'15-16 RealGM version of GM survey

[JLei]

NBA Champion? Cleveland Cavaliers
WC Champion? Golden State Warriors
EC Champion? Cleveland Cavaliers
MVP? Lebron James
Build a franchise around? Lebron James (money reasons/ he gets me closest to a title now) but player wise it's Anthony Davis by a long shot
Forces most adjustments? Stephen Curry
Breakout season? Andre Drummond
Best PG? Stephen Curry
Best SG? James Harden
Best SF? Lebron James
Best PF? Anthony Davis
Best C? DeMarcus Cousins

Team with best offseason? San Antonio Spurs
Biggest acquisition? LaMarcus Aldridge
Underrated acquisition? Tyson Chandler to Phoenix
Most improved team? New Orleans Pelicans (Gentry + Davis continuing his ascent)
Most surprising move? Tyson Chandler to Phoenix

ROY? Jahlil Okafor
Best of the rookies in 5 years? Karl-Anthony Towns
Biggest steal in the Draft? Emmanuel Mudiay
Best international player? Marc Gasol
International breakout this season? Giannis Antentokoumpo
Best international player not in NBA? Dario Saric

Best defensive player? Kawhi Leonard
Best perimeter defender? Kawhi Leonard
Best interior defender? Rudy Gobert
Best defensive team? San Antonio Spurs

Best head coach? Greg Popovich
Best motivator? Greg Popovich
Best at in-game adjustments? Greg Popovich
Best offensive coach? Greg Popovich
Best defensive coach? Greg Popovich
Best assistant coach? Ron Adams
Best coaching prospect among players? Chris Paul

Most fun team to watch? Golden State Warriors
Best HCA? Golden State Warriors
Most athletic player? Anthony Davis
Best pure shooter? Stephen Curry
Fastest with the ball? Russell Westbrook
Best off-ball mover? Kyle Korver
Best at getting own shot? Stephen Curry
Best offensive rebounder? Andre Drummond
Best passer? Chris Paul
Best in open floor? Lebron James
Best finisher? Anthony Davis
Most with the least? Stephen Curry
Toughest player? Lebron James (meh)
Best leader? Lebron James
BBIQ? Chris Paul
Game on the line? Stephen Curry
Role player? Draymond Green

[Dr Spaceman]

NBA Champion?Golden State Warriors - I view them as essentially lapping the field last year, and experience means situations like the first 3 games of the MEM/CLE series are less likely. I can point to a legit flaw on every other contender; GSW has no flaws, relatively speaking, and they were better than everyone last year.

WC Champion?GSW

EC Champion? Cleveland Cavaliers- there's really no reasonable way to argue otherwise

MVP?Anthony Davis - people are just ready, and it's well deserved.

Build a franchise around? Anthony Davis

Forces most adjustments?Stephen Curry- quite handily. Ill echo that I've never seen anything like the 2015 Finals.

Breakout season?Kawhi Leonard - he's ready to break out offensively. If he can be a volume pick and roll handler, he'll break into elite offensive player territory. I expect him to be in the MVP conversation this year.

Best PG?Stephen Curry
Best SG?James Harden
Best SF?LeBron James
Best PF?Anthony Davis
Best C?Tim Duncan- I think having a front court partner like Aldridge is going to open the game up a lot for him actually. No reason to think he'll stop ticking now.

Team with best offseason?San Antonio Spurs
Biggest acquisition?LaMarcus Aldridge
Underrated acquisition?Ty Lawson- he fixes so many of their issues offensively. I'm more comfortable betting on him than Josh Smith.

Most improved team?Utah Jazz
Most surprising move?Monta Ellis- that was a weird one and I have no idea what the Pacers are up to.

ROY?D'Angelo Russell- I think he's pretty NBA ready actually. Reading the floor is tough for a rookie but he has Clarkson, Randle, and Kobe who can take the ball from him when he struggles. I think his shooting is great and Lillard isn't a bad comparison.

Best of the rookies in 5 years?Karl Anthony Towns
Biggest steal in the Draft?Justice Winslow
Best international player?Marc Gasol
International breakout this season?Nikola Mirotic- he's going to get the starting job and the way the new Bulls play will be hugely beneficial. IMO Gobert has already broken out.

Best international player not in NBA?

Best defensive player?Rudy Gobert
Best perimeter defender?Kawhi Leonard
Best interior defender?Rudy Gobert
Best defensive team?Utah Jazz- no clear favorite, they were elite last year and have the personnel.

Best head coach?Gregg Popovich
Best motivator?Steve Kerr
Best at in-game adjustments?Steve Kerr
Best offensive coach?Alvin Gentry
Best defensive coach?Gregg Popovich
Best assistant coach?Ron Adams
Best coaching prospect among players? I couldn't give an answer that would satisfy me.

Most fun team to watch?San Antonio Spurs
Best HCA?GSW- although I'd like to make special mention of Memphis, who were outrageous in the 2015 playoffs

Most athletic player?Anthony Davis
Best pure shooter?Stephen Curry
Fastest with the ball?John Wall- I actually think most of Westbrook's perceived quickness is just him being super strong and barreling through contact

Best off-ball mover?Kyle Korver
Best at getting own shot?Stephen Curry
Best offensive rebounder?DeAndre Jordan
Best passer?Chris Paul
Best in open floor?James Harden - ruthless at finding the corners, draws fouls against 3 defenders, crazy shooting range

Best finisher?LeBron James
Most with the least?Kyle Korver
Toughest player?Russell Westbrook
Best leader?Tim Duncan- heart emoji. Always and forever
BBIQ?Tim Duncan
Game on the line?Stephen Curry
Role player?Danny Green

[Clyde Frazier]

NBA Champion? I don't play that game...
WC Champion? "
EC Champion? "
MVP? Curry (undecided on this one, so why not go back to back ala Nash? Think pelicans still won't have quite enough wins for AD to take it)
Build a franchise around? Anthony Davis
Forces most adjustments? LeBron
Breakout season? Gallinari (the hope that he's finally healthy...)
Best PG? Curry (still think Paul is right there, tho)
Best SG? Harden
Best SF? LeBron
Best PF? Anthony Davis
Best C? Cousins

Team with best offseason? Spurs
Biggest acquisition? Aldridge
Underrated acquisition? Robin Lopez
Most improved team? Thunder
Most surprising move? DeAndre turning on Dallas and heading back to LA

ROY? Okafor
Best of the rookies in 5 years? Towns
Biggest steal in the Draft? Mudiay
Best international player? Marc Gasol
International breakout this season? Gobert
Best international player not in NBA? Saric?

Best defensive player? Kawhi
Best perimeter defender? Tony Allen
Best interior defender? Bogut
Best defensive team? Warriors

Best head coach? Pop
Best motivator? Pop
Best at in-game adjustments? Carlisle
Best offensive coach? Pop
Best defensive coach? Not sure
Best assistant coach? McMillan
Best coaching prospect among players? Conley

Most fun team to watch? Warriors
Best HCA? Warriors
Most athletic player? Westbrook
Best pure shooter? Curry
Fastest with the ball? Wall
Best off-ball mover? Korver
Best at getting own shot? Curry
Best offensive rebounder? Drummond
Best passer? Paul
Best in open floor? LeBron
Best finisher? LeBron
Most with the least? Tony Allen
Toughest player? Westbrook
Best leader? Duncan
BBIQ? LeBron
Game on the line? Curry
Role player? Not sure

[JLei]

http://www.nba.com/news/features/john_schuhmann/nba-com-2015-16-gm-survey/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Results of the GM survey. Some interesting results.

> 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%

Kind of goes with the sentiment that most smart people are super skeptical of the Warriors and whether that was actually an elite champion. Most of the time the champion is a heavy favourite among the GMs. I'm with that notion that they are not one of the best teams in history (like their record indicates) and would lose to many recent champions in a playoff series (14 Spurs, Healthy 13 Heat, 08 Celtics, 09 Lakers).

> Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 62.1%
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State -- 20.7%
3. James Harden, Houston -- 6.9%
Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.9%
5. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento -- 3.4%
Last year: LeBron James -- 76.9%

Surprised Curry isn't higher/ winning out right. But Lebron is the post 2000s MJ so not surprised at the respect level. And he puts crazy pressure on the defense. Still it's clear as an offensive question (which this is) there is no other player that exerts the level of pressure Curry does. Might be a little disrespect the GMs have of him and don't put him on that tier yet.

> 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%

Maybe taken literally since Chris Paul is a better "point guard". Or GMs disrespect Curry and whether he is actually that good.

> Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio -- 27.6%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 17.2%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 13.8%
4. Tony Allen, Memphis -- 10.3%
5. Draymond Green, Golden State -- 6.9%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers -- 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Rudy Gobert, Utah; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Andre Iguodala, Golden State
Last year: Joakim Noah -- 35.7%

How Lebron still gets votes is crazy. Though on any one given possession he could still argued to be the best non big but overall no way. Anthony Davis getting so much respect is also interesting. Surprised it's all wing players and very few big men.

[The-Power]

Some strange results.

1. OKC, to me, gets a little disrespected. Maybe GMs question their health, but that would be the only legitimate explanation in my eyes. They are right up there with GSW and SAS and I, personally, have them ahead of both as long as they can stay healthy.
2. It strikes me as odd that GMs believe in LeBron winning the MVP. Maybe they believe he wants to prove doubters wrong or they are simply being respectful but I don't think LeBron wants to prove anything anymore during the RS. Cleveland will take the east, even with some injury-concerns, so I don't see LeBron playing as the MVP this season.
3. As the majority here I believe Curry changes the way a team has to defend the most of all players in the league by a healthy margin. The GMs apparently don't believe so, for whatever reasons.
4. Still some votes for Davis and a potential breakout-season? He is going to improve, sure. But last year was an outstanding year so I would consider last year to be his breakout-year.
5. There is still one GM who thinks of Curry as a SG. This shouldn't even be possible. Just because he can play off-ball or as an SG doesn't mean he isn't a PG. He is, there is no doubt about that, it's his official position on his team. Voting for him as a SG is disrespectful to him. The vote for Durant is also weird.
6. Gasol being voted head and shoulders above his competition surprised me, to be honest. Maybe most GMs thought of him as slightly ahead of someone like Cousins but the end result looks too lopsided in my eyes.
7. Okafor as the ROY isn't a totally unreasonable choice. But the distance to other players surprised me (maybe because I'm not that high on him), but so did the no-votes for Stanley Johnson. I also can't imagine Russell being particularly close to winning the award - he has to improve his shot in order to blossom in the league. It has been really good in college but his shot looks too flat and who knows if he can adjust fast enough - especially given the greater degree of difficulty of pull-up shooting in the NBA - or at all. And his overall scoring game is lacking as well. Right now, he looks (at times) like the playmaker he was in college but not like the scorer.
8. LeBron getting votes as the best defensive player of the year is crazy. Davis might be there this season but the voters seem to have a lot of faith in his improvement on that end. Meanwhile Gobert is being heavily disrespected - do they not study other team's players?
9. Their definition of athleticism, in many cases at least, seems to be a little bit off. Sure, someone like LaVine can jump high but my understanding of athleticism includes aspects like length, strength, etc. and then someone like AD or Giannis would be a much better choice.
10. Curry would deserve some votes for his off-ball movement but I understand the voting when we take frequency and his on-ball duties into account. But if we're simply talking about one possession without the ball, I would trust his movement more than say Klay's - who got the second most votes. Of course Korver deserves to take this one since he's making his living based on moving off-ball.
11. Crawford should not get any votes when it comes to positive (!) impact coming off the bench. He has been great in the past but certainly not last year - just ask some Clippers' fans. If anything, he had a negative impact on his team. This is another vote based exclusively on reputation and not actual play.
12. Role players are broadly defined by most GMs, it seems. Someone like Kawhi isn't a role player in my eyes, neither is Draymond Green, neither is Giannis. But since the term 'role player' isn't definitely defined I guess there is no wrong to an answer.

Overall, I feel like the GMs aren't smarter than some of the quality-posters on this board when it comes to the evaluation of players not on their team. From what I saw the voting on this board seems to be much more accurate and sensible.

[Clyde Frazier]

http://www.nba.com/news/features/john_schuhmann/nba-com-2015-16-gm-survey/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Results of the GM survey. Some interesting results.

> 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%

Kind of goes with the sentiment that most smart people are super skeptical of the Warriors and whether that was actually an elite champion. Most of the time the champion is a heavy favourite among the GMs. I'm with that notion that they are not one of the best teams in history (like their record indicates) and would lose to many recent champions in a playoff series (14 Spurs, Healthy 13 Heat, 08 Celtics, 09 Lakers).

I'd still consider the warriors the favorites to repeat until proven otherwise. I selfishly would've loved to see them play the spurs or clippers, but I don't think they had a cakewalk to the championship, either. I also think more GMs picked the cavs simply because it will be much easier for them to get out of the east vs. say the top 4 in the west. Probability is on their side.

[Texas Chuck]

I'd still consider the warriors the favorites to repeat until proven otherwise. I selfishly would've loved to see them play the spurs or clippers, but I don't think they had a cakewalk to the championship, either. I also think more GMs picked the cavs simply because it will be much easier for them to get out of the east vs. say the top 4 in the west. Probability is on their side.

yeah I think the Warriors are the best team in the league. And I'm not sure I'd call Cleveland even the 2nd best

But they will have to win at least 2 really tough series just to get out of the West and depending on seedings due to inevitable injuries, maybe all 3. Meanwhile its very possible Cleveland won't face any serious challengers in the East. Be interesting to see how the Splitter/Carroll swap works for Atlanta, Washington lost Truth, Miami looks pretty impressive on paper, but can Whiteside do that again, can Wade and Deng stay healthy and not regress further? Who knows with Chicago? We know Rose can't be depended on, but what about Noah?

But if the Warriors are healthy, some team is going to have to play really well and run hot to take 4 of 7 from them. And I say that thinking that Houston, San Antonio, OKC, and the Clippers are all really really good teams. But GSW is special imo.

[JLei]

I'd still consider the warriors the favorites to repeat until proven otherwise. I selfishly would've loved to see them play the spurs or clippers, but I don't think they had a cakewalk to the championship, either. I also think more GMs picked the cavs simply because it will be much easier for them to get out of the east vs. say the top 4 in the west. Probability is on their side.

yeah I think the Warriors are the best team in the league. And I'm not sure I'd call Cleveland even the 2nd best

But they will have to win at least 2 really tough series just to get out of the West and depending on seedings due to inevitable injuries, maybe all 3. Meanwhile its very possible Cleveland won't face any serious challengers in the East. Be interesting to see how the Splitter/Carroll swap works for Atlanta, Washington lost Truth, Miami looks pretty impressive on paper, but can Whiteside do that again, can Wade and Deng stay healthy and not regress further? Who knows with Chicago? We know Rose can't be depended on, but what about Noah?

But if the Warriors are healthy, some team is going to have to play really well and run hot to take 4 of 7 from them. And I say that thinking that Houston, San Antonio, OKC, and the Clippers are all really really good teams. But GSW is special imo.

I thought the Warriors were the best team for the majority of last year and are special. However in the second half of the year the Cavs and Spurs were playing better. Cavs with the big 3 in the lineup were like 33-3 after Lebron's break and running the best offense in NBA history (115.5O 104.2D) while improving on defense and the Spurs were amazing as well. Both teams when healthy kicked the **** out of GSW @ home during their runs.

You beat who's in front of you of course but they haven't earned that respect that the Spurs and Lebron get and it's easy to see why.

You all watched that Finals. They were a few lucky bounces in game 1 from being down 3-0 to Lebron and a bunch of role players. The first 3 games Cleveland had control of the tempo the entire game. Obviously they figured it out and crushed that sad remnant of a Cavs team after that but many smart people already decided they would have gotten soundly beaten by a fully healthy Cavs team (I'm in agreement).

I think the GM's are being ambitious in their presumption of health for the Cavs but not about the quality. But when healthy with the big 3 in they were as good as the Warriors/ anyone else and they have a free road to the Finals in the East.

[ReaLiez]

NBA Champion?
Cavs
WC Champion?
Spurs
EC Champion?
Cavs
MVP?
Anthony Davis
Build a franchise around?
Davis
Forces most adjustments?
LeBron James
Breakout season?
Giannis
Best PG?
Curry
Best SG?
Harden
Best SF?
LBJ
Best PF?
Davis
Best C?
Cousins

Team with best offseason?
Spurs
Biggest acquisition?
LMA
Underrated acquisition?
Pierce
Most improved team?
Pelicans
Most surprising move?
LMA

ROY?
Okafor/Randle
Best of the rookies in 5 years?
Randle
Biggest steal in the Draft?
Winslow
Best international player?
Wiggins
International breakout this season?
Wiggins
Best international player not in NBA?
Saric
Best defensive player?
Leonard
Best perimeter defender?
Leonard
Best interior defender?
Marc Gasol
Best defensive team?
Spurs

Best head coach? POP
Best motivator? POP
Best at in-game adjustments? POP
Best offensive coach? POP
Best defensive coach? POP
Best assistant coach? POP
Best coaching prospect among players? Lowry

Most fun team to watch? GSW
Best HCA? Raptors
Most athletic player? Westbrook
Best pure shooter? Curry
Fastest with the ball? Wall
Best off-ball mover? Korver
Best at getting own shot? Durant
Best offensive rebounder? Drummond
Best passer? Paul
Best in open floor? Westbrook
Best finisher? LBJ
Most with the least? Lowry/DeRozan
Toughest player? Ibaka
Best leader? Curry
BBIQ? Curry
Game on the line? Curry
Role player? Dgreen

[DreDay]

NBA Champion? Warriors
WC Champion? Warriors
EC Champion? Cavs
MVP? Davis
Build a franchise around? Davis
Forces most adjustments? Curry
Breakout season? Giannis
Best PG? Curry
Best SG? Harden
Best SF? LeBron
Best PF? Davis
Best C? Cousins

Team with best offseason? Spurs
Biggest acquisition? Aldridge
Underrated acquisition? O'Quinn
Most improved team? Bucks
Most surprising move? Bucks trade for Vasquez

ROY? Okafor
Best of the rookies in 5 years? Porzingis
Biggest steal in the Draft? Portis
Best international player? N/A
International breakout this season? N/A
Best international player not in NBA? N/A

Best defensive player? Leonard
Best perimeter defender? Leonard
Best interior defender? Bogut
Best defensive team? Warriors

Best head coach? Pop
Best motivator? Pop
Best at in-game adjustments? Kerr
Best offensive coach? Gentry
Best defensive coach? Pop
Best assistant coach? Adams
Best coaching prospect among players? Wall

Most fun team to watch? Warriors
Best HCA? Warriors
Most athletic player? Westbrook
Best pure shooter? Curry
Fastest with the ball? Westbrook
Best off-ball mover? Korver
Best at getting own shot? Curry
Best offensive rebounder? Drummond
Best passer? Paul
Best in open floor? Westbrook
Best finisher? LeBron
Most with the least? Harden
Toughest player? N/A
Best leader? Duncan
BBIQ? Paul
Game on the line? Curry
Role player? Iguodala

[Clyde Frazier]

ROY?
Okafor/Randle
Best of the rookies in 5 years?
Randle

Randle isn't eligible for ROY having played in 1 game last season.

[Doctor MJ]

Some strange results.

Yup every year. It's a reminder that the people in the biz just don't think through this stuff as much as we do. Sometimes they pick things that add insight, but at least as often there are things that just seem behind the curve.

2. It strikes me as odd that GMs believe in LeBron winning the MVP. Maybe they believe he wants to prove doubters wrong or they are simply being respectful but I don't think LeBron wants to prove anything anymore during the RS. Cleveland will take the east, even with some injury-concerns, so I don't see LeBron playing as the MVP this season.
3. As the majority here I believe Curry changes the way a team has to defend the most of all players in the league by a healthy margin. The GMs apparently don't believe so, for whatever reasons.

I don't mind people picking LeBron for MVP though I disagree, but not siding with Curry for defensive adjustments is simply not putting 2 & 2 together. The finals made very, very clear which of the two players forced the defense further out of their comfort zone. You can still argue that LeBron's the more effective offensive player, but that's not what the question was.

4. Still some votes for Davis and a potential breakout-season? He is going to improve, sure. But last year was an outstanding year so I would consider last year to be his breakout-year.

It's bizarre. Davis was quite clearly the breakout player of '13-14...and then they voted him as the lead choice to "break out" in '14-15. How can that make sense?

8. LeBron getting votes as the best defensive player of the year is crazy. Davis might be there this season but the voters seem to have a lot of faith in his improvement on that end. Meanwhile Gobert is being heavily disrespected - do they not study other team's players?

The lack of Gobert is criminal. This isn't a guy we're saying is going to turn his team's defense around next year, this is a guy who already did that last year for like half a season. How do you miss that?

[Doctor MJ]

I thought the Warriors were the best team for the majority of last year and are special. However in the second half of the year the Cavs and Spurs were playing better. Cavs with the big 3 in the lineup were like 33-3 after Lebron's break and running the best offense in NBA history (115.5O 104.2D) while improving on defense and the Spurs were amazing as well. Both teams when healthy kicked the **** out of GSW @ home during their runs.

You beat who's in front of you of course but they haven't earned that respect that the Spurs and Lebron get and it's easy to see why.

You all watched that Finals. They were a few lucky bounces in game 1 from being down 3-0 to Lebron and a bunch of role players. The first 3 games Cleveland had control of the tempo the entire game. Obviously they figured it out and crushed that sad remnant of a Cavs team after that but many smart people already decided they would have gotten soundly beaten by a fully healthy Cavs team (I'm in agreement).

I think the GM's are being ambitious in their presumption of health for the Cavs but not about the quality. But when healthy with the big 3 in they were as good as the Warriors/ anyone else and they have a free road to the Finals in the East.

The thing to me is that you can argue that the Warriors were a few lucky breaks from getting so far behind in the Finals that they couldn't come back...but there's no real denying that once the Warriors "figured it out", the series was a blow out. And "figuring it out" isn't something that you have to do every series for the rest of history. This was the Warriors first march all the way through the gauntlet and Curry is still feeling out just how good he is. I just don't see any good reason for the skepticism people point toward the Warriors.

Not saying it's crazy to pick the Cavs or the Spurs to win the title, because I'm tempted to, but this tendency to call the Warriors a champ with an asterisk to me seems insane, and I'm inclined to think it goes back to people being dead sure that you can't win playing like the Warriors play...even after they've seen the Warriors win. Cognitive dissonance so extreme it warrants therapy.

[JLei]

I thought the Warriors were the best team for the majority of last year and are special. However in the second half of the year the Cavs and Spurs were playing better. Cavs with the big 3 in the lineup were like 33-3 after Lebron's break and running the best offense in NBA history (115.5O 104.2D) while improving on defense and the Spurs were amazing as well. Both teams when healthy kicked the **** out of GSW @ home during their runs.

You beat who's in front of you of course but they haven't earned that respect that the Spurs and Lebron get and it's easy to see why.

You all watched that Finals. They were a few lucky bounces in game 1 from being down 3-0 to Lebron and a bunch of role players. The first 3 games Cleveland had control of the tempo the entire game. Obviously they figured it out and crushed that sad remnant of a Cavs team after that but many smart people already decided they would have gotten soundly beaten by a fully healthy Cavs team (I'm in agreement).

I think the GM's are being ambitious in their presumption of health for the Cavs but not about the quality. But when healthy with the big 3 in they were as good as the Warriors/ anyone else and they have a free road to the Finals in the East.

The thing to me is that you can argue that the Warriors were a few lucky breaks from getting so far behind in the Finals that they couldn't come back...but there's no real denying that once the Warriors "figured it out", the series was a blow out. And "figuring it out" isn't something that you have to do every series for the rest of history. This was the Warriors first march all the way through the gauntlet and Curry is still feeling out just how good he is. I just don't see any good reason for the skepticism people point toward the Warriors.

Not saying it's crazy to pick the Cavs or the Spurs to win the title, because I'm tempted to, but this tendency to call the Warriors a champ with an asterisk to me seems insane, and I'm inclined to think it goes back to people being dead sure that you can't win playing like the Warriors play...even after they've seen the Warriors win. Cognitive dissonance so extreme it warrants therapy.

Oh for sure. They kicked the **** out of that Cavs team once they figured out how to beat them. They just looked so vulnerable against a team they were so superior to on paper given the injuries that to me it's not surprising why they get disrespected by knowledgable NBA people. It's the feeling I get right away rewatching that series. How the **** were you guys almost down 3-0 to Lebron and bunch of role players. You guys can't really be that good is the feeling that you get watching it you just made an adjustment against a team that had no plan B that you should be way better than.

And you are for sure right on your second point. Which is reflected in the rest of the polls disrespect for how damn good Stephen Curry is. He should be winning the adjustments poll and damn near 100% for the point guard one as well. People are skeptical of him and the Warriors by proxy of is he really an MVP?

I don't give the title an asterisk at all personally they are a very worthy champion and team. The this team is one of the 10 GOATs that the analytics people want to put them in.... My eyes say no fu cking way.

[bondom34]

Some strange results.

5. There is still one GM who thinks of Curry as a SG. This shouldn't even be possible. Just because he can play off-ball or as an SG doesn't mean he isn't a PG. He is, there is no doubt about that, it's his official position on his team. Voting for him as a SG is disrespectful to him. The vote for Durant is also weird.

Also noticed this. Its bizarre to me for both, Durant hasn't been a SG since PJ Carlisemo was coach, Curry never really was. Again I think this is sort of the NBA version of the college football coaches poll, where they're smart but don't get to see every team as much as maybe some media members do because they're so focused on their own business. At least I hope thats a reason.

[GSP]

NBA Champion? Spurs
WC Champion? Spurs
EC Champion? Cavs
MVP? Davis
Build a franchise around? Davis
Forces most adjustments? Lebron
Breakout season? Mccollum
Best PG? Cp3
Best SG? Harden
Best SF? Kd
Best PF? Davis
Best C? Cousins

Team with best offseason? Spurs
Biggest acquisition? Aldridge
Underrated acquisition? Amir to Boston
Most improved team? Magic
Most surprising move? Monta to Pacers

ROY? Towns
Best of the rookies in 5 years? Towns
Biggest steal in the Draft? Winslow
Best international player? Marc
International breakout this season? Gallinari
Best international player not in NBA? Saric

Best defensive player? Tony
Best perimeter defender? Tony
Best interior defender? Gobert
Best defensive team? Jazz

Best head coach? Brad Stevens
Best motivator? Doc
Best at in-game adjustments? Brad Stevens
Best offensive coach? Hornacek
Best defensive coach? Pop
Best assistant coach? Ron Adams
Best coaching prospect among players? Ginobili

Most fun team to watch? Okc
Best HCA? Golden State
Most athletic player? Westbrook
Best pure shooter? Steph
Fastest with the ball? Wall or Lawson
Best off-ball mover? Korver
Best at getting own shot? Steph
Best offensive rebounder? Andre Drummond
Best passer? Rubio
Best in open floor? Wall
Best finisher? Davis
Most with the least? Unclear what this means...........
Toughest player? James Johnson
Best leader? Kg
BBIQ? Ginobili
Game on the line? Kd
Role player? Danny Green

[giordunk]

NBA Champion? Spurs
WC Champion? Spurs
EC Champion? Cavaliers
MVP? Durant
Build a franchise around? Davis
Forces most adjustments? Curry
Breakout season? Jeremy Lin (sustains a high level of play this time)
Best PG? Curry
Best SG? Harden
Best SF? Bron
Best PF? Davis
Best C? Cousins

Team with best offseason? Spurs
Biggest acquisition? LMA
Underrated acquisition? Jeremy Lin
Most improved team? Pelicans
Most surprising move? DJ back to LAC

ROY? Mudiay
Best of the rookies in 5 years? Towns
Biggest steal in the Draft? Kaminsky will be pretty good
Best international player? Marc Gasol
International breakout this season? Giannis?
Best international player not in NBA? Teodosic

Best defensive player? Draymond
Best perimeter defender? Kawhi
Best interior defender? Gobert
Best defensive team? Warriors

Best head coach? Pop
Best motivator? Kerr
Best at in-game adjustments? Pop
Best offensive coach? Pop
Best defensive coach? Pop (being lazy here)
Best assistant coach? Ron Adams
Best coaching prospect among players? Tony Parker

Most fun team to watch? Warriors
Best HCA? Warriors
Most athletic player? Westbrook
Best pure shooter? Steph
Fastest with the ball? Wall
Best off-ball mover? Korver
Best at getting own shot? LeBron
Best offensive rebounder? Drummond
Best passer? Paul
Best in open floor? LeBron
Best finisher? LeBron
Most with the least? Steph
Toughest player? Draymond
Best leader? Timmy
BBIQ? LeBron
Game on the line? LeBron
Role player? Draymond

[Clyde Frazier]

Wow... warriors really not getting much love:

> Fill in the blank: The Golden State Warriors will be __________________ at the end of the 2015-16 season.

David Aldridge, TNT analyst: Watching the Clippers and Cavs in The Finals.

Steve Aschburner, NBA.com: Tuckered out. Because they will play all the way through the conference finals and probably go six or seven games … before falling short against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s a long run, on top of their Finals celebration from June, so they’ll have earned a breather.

Fran Blinebury, NBA.com: Runner-up to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com: Disappointed. The Warriors are obviously contenders, and I think they will have a good season with a lot of accomplishments. Just not the ultimate one.

John Schuhmann, NBA.com: Respected. I wouldn’t take the Warriors over the field at this point and I understand the thinking that they caught some breaks on their way to the championship last season. But this was the best team in the league, by a WIDE margin, all year, finishing No. 1 in defense and No. 2 in offense. They brought back their entire rotation and they’re relatively young. I don’t know how you can pick any other team over them.

Sekou Smith, NBA.com: Fighting it out until the final day. It’s strange to hear so many people, including the decision makers who barely acknowledged them in the GM survey, overlook a crew that was far and away the best team in the league in the regular season last year. All the Warriors did in the playoffs, good fortune or not, is confirm what we saw throughout the 82-game marathon that preceded their title run. They were the best team in the league from wire to wire.

Ian Thomsen, NBA.com: Conference finalists. The Spurs, Clippers and Thunder — along with the Rockets, Grizzlies and Pelicans — are going to emerge as season-long obstacles to the defending champs. In the East the Cavaliers look like a sure thing to return to the NBA Finals; the West is much too competitive to assure a Golden State repeat.

Lang Whitaker, NBA.com’s All Ball blog: The champs (again). Having just returned from Warriors camp, and having spoken to many of their players and front office folk, they have assembled in the Bay with a quiet confidence. They’ve basically brought back the same team they had a season ago, and while I’m sure they’ll miss Steve Kerr while he recuperates from back surgery, I think this season the Warriors can focus a little more on the postseason than the regular season and look more at repeating than anything else. The hunger to repeat is definitely there. And I’m of the mind that until the champs aren’t the champs any longer, they remain on top.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2015/10/21/blogtable-predicting-the-warriors-season/

[NinjaSheppard]

I am really high on the Warriors and all but anything can happen in the West. If during this time last year someone said that the Spurs would be the 6th seed and lose in the first round people would claim that they were being disrespected.

[Doctor MJ]

Oh for sure. They kicked the **** out of that Cavs team once they figured out how to beat them. They just looked so vulnerable against a team they were so superior to on paper given the injuries that to me it's not surprising why they get disrespected by knowledgable NBA people. It's the feeling I get right away rewatching that series. How the **** were you guys almost down 3-0 to Lebron and bunch of role players. You guys can't really be that good is the feeling that you get watching it you just made an adjustment against a team that had no plan B that you should be way better than.

And you are for sure right on your second point. Which is reflected in the rest of the polls disrespect for how damn good Stephen Curry is. He should be winning the adjustments poll and damn near 100% for the point guard one as well. People are skeptical of him and the Warriors by proxy of is he really an MVP?

I don't give the title an asterisk at all personally they are a very worthy champion and team. The this team is one of the 10 GOATs that the analytics people want to put them in.... My eyes say no fu cking way.

I'm fine with saying the '14-15 Warriors were too uneven to be a true GOAT contender, I just don't get the skepticism going forward. If some other team emerges as the best of this era, that team will have to be really damn good.

On another note: Part of what was so astonishing about watching Curry last year is that he still seemed a reluctant superstar. Focusing on the finals again, Curry seemed to be thinking "I can't just shoot the ball every time, that's not what team basketball is"...up until the point where he started thinking "I need to make something happen". I thought Curry was the best player in the world last year, but I think he's still growing into his true capabilities.

Of course as I say that, I picked Anthony Davis as my MVP prediction here. As good as I think Curry will be, Davis is mind-blowing.