The annual NBA General Managers survey is here, and once again tells us nothing of importance. Although every answer is completely based off of opinions, these are the opinions of some guys that really know basketball. Every GM in the Association responded to 56 questions and were not permitted to vote for their team or personnel. This year, beloved GM Chris Wallace is at the helm and answered these questions. As for last year, I don’t think anybody knows who genuinely responded to the questions. Here are a few takeaways from the poll.
Question 18:
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 42.9%
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 25.0%
3. Joakim Noah, Chicago — 17.9%
4. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 10.7%
5. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 3.6%
Wow, how things have changed. In the 2012-13 survey, ensuing what was arguably Marc’s best season statically, only two players received votes in this category. Those players were Dwight Howard (93.3%) and the once dominant Andrew Bynum (6.7%). This year’s results prove the balance between big men in the NBA, but they also prove Marc’s prowess. He is no longer only adored in Memphis and Spain; the entire NBA is aware of his talent now. Garnering respect from the NBA’s GM’s is no easy task, but Marc is now widely regarded as a top 2 center in the NBA.
Question 30:
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Joakim Noah, Chicago — 35.7%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland — 21.4%
3. Dwight Howard, Houston — 14.3%
4. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City — 14.3%
The Grindfather is not a top four defender in the league. I want to be mad. I really do, but I cannot. Tony Allen’s absence in the top 4 is understandable for two reasons. Missing 27 games last season and only starting 28, his on court production was down last year. Last year he received 13.8% of the votes in the 2013-14 survey which was good for 3rd best in the league, and his stats are nearly identical. But, as Grizzlies fans know best, Tony’s importance cannot be measured on a sheet of paper with numbers, it is everything else he does so wonderfully that he could not showcase last year except during the playoffs. The second reason is because the title of best defensive player in the NBA is almost exclusively a big man award now. Since the 1988-89 season, forwards or centers have won every Defensive Player of the Year award, and the hand-check rule in 2004 only made it more difficult for guards to walk away with the award.
Question 31:
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 25.0%
2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 21.4%
3. Tony Allen, Memphis — 17.9%
4. Jimmy Butler, Chicago — 7.1%
Andre Iguodala, Golden State — 7.1%
Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 7.1%
Klay Thompson, Golden State — 7.1%
Ah, redemption. His 3rd place finish is a significant drop off from last year’s 1st place finish with 36.7% of the votes, but it is nice to know Tony Allen is still regarded as a top tier defender in the NBA.
Question 32:
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Joakim Noah, Chicago — 39.3%
2. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City — 25.0%
3. Dwight Howard, Houston — 14.3%
4. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 10.7%
In the 2012-13 survey, only 6 months after Marc Gasol’s DPOY press conference, he received a measly 10% of the votes in this category. He will always be slightly underrated on the defensive end because he doesn’t block a vast amount of shots or consistently grab double digit rebounds.
Question 40:
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 24.0%
2. Steve Blake, Portland — 12.0%
3. Kirk Hinrich, Chicago — 8.0%
3. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers — 8.0%
4. Mike Conley, Memphis — 6.0%
4. Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn — 6.0%
This vote shows the respect opposing teams have of Mike Conley’s court presence and basketball IQ. On a more serious note, if Conley ever becomes a coach, we can only hope he dons outfits like this on a nightly basis.
Question 48:
Which player is the best offensive rebounder?
1. Andre Drummond, Detroit — 42.9%
2. Kevin Love, Cleveland — 21.4%
3. Reggie Evans, Sacramento — 7.1%
Kenneth Faried, Denver — 7.1%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers — 7.1%
Zach Randolph, Memphis — 7.1%
No surprise here. Zbo continues to be a machine on the offensive glass.
Question 52:
Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Tony Allen, Memphis — 25.9%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 11.1%
3. David West, Indiana — 11.1%
4. Reggie Evans, Sacramento — 7.4%
4. Kenneth Faried, Denver — 7.4%
I imagine Tony Allen walking up on stage at an awards ceremony with “Go Harder” by Future playing in the background to accept this award. He stands at the microphone with an all white suit and sunglasses on for a while looking into the crowd before simply saying, “It’s all heart. Grit. Grind.” and then flexing for the crowd. Yes, that’s exactly how that scenario would play out.
