NBA GMs: Not As Smart As You Might Think

NBA.com polled 30 GMs about the upcoming season:

Which team will win NBA Finals 2010?
1. Los Angeles Lakers 60.7%
2. Boston Celtics 17.9%
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 17.9%
4. San Antonio Spurs 3.6%

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Boston Celtics 50.0%
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 42.9%
3. Orlando Magic 7.1%

Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. Los Angeles Lakers 75.9%
2. San Antonio Spurs 24.1%

While I'm not surprised the Lakers are the favorite to win the title, I am surprised they are the overwhelming favorite. 

The
Magic get little respect in this survey (cue the annual Stan Van Gundy
"we get no respect speech") and rightfully so. But if the GMs don't
believe Orlando is a serious title contender, how can they say the
Magic made better off-season personnel moves than the Celtics?

Which team made the best overall moves?
1. San Antonio 71.2%
2. Orlando 17.3%
Also receiving votes:
Cleveland, Toronto, Washington

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Vince Carter, Orlando 25.0%
2. Ron Artest, L.A. Lakers 14.3%
2. Richard Jefferson, San Antonio 14.3%
2. Shaquille O'Neal, Cleveland 14.3%
2. Rasheed Wallace, Boston 14.3%
6. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers 7.1%
Also receiving votes:
Randy Foye & Mike Miller, Washington; Shawn Marion, Dallas; Emeka Okafor, New Orleans

The GMs are polled in a variety of categories. Rajon Rondo gets some love when the survey shifts to defense, but consider yourself warned; there's a ton of Kobe-love there.

Arrow to top