The Titans may want to talk to Antonio Andrews about illegal hits
October 19, 2016The Cleveland Indians are heading to the 2016 World Series
October 19, 2016With the NBA season set to begin in less than a week, all 30 NBA general managers have done their annual survey which features plenty of questions, ranging from who will win the 2017 title to the MVP and even the rule that each GM wants changed going forward. In the survey, the Cleveland Cavaliers and star LeBron James are featured a few dozen times.
Let’s take a look at where all they are featured:
2017 NBA Finals champion?
- Golden State – 69 percent
- Cleveland – 31 percent
Yes, you are reading that correctly: Every GM in the league believes either the Warriors or Cavaliers will win the championship this season. The fact that not a single person choice a dark horse is somewhat surprising, right?
Top team in the East?
- Cleveland – 96.7 percent
It would appear Cavaliers’ General Manager David Griffin (or whomever submitted his ballot) voted for the Boston Celtics as they were given one of the 32 votes, and teams cannot vote for themselves. Every other GM believes the wine and gold will be the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
2016-17 MVP?
- LeBron James, Cavs – 46.7 percent
- Russell Westbrook, Thunder – 23.3 percent
- Stephen Curry, Warriors; James Harden, Rockets – 10 percent
- Kevin Durant, Warriors – 6.7 percent
- Paul George, Pacers – 3.3 percent
The amount of rest LeBron James will receive throughout the season has obviously yet to be determined, but even if he sits a few games (which is expected), GMs across the league still believe he will win the MVP for the first time since he won back-to-back awards in 2011-13.
If you were starting a franchise, which player would you start with?
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves – 48.3 percent
- Kevin Durant – 20.7 percent
- LeBron James – 17.2 percent
Even with his age, guys across the league still would love to start a franchise with LeBron, even more than they would love to start one with players such as Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis, among others. A question (and answer) like this truly shows just how much GMs believe in James even though he is already 31 years old following the Cavs winning the 2016 championship. Towns’ place at the top of this list should be of little surprise given his solid rookie campaign and incredible upside.
Which player forces opposing coaches to make most adjustments?
- LeBron James – 75 percent
- Stephen Curry – 21.4 percent
- Draymond Green, Warriors – 3.6 percent
Steve Kerr and Tyronn Lue would agree with this, right? Given the fact that James led the Cavs to the title, can shoot from the outside or drive with strength inside the paint, post up or knock down a shot in an opponent’s face, or be a freight train on a fastbreak, No. 23 would be a very hard player to adjust for no matter who the opponent is.
Best point guard?
- Stephen Curry – 63.3 percent
- Chris Paul, Clippers – 40 percent
- Russell Westbrook – 10 percent
- Kyrie Irving, Cavs – 6.7 percent
The fact that Westbrook is behind Paul is very surprising. He has a shot to lead a Durant-less Oklahoma City Thunder team this to the postseason and if so, he will prove just how good he really is now that he’s the big star on the team. Just remember, Kyrie is only 24 years old and is already listed as one of the best point guards in the league. Enjoy this, Cleveland.
Best small forward?
- LeBron James – 76.8 percent
- Kevin Durant – 23.2 percent
LeBron doesn’t have to join a star like Steph Curry to be listed as the best small forward in the league.
Best forward?
- Anthony Davis, Pelicans – 29 percent
- LeBron James – 19.4 percent
- Draymond Green – 16.1 percent
- LaMarcus Aldrige, Spurs; Blake Griffin, Clippers – 12.9 percent
- Kevin Durant – 9.7 percent
AD over LeBron? Interesting. If (and that’s a big if), Davis can potentially be better than James, especially given the fact that he is much younger. But the future doesn’t matter for this type of question, so Davis finishing above one of the greatest to ever play the game, especially given the results of the MVP question, seem puzzling.
Most underrated player acquisition?
- Mike Dunleavy
He wasn’t listed as one of the top four, but Dunleavy was among the ones listed in “also receiving votes”. He may not be a starter, but Dunleavy has the chance to be a major contributor off the bench this season. Whether it’s the fact that the good shooter will get plenty of open looks from the outside or because he’s a veteran who knows how to succeed in whatever role he is given, Dunleavy was a bigger acquisition for the Cavaliers than most people realize.
Best defensive player?
- Kawhi Leonard, Spurs – 66.7 percent
- LeBron James – 10 percent
- Avery Bradley, Celtics; Draymond Green; DeAndre Jordan, Clippers – 6.7 percent
- Hassan Whiteside, Heat – 3.3 percent
What can’t LeBron do?
Best defensive team?
- Spurs – 50 percent
- Celtics – 13.3 percent
- Cavs; Warriors; Jazz – 10 percent
- Hawks – 6.7 percent
We all know how many weapons and playmakers the Cavs have on offense, whether it’s inside or outside of the arc. But one of the best defensive teams in the league as well? James helps this tremendously, but Kevin Love and J.R. Smith, among others, stepping up in the Finals last summer most likely played a major role in this question (and answer).
Best assistant coach?
- Larry Drew
Head coach Tyronn Lue’s top assistant, Drew wasn’t voted one of the four best, but received a few votes to make the list. Prior to last season, Lue was on the list because he was David Blatt’s top assistant, but we all know how that ended.
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
- Mike Dunleavy
Be honest: You thought LeBron James would make this list, right? Dunleavy didn’t cut the top five, but he received votes. I guess we’ll get an up-close look this season at just how good of a coach Dunleavy will be someday after he retires. Plus, James has executive/owner written all over him.
Most athletic?
- Russell Westbrook – 62.1 percent
- LeBron James – 17.2 percent
- Zach LaVine, Timberwolves – 10.3 percent
- Aaron Gordon, Magic – 6.9 percent
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks – 3.4 percent
Make a three? LeBron can do that. Drive to the basket for an and-one? LeBron can do that. Post up? LeBron can do that. Beat the opponent off the dribble? LeBron can do that. Play every position on the floor throughout the game? LeBron can do that. Need anymore examples to show just how athletic James is?
Fastest with the ball?
- Kyrie Irving
He didn’t crack the top three, but he received votes because some GMs believe he is one of the fastest players in the NBA with the ball in his hands. If only they did a “fastest crossover” or “easiest time breaking an opponent’s ankles” type of question on here.
Best passer?
- Chris Paul – 62.1 percent
- LeBron James – 20.7 percent
- Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves – 10.3 percent
That a small forward even gets consideration here is incredible.
Which bench player makes the biggest impact when he enters the game?
- Mike Dunleavy
Not among the top vote-getters but he did receive votes, Cavs fans will find out just how true (or false) this is one is this season.
Toughest player?
- Tony Allen, Grizzlies – 23.3 percent
- Kawhi Leonard – 16.7 percent
- Russell Westbrook – 13.3 percent
- Steven Adams, Thunder; Draymond Green – 10 percent
- Matthew Dellavedova, Bucks; LeBron James – 6.7 percent
Of all the players to be tied with, LeBron had to be exactly even with Delly in the voting, huh? Some complain that James flops or cries too much, but finishing among the toughest in the NBA in a poll that is only answered by GMs across the league shows just how much the league respects him.
Best leader?
- LeBron James – 57.1 percent
- Chris Paul – 14.3 percent
- Stephen Curry; Draymond, Green – 10.7 percent
2016 postseason. Need I say more?
Most versatile?
- LeBron James – 75 percent
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 10 percent
- Draymond Green – 8.3 percent
The dude plays all positions on both offense and defense and can keep up with any player. When he introduces himself, it’s “LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Every position.”
Player with best basketball IQ?
- LeBron James – 65.5 percent
- Chris Paul – 24.1 percent
- Stephen Curry – 6.9 percent
- Kyle Lowry, Raptors – 3.4 percent
James knows so much about basketball that he almost doesn’t know what to do with it. If only there was a vote to see which player would be the first to be a player-coach, amirite?
Game on the line, who do you want taking the shot?
- Stephen Curry – 75.9 percent
- LeBron James – 10.3 percent
- Kyrie Irving
Honestly, this one surprises me a little. If the shot means that James is driving to the basket and either getting fouled or making an a layup, absolutely. But he has been known to settle for either a fadeaway 15-footer or even a three-pointer, which most don’t like. But then again, who wouldn’t want the ball in the best player in the world’s hands when the game matters most.
Irving received votes as well. We all know what happens when he is counted on to make a Shot.
4 Comments
Very cool! Thanks for summarizing this up. It’s incredible that a 14 year vet still gets votes for most athletic in perhaps the most athleticism-centric sports of the Big 4.
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I was under the impression that “best forward” is actually “best POWER forward.” That’s why LeBron is number 2; and it’s actually a pretty amazing result.
I thought it was interesting that best PG didn’t add up to 100% while the other positions do. I feel like there’s a Curry/GS losing a 3-1 lead joke here that I just can’t find…
Stephen Curry – 63.3 percent
Chris Paul, Clippers – 40 percent
Russell Westbrook – 10 percent
Kyrie Irving, Cavs – 6.7 percent