In the latest NBA.com survey of all 30 general managers, the defending champion Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics were chosen as the co-favorites to win this year’s NBA title. This outcome was unexpected as the Milwaukee Bucks were the leaders in this category last year with 43% of the vote. However, for the upcoming season, the Nuggets and Celtics received the majority of the votes, each gaining 10 out of the 30 GMs’ support.
As predicted, the survey results also revealed that both the Nuggets and the Celtics were favored to win their respective conferences. In the Western Conference, the Nuggets were picked as the top team, followed closely by the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies. On the other hand, in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics were chosen as the favorites, with the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat following closely behind.
The survey also shed light on individual player predictions. Nikola Jokic was overwhelmingly selected as the player with the highest chances of winning the NBA’s MVP award, reinforcing his previous selection in ESPN.com’s annual offseason survey. Jokic was also chosen as the player that GMs would most likely select to start a franchise with. As for this season’s breakout star, Anthony Edwards narrowly beat out Cade Cunningham as the top candidate. Additionally, Victor Wembanyama was predicted to win the Rookie of the Year award and emerge as the best rookie five years from now.
According to the general managers, Stephen Curry was unquestionably named the best point guard in the league, displaying his exceptional skills and impact on the game. Other top rankings included Devin Booker as the best shooting guard, Jayson Tatum as the best small forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best power forward, and Jokic as the best center. The only change from last year’s rankings was Tatum surpassing Kevin Durant as the top small forward in the league.
The survey also recognized the coaching abilities of Erik Spoelstra, naming him as the NBA’s best coach. Spoelstra was praised for his motivation skills, ability to make adjustments, and defensive schemes. Additionally, Mike Brown, the coach of the Sacramento Kings, was credited with running the league’s best offense. Notably, Ime Udoka, the newly hired head coach of the Houston Rockets, was predicted to have the biggest impact on his new team. Jordi Fernandez, the assistant coach for the Kings, was named the league’s top assistant coach, thanks to his successful leadership of Team Canada in the recent FIBA World Cup.
In terms of offseason acquisitions, both the Celtics and the Bucks were recognized for having the best offseasons in the league. However, Damian Lillard’s addition to the Bucks was deemed the most surprising move of the summer and the one that will have the biggest impact. Similarly, the Memphis Grizzlies’ acquisition of Marcus Smart was considered the most underrated move of the summer.
According to the survey, the Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to be the most improved team this season, possessing the league’s best young core. The Denver Nuggets were selected as the most entertaining team to watch, highlighting their exciting and fast-paced style of play. Moreover, the Nuggets were recognized for having the best home-court advantage and the league’s most efficient offense for the upcoming season. Contrarily, the Philadelphia 76ers, amidst the James Harden drama, were seen as the most unpredictable team, making it difficult to ascertain how their season will unfold.
Individually, several players were acknowledged for their exceptional skills. Ja Morant was named the league’s most athletic player, while Curry was recognized as the best shooter, demonstrated by his ability to excel both with and without the ball. Additionally, Jokic was celebrated as the best passer and the player with the highest basketball IQ. Antetokounmpo was hailed as the most versatile player, while LeBron James was perceived as the best leader in the league.
Among the rule changes implemented this season, the new player participation policy governing the resting of players was deemed the most significant adjustment for teams. This policy outlines regulations regarding player rest and necessitates careful consideration by teams. Subsequently, the new luxury tax rules in the incoming collective bargaining agreement were also highlighted as requiring team adjustments. Finally, the inaugural in-season tournament was seen as a significant change, raising expectations and adding further excitement to the NBA season.
The annual survey of the NBA’s general managers provides valuable insights into their predictions for the upcoming season. From conference favorites to individual player accolades, coaching assessments, offseason acquisitions, and rule changes, the survey offers basketball fans an intriguing preview of what to expect on the court this season.
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