Answering the 2021–22 GM Survey
This entire blog is basically me playing GM so let’s get this shit. Also I always love the GM survey not because I find the answers insightful but because you get to see how truly dumb some GMs are. Despite each GM typically only proving one answer per question, I will be providing a top three answers, in order, so that no one feels left out.
PREDICTIONS
Which team will win the 2022 NBA Finals?
Milwaukee, Brooklyn, LA Lakers
Eastern Conference Rankings
Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Atlanta
Western Conference Rankings
LA Lakers, Phoenix, Denver
PLAYERS
Who will win the 2021–22 MVP?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2021–22?
De’Aaron Fox, Anthony Edwards, Jaren Jackson Jr.
*Note: for the below positional questions, each player only counts for one position, whichever he plays (based on last season and projecting for this season) the majority of the time. For example, James Harden is currently a point guard while Kyrie Irving is a shooting guard, etc.
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum
Who is the best center in the NBA?
Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
Chicago, Boston, Miami
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
Kyle Lowry (MIA), Patty Mills (BKN), Al Horford (Boston)
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
Larry Nance Jr. (POR), Patty Mills (BKN), Al Horford (BOS)
Which team will be most improved in 2021–22?
Golden State (9th in the West), Chicago (11th in the East), Boston (7th in the East)
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
Danny Ainge retiring/Brad Stevens hired as GM, Philadelphia not trading Ben Simmons immediately after the season ended before he could not show up to training camp, DeMar DeRozan signing with Chicago
ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL
Who will win the 2021–22 Rookie of the Year?
Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
Sharife Cooper (48 to ATL), Cameron Thomas (27 to BKN), Moses Moody (14 to GSW)
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid
Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?
Marc Gasol, Nando de Colo, Nikola Mirotic
DEFENSE
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
Kawhi Leonard, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
Jrue Holiday, Marcus Smart, Kawhi Leonard
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo
Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?
Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday
Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?
Milwaukee, Miami, LA Clippers
COACHES
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
Erik Spoelstra (MIA), Steve Kerr (GSW), Monty Williams (PHO)
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
Gregg Popovich (SAS), Monty Williams (PHO), Steve Kerr (GSW)
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
Erik Spoelstra (MIA), Nick Nurse (TOR), Tyronn Lue (LAC)
Which head coach runs the best offense?
Steve Kerr (GSW), Erik Spoelstra (MIA), Monty Williams (PHO)
Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?
Mike Budenholzer (MIL), Erik Spoelstra (MIA), Tom Thibodeau (NYK)
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his new team?
Rick Carlisle (CHI), Ime Udoka (BOS), Jamahl Mosley (ORL)
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
Darvin Ham (BKN), Sam Cassell (PHI), Mike D’Antoni (NOP)
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
Chris Paul (PHO), Patty Mills (BKN), Malcolm Brogdon (IND)
MISCELLANEOUS
Which team is the most fun to watch?
Brooklyn, Golden State, Denver
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
Denver, Golden State, Utah (because of the racism)
Which team has the most promising young core?
Boston, Denver, Atlanta
Which player is the most athletic?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zach LaVine, Anthony Edwards
Which player is the best pure shooter?
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
De’Aaron Fox, Ja Morant, Kyrie Irving
Which player is the best at moving without the ball?
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Duncan Robinson
Which player is the best passer?
Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Chris Paul
Which player is the best leader?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, LeBron James
Who is the most versatile player in the NBA?
Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
LeBron James, Chris Paul, Draymond Green
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard
What rule (regarding play, schedule, Draft/Lottery, playoff format, etc.) most needs to change?
Shorter/less compact schedule, free agency before draft, extra coach’s challenge when successful/doesn’t cost a timeout regardless. Glad they fixed the shooter initiating contact foul call or else that would have easily been #1.
QUESTIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT
What bench player makes the biggest impact when he enters the game?
Joe Ingles, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson
Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
Steven Adams, Marcus Smart, Giannis Antetokounmpo
