It’s an important basketball-istic tradition: every year, just before the resumption of competition, John Schuhmann posts his survey of several NBA leaders. He asks them 50 questions ranging from the best armed team to finish champion to the most reliable player to take a shot at the buzzer. Which ultimately gives us an overall vision of the championship from the point of view of those who make and break the teams.
For us, it’s exciting. And this is an opportunity to bounce back on the various positions taken by GMs. Sometimes to explain them, sometimes to contradict them.
The full survey
The Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites for the title
The real info is that there are perhaps only four franchises that can claim the trophy according to the leaders. The Milwaukee Bucks, who won 43% of the vote, the Golden State Warriors (25%), the Los Angeles Clippers (21%) and the Boston Celtics (11%). We would even have retained only the first three.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his comrades might have celebrated the double if Khris Middleton had not knelt down in the playoffs. Their team is the strongest on paper in the East but it is also one of the most experienced and the one who leaves with the most insurance after the catastrophic end of the Celtics’ offseason.
The Warriors have the team to kill and they may be even more terrifying than last year. The entire Clippers are arguably the only ones who can take them down in the West.
Luka Doncic is touted as the next MVP
And if the MVP trophy went to a European for the fifth year in a row? After Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic (twice each), it is Luka Doncic who would hold the rope, still according to the GMs. He finished at the top of the votes with 48%, ahead of two other internationals: Giannis (34) and Joel Embiid (14). Stephen Curry is at 3% and no other players have been named. It reassures us not to see a Ja Morant or a Devin Booker.
Evan Mobley is highly anticipated
Too ? The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to be under a lot of pressure this season. The leaders see them in sixth place in the East, which is a real possibility (higher up, it seems complicated even if the potential is there). Many of them imagine an explosion of Evan Mobley, already excellent last year.
He is the most cited player (21%) when imagining those who will pass a big milestone in 2022-2023. Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards (17% each) complete the podium.
Luka Doncic among the best NBA players… in 3 different positions!
Second in point guard behind Stephen Curry, second in back behind Devin Booker and third in wing behind Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum but ahead of Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James. In fact, he can do everything so well that the leaders don’t really know where to put him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had the best offseason
That’s what the leaders think. Cleveland dominates the votes: 41% against 17 for Minnesota, Utah and Philadelphia, tied for second. It’s quite funny that the Jazz is mentioned in the same way as the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers. The Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert deals are therefore generally perceived as win-wins. Moreover, the two players are also those perceived as the recruits who will have the most impact this season.
Malcolm Brogdon, the steal of the summer
The former Pacers point guard, the Celtics’ new sixth man, is considered the most underrated rookie of the summer. John Wall (Clippers) and PJ Tucker (Sixers) were also cited.
Paolo Banchero, strongest player of his promotion
And not just because he’s being heralded as the future ROY by GMs. They also named him in the category “the best player of his promotion in five years” ahead of Chet Holmgren and Jaden Ivey. What is especially interesting is that five seasons back, the leaders had voted for Josh Jackson. So distrust.
GMs still don’t understand European basketball
Here is the rant. Every year, it’s the big joke when it comes to naming the best international not to tread an NBA floor. In 2022, it is Victor Wembanyama, 18, who comes first… with 45% of the votes. The hype is fine. Thinking is better. The survey results suggest that despite the openness, despite the narrowing level gap, Americans still have a hard time gauging basketball outside their borders.
Erik Spoelstra is the best coach
Everyone respects him but still no COY trophy for Erik Spoelstra, it’s really a task. The small reward is for Tyronn Lue, cited by 5% of voters and who comes first among the coaches who make the best adjustments during the match.
