Can the Golden State Warriors make it three straight and four out of five? The league’s decision-makers think so, though a few of them have left the door open for a new champ.
In the 17th annual NBA.com GM Survey, the Warriors are once again the overwhelming favorite to win the 2019 championship, just not quite as overwhelming a favorite as they were a year ago, when 93 percent of GMs picked them to repeat. With LeBron James moving to the Western Conference, the GMs have picked the Boston Celtics to return to The Finals after a seven-year absence, and there’s some belief out there that the Celtics can dethrone the champs.
The Celtics are led by the new “best head coach in the NBA,” have one of the league’s most promising young cores, and a star that one GM tabbed to win the MVP this season. But Kyrie Irving was just one of nine MVP candidates, the most in the history of the survey. There’s no consensus on the player GMs would most like to start a franchise either, with four different players receiving at least five votes on that question.
One of those four is LeBron James, who is entering his 16th season and his 13th season as the league’s best small forward, according to GMs. He also remains the player that forces coaches to make the most adjustments, the best passer, the best leader, the most versatile player, and the player with the best basketball IQ.
The GMs responded to 49 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, fans, and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.
PLAYERS
Who will win the 2018-19 Kia MVP?
1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 30%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State –27%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 17%
4. James Harden, Houston – 10%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kyrie Irving, Boston; Kawhi Leonard, Toronto; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Last year: LeBron James – 50%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 30%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 23%
3. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 20%
4. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 17%
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 7%
6. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 3%
Last year: Karl-Anthony Towns – 29%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 60%
2. James Harden, Houston – 20%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10%
4. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 7%
5. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 3%
Last year: LeBron James – 48%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2018-19?
1. Jamal Murray, Denver – 20%
2. Brandon Ingram, L.A. Lakers – 10%
Jayson Tatum, Boston – 10%
4. Aaron Gordon, Orlando – 7%
Kyle Kuzma, L.A. Lakers – 7%
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 7%
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago – 7%
Dejounte Murray, San Antonio – 7%
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 7%
Also receiving votes: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia; Donovan Mitchell, Utah; Kelly Oubre Jr., Washington; Josh Richardson, Miami; Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas; Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota
Last year: Karl-Anthony Towns – 21%
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 57%
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 17%
3. Kyrie Irving, Boston – 10%
Chris Paul, Houston – 10%
5. James Harden, Houston – 7%
Last year: Stephen Curry – 62%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston – 73%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State – 10%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 7%
Also receiving votes: Devin Booker, Phoenix; Paul George, Oklahoma City; Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Last year: James Harden – 83%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 57%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 40%
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 3%
Last year: LeBron James – 61%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 37%
2. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 33%
3. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 17%
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 10%
5. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio – 3%
Last year: Anthony Davis – 41%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 40%
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 33%
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 7%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State; Andre Drummond, Detroit; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Al Horford, Boston; Nikola Jokic, Denver
Last year: Karl-Anthony Towns – 28%
DEFENSE
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Rudy Gobert, Utah – 37%
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 37%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 17%
4. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 7%
5. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 3%
Last year: Kawhi Leonard – 62%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 60%
2. Jimmy Butler, Minnesota – 7%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 7%
Victor Oladipo, Indiana – 7%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Avery Bradley, LA Clippers; Kevin Durant, Golden State; Jrue Holiday, New Orleans; Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City; Klay Thompson, Golden State
Last year: Kawhi Leonard – 72%
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Rudy Gobert, Utah – 80%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 10%
Also receiving votes: Draymond Green, Golden State; Dwight Howard, Washington; DeAndre Jordan, Dallas
Last year: Rudy Gobert – 66%
Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?
1. Draymond Green, Golden State – 53%
2. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 30%
3. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 7%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Jimmy Butler, Minnesota; Marcus Smart, Boston
Last year: N/A
Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?
1. Utah – 45%
2. Boston – 34%
3. Golden State – 17%
4. Oklahoma City – 3%
Last year: Golden State – 55%
