
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 33.3%
2. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers — 16.7%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio; LeBron James, Miami — 13.3%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 39.3%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 32.1%
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York; LeBron James, Miami — 7.1%
Also receiving votes: Ray Allen, Miami; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio
Thoughts Spurs fans?
As for me I was a bit surprised to see Nando be considered to have a break out season. Seems these GMs do not keep an eye out on the Spurs much.
Popovich getting accolades for his offense over his defense was surprising but not surprising was Tony Parker once again not being considered the best point guard in the league despite having a better career than Rose and Paul.
(via NBA.com)
