The Pistons were the reigning champs entering the 2004-05 season.
Look back at every NBA GM Survey since 2002.
PREDICTIONS
Which team will win NBA Finals 2005?
1. San Antonio Spurs – 45.2%
2. Detroit Pistons – 33.3%
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – 9.5%
4. Indiana Pacers – 7.1%
5. Miami Heat – 4.8%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 47.6%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 28.6%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland – 14.3%
4. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 9.5%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 81.0%
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 4.8%
3. Allan Houston, New York – 4.8%
4. Reggie Miller, Indiana – 4.8%
5. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 4.8%
Who will win the 2004-05 MVP?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 57.1%
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 19.0%
3. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 14.3%
4. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 9.5%
Which player is the best leader?
1. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 42.9%
2. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 19.0%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 14.3%
> Also receiving votes: Chauncey Billups, Detroit; Vlade Divac, L.A. Lakers; Reggie Miller, Indiana; Steve Nash, Phoenix; Shaquille O’Neal, Miami
Which player forces coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 81.0%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 9.5%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 4.8%
4. Tracy McGrady, Houston – 4.8%
Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. San Antonio Spurs – 71.4%
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 28.6%
Which team will win the Northwest Division?
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – 95.2%
2. Denver Nuggets – 4.8%
Which team will win the Pacific Division?
1. Sacramento Kings – 81.0%
2. Los Angeles Lakers – 14.3%
3. Golden State Warriors – 4.8%
Which team will win the Southwest Division?
1. San Antonio Spurs – 95.2%
2. Houston Rockets – 4.8%
Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Detroit Pistons – 61.9%
2. Indiana Pacers – 23.8%
3. Miami Heat – 14.3%
Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
1. New York Knicks – 66.7%
2. Philadelphia 76ers – 14.3%
3. Boston Celtics – 9.5%
4. New Jersey Nets – 4.8%
Which team will win the Central Division?
1. Detroit Pistons – 61.9%
2. Indiana Pacers – 38.1%
Which team will win the Southeast Division?
1. Miami Heat – 100.0%
PLAYERS
Which player is the best pure shooter in the NBA?
1. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 47.6%
2. Ray Allen, Seattle – 28.6%
3. Brent Barry, San Antonio – 4.8%
4. Allan Houston, New York – 4.8%
5. Tracy McGrady, Houston – 4.8%
6. Michael Redd, Milwaukee – 4.8%
> Also receiving votes: Richard Hamilton, Detroit; Reggie Miller, Indiana
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 78.6%
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix – 9.5%
3. Sam Cassell, Minnesota – 4.8%
4. Stephon Marbury, New York – 4.8%
> Also receiving votes: Tony Parker, San Antonio
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 100.0%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Tracy McGrady, Houston – 52.4%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 19.0%
3. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Ron Artest, Indiana; LeBron James, Cleveland; Andrei Kirilenko, Utah; Paul Pierce, Boston
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 66.7%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 33.3%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 95.2%
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 4.8%
Which player does the most with the least?
1. Brian Cardinal, Memphis – 45.0%
2. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 20.0%
3. Brad Miller, Sacramento – 15.0%
> Also receiving votes: Earl Boykins, Denver; Jeff Foster, Indiana; Steve Nash, Phoenix; Bo Outlaw, Memphis
OFFENSE
Which team will be the most fun to watch in ’04-05?
1. Denver Nuggets – 23.8%
2. Memphis Grizzlies – 19.0%
3. Phoenix Suns – 14.3%
4. Dallas Mavericks – 14.3%
5. Detroit Pistons – 9.5%
6. Sacramento Kings – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Miami Heat, Utah Jazz
Which team will be most improved in 2004-05?
1. Orlando Magic – 31.0%
2. Phoenix Suns – 31.0%
3. Miami Heat – 14.3%
> Also receiving votes: Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards
Which player is the most athletic?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 33.3%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 19.0%
3. Kenyon Martin, Denver – 9.5%
4. Vince Carter, Toronto – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Steve Francis, Orlando; Kevin Garnett, Minnesota; Corey Maggette, L.A. Clippers; Jason Richardson, Golden State; Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix; Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
T-1. T.J. Ford, Milwaukee – 25.0%
T-1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 25.0%
3. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 10.0%
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio – 10.0%
> Also receiving votes: Earl Boykins, Denver; LeBron James, Cleveland; Stephon Marbury, New York; Yuta Tabuse, Phoenix; Jason Terry, Dallas; Jason Williams, Memphis
Which player is best at moving without the ball?
1. Richard Hamilton, Detroit – 45.0%
2. Reggie Miller, Indiana – 30.0%
3. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 10.0%
4. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah – 10.0%
5. Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota – 5.0%
DEFENSE
Andrei Kirilenko was highly regarded as a defensive player by NBA GMs entering the 2004-05 season.
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Ron Artest, Indiana – 38.1%
2. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 33.3%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 9.5%
4. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah – 9.5%
5. Theo Ratliff, Portland – 9.5%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Ron Artest, Indiana – 71.4%
2. Bruce Bowen, San Antonio – 14.3%
3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 4.8%
4. Trenton Hassell, Minnesota – 4.8%
5. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah – 4.8%
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 57.1%
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 19.0%
3. Theo Ratliff, Portland – 19.0%
4. Kenyon Martin, Denver – 4.8%
Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Ron Artest, Indiana – 33.3%
2. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 28.6%
3. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 14.3%
> Also receiving votes: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia; Mark Madsen, Minnesota; Karl Malone; Kenyon Martin, Denver; Kurt Thomas, New York
COACHES
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Larry Brown, Detroit – 38.1%
2. Jerry Sloan, Utah – 33.3%
3. Flip Saunders, Minnesota – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Sacramento; Hubie Brown, Memphis; Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Jerry Sloan, Utah – 33.3%
2. Hubie Brown, Memphis – 23.8%
3. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 14.3%
4. Larry Brown, Detroit – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Doc Rivers, Boston; Flip Saunders, Minnesota; Rudy Tomjanovich, L.A. Lakers; Stan Van Gundy, Miami
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Larry Brown, Detroit – 45.0%
2. Hubie Brown, Memphis – 15.0%
3. Don Nelson, Dallas – 15.0%
4. Flip Saunders, Minnesota – 10.0%
> Also receiving votes: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio; Paul Silas, Cleveland; Jerry Sloan, Utah
Which head coach is the best in the last two minutes of a close game?
1. Larry Brown, Detroit – 35.0%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 20.0%
3. Flip Saunders, Minnesota – 15.0%
4. Hubie Brown, Memphis – 10.0%
> Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Don Nelson, Dallas; Jerry Sloan, Utah; Jeff Van Gundy, Houston
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
1. Phil Johnson, Utah – 71.4%
2. Mike Brown, Indiana – 19.4%
3. Dwane Casey, Seattle – 11.1%
> Also receiving votes: Pete Carril, Sacramento; P.J. Carlesimo, San Antonio; Del Harris, Dallas; Lionel Hollins, Memphis; Marc Iavaroni, Phoenix; Jim Lynam, Portland; Kevin O’Neill, Indiana; Ron Rothstein, Indiana
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Avery Johnson, Dallas# – 71.4%
2. Eric Snow, Cleveland – 14.3%
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix – 71.4%
> Also receiving votes: Antonio Davis, Chicago; Lindsey Hunter, Detroit; Mark Jackson, Houston; Voshon Lenard, Denver; Kevin Willis, Atlanta
#Note: This survey was conducted before Avery Johnson announced his retirement as a player.
ROOKIES, INTERNATIONAL & MISCELLANEOUS
The 2004 NBA Draft class earned plenty of plaudits from NBA GMs as the 2004-05 season neared.
Who will win the 2004-05 Rookie of the Year?
1. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte – 42.9%
2. Ben Gordon, Chicago – 23.8%
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando – 23.8%
4. Josh Childress, Atlanta – 4.8%
5. Devin Harris, Dallas – 4.8%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando – 70.0%
2. Shaun Livingston, L.A. Clippers – 10.0%
3. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte – 10.0%
4. Andres Nocioni, Chicago – 5.0%
5. Sebastian Telfair, Portland – 5.0%
Which international rookie is most ready to contribute this season?
1. Andres Nocioni, Chicago – 41.2%
2. Carlos Delfino, Detroit – 17.6%
3. Andres Biedrins, Golden State – 11.8%
4. Beno Udrih, San Antonio – 11.8%
5. Sasha Vujacic, L.A. Lakers – 11.8%
> Also receiving votes: Pavel Podkolzin, Dallas
Which rookie is most likely to be a “sleeper” success?
1. Josh Smith, Atlanta – 15.8%
2. Luke Jackson, Cleveland – 10.5%
3. Al Jefferson, Boston – 10.5%
4. Shaun Livingston, L.A. Clippers – 10.5%
5. J.R. Smith, New Orleans – 10.5%
> Also receiving votes: Tony Allen, Boston; Josh Childress, Atlanta; Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia; Kevin Martin, Sacramento; Jameer Nelson, Orlando; Sasha Vujacic, L.A. Lakers; Delonte West, Boston; Dorell Wright, Miami
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 61.9%
2. Pau Gasol, Memphis – 23.8%
3. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 14.3%
Who is the best international player not in the NBA?
1. Dejan Bodiroga, Serbia & Montenegro – 31.6%
2. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Lithuania – 26.3%
3. Luis Scola, Argentina – 15.8%
4. Arvydas Sabonis, Lithuania – 10.5%
> Also receiving votes: David Andersen, Australia; Fabricio Oberto, Argentina; Kosta Perovic, Serbia & Montenegro
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2004-05?
1. Al Harrington, Atlanta – 36.8%
2. Yao Ming, Houston – 10.5%
3. Dwyane Wade – 10.5%
> Also receiving votes: Jonathan Bender, Indiana; Chris Bosh, Toronto; Marcus Camby, Denver; Jamal Crawford, New York; Eddy Curry, Chicago; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Willie Green, Philadelphia; Brian Scalabrine, New Jersey
Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2004-05?
1. Mehmet Okur, Detroit – 14.3%
2. Mickael Pietrus, Golden State – 14.3%
3. Primoz Brezec, Charlotte – 9.5%
4. Pau Gasol, Memphis – 9.5%
5. Nene, Denver – 9.5%
6. Andres Nocioni, Chicago – 9.5%
7. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio – 7.1%
8. Yao Ming, Houston – 7.1%
> Also receiving votes: Carlos Arroyo, Utah; Boris Diaw, Atlanta; Gordan Giricek, Utah; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Darius Songaila, Sacramento
Which team made the best offseason moves overall?
1. Miami Heat – 38.1%
2. Utah Jazz – 33.3%
3. Orlando Magic – 14.3%
> Also receiving votes: Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami – 100.0%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Brent Barry, San Antonio – 33.3%
2. Brian Cardinal, Memphis – 9.5%
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix – 9.5%
4. Lamar Odom, L.A. Lakers – 9.5%
> Also receiving votes: Erick Dampier, Dallas; Al Harrington, Atlanta; Stephen Jackson, Indiana; Antawn Jamison, Washington; Jason Terry, Dallas; Nick Van Exel, Portland; Antoine Walker, Atlanta
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
1. Sacramento Kings – 71.4%
2. Denver Nuggets – 7.1%
3. Utah Jazz – 7.1%
> Also receiving votes: Detroit Pistons, L.A. Lakers, New York Knicks
