Tonight let’s take an in-depth look at ten of the questions and answers on the annual NBA.com General Manager’s survey. Surveys are a great way to collect data, especially when companies use software to do this, like the one from https://www.qualtrics.com/free-account/. By creating an online survey, the General Manager is able to send this survey out to many NBA fans who can all have their say. There is some interesting stuff here, and obviously all of these guys know something about basketball (Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, Pat Riley, and Phil Jackson). So, while we respect their take on the NBA, we don’t always agree with it. So, here we go ….
I have extracted the answers to 10 of these questions below and provided the Hoops Business slant on them. For the full survey, go to this link.
http://www.nba.com/news/features/john_schuhmann/nba-com-2015-16-gm-survey/
Question # 1 – Which team will win the 2016 NBA Finals?
1. Cleveland — 53.6%
2. San Antonio — 25.0%
3. Golden State — 17.9%
4. Oklahoma City — 3.6%
Last year: San Antonio — 46.2%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. We also believe that Cleveland and san Antonio are the two favorites, but the majority of us believe that San Antonio rather than Cleveland will win the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.
Question #2 – Who will win the 2015-16 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 39.3%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 25.0%
3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 10.7%
James Harden, Houston — 10.7%
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 7.1%
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 7.1%
Last year: LeBron James — 67.9%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. The answer to this question relates directly to the first question, even though the MVP is chosen prior to the playoffs. If Cleveland wins the East (and we believe they will), LeBron is a prime candidate for MVP. However, if the Spurs win the West and LaMarcus Aldridge prospers under Popp like we think he will, look for Aldridge to garner a huge share of the MVP.
Question # 3 – If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 86.2%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 6.9%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 6.9%
Last year: LeBron James — 50.0%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Yes, Anthony Davis is young and improving, while LeBron may have reached his plateau.
Question # 4 – Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 55.2%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 24.1%
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 17.2%
4. Mike Conley, Memphis — 3.4%
Last year: Chris Paul — 71.4%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. We agree. Steph Curry is poised for another great year and is at the summit of NBA point guards.
Question # 5 – Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston — 79.3%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State — 10.3%
Also receiving votes: Jimmy Butler, Chicago; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Last year: James Harden — 63.0%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Once again, we agree.
Question # 6 – Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 89.3%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 8.9%
3. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 1.8%
Last year: LeBron James — 75.0%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Once again, we agree although we wish LeBron was less ball dominant and would let Kyrie Irving run the offense more.
Question # 7 – Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 82.1%
2. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers — 7.1%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 7.1%
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 3.6%
Last year: LaMarcus Aldridge & Blake Griffin — 25.0%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Again, we agree. Davis is going to get better and better.
Question # 8 – Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 65.5%
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento — 13.8%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 6.9%
Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 6.9%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers — 6.9%
Last year: Dwight Howard — 42.9%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Again, we agree. Dwight Howard has fallen considerably over the last two years. We are also surprised Joakim Noah is not on this list.
Question # 9 – Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. San Antonio — 79.3%
2. Houston — 6.9%
L.A. Clippers — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: L.A. Lakers, Portland
Last year: Cleveland — 89.3%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Yes, San Antonio by far. The additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West strengthen the team considerably as the Spurs begin the transition from the Duncan/Parker era to the Leonard/Aldridge era.
Question # 10 – Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 79.3%
2. Ty Lawson, Houston — 10.3%
3. Greg Monroe, Milwaukee — 6.9%
4. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers — 3.4%
Last year: LeBron James — 96.3%
HOOPS BUSINESS SLANT. Yes, Aldridge was the top prize in this year’s player wars, and we believe he will prosper considerably from Duncan’s mentoring and Popp’s coaching.
More to follow tomorrow!
About the authors – Steve Harvey, aka “Rookie”, Lawrence Norman, aka Sarge, Doug Petty, aka Dr. Psych, and Bill Harvey, aka Stats, are all NBA fanatics and lovers of the game.