Stephen A. Smith would like to see the All-Star play more. There is a time and a place for it.
In NBA.com's annual survey of all 30 of the league's general managers, Luka Doncic was tabbed as the most likely to win the Most Valuable Player award in the 2023 season.
In the 21st edition of the survey, Milwaukee received 42% of the vote. The Golden State Warriors received 25% of the votes, followed by the LA Clippers with 21%, and the Boston Celtics with 9%.
The Bucks were the favorite to win the East. They were followed by the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavs. The six teams received votes to finish in the top four in the East.
Nine teams got votes. The Clippers finished in first place in the West, followed by the Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzles, Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
42% of the vote went to Doncic, compared to 34% for Antetokounmpo, 12% for Embiid, and one vote for Curry. Antetokounmpo received the most votes in the category of player a GM would most want to build their team around, with 45% of the votes going to Doncic. None of the other players received a vote.
Curry, Booker, Antetokounmpo, and Jokic were the top players at their positions. Booker overtook James Harden as the league's top shooting guard.
When it came to who had the best off-season, Cleveland's acquisition of Donovan Mitchell led the team to the top spot, with 42% of the vote. The Wolves, 76ers, and Jazz finished in a three-way tie for second with 18%, while the Celtics and Kings got votes. The two former Jazz co-stars, Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, finished first and second, respectively, in the category of which player will make the biggest impact in their new home.
The Gobert trade to Minnesota was the most surprising move of the off-season with 45% of the vote. The most under appreciated move of the summer was the trade of Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics.
Paolo Banchero, the top overall pick in the June NBA draft, was the runaway winner of the NBA's rookies of the year award. The Oklahoma City Thunder big man was the pick to be the best player in the class in five years, with 28% of the vote. The Pistons guard and Smith were tied for third with 12%. The Pistons center and the Rockets forward tied for the biggest steals in the draft.
Draymond Green and Gobert were named the NBA's best defensive players. Marcus Smart was chosen as the best perimeter defender, Rudy Gobert was chosen as the best interior defender, and Antetokounmpo was chosen as the most versatile. The Celtics were chosen as the best defensive team.
According to the voters, the Heat coach was the top coach in the league by a wide margin. Kerr was the best motivator, as well as running the best offensive schemes, while Lue was the best at in-game adjustments, and Spoelstra was the best defensive scheme.
Chris Paul received 32% of the vote to lead the way as to who would be the best future coach among current NBA players, even though he was tied for being the best assistant coach in the NBA.
The Warriors were the most fun to watch and the most efficient offense in the league this season.
Jokic was chosen as the league's best passer, Paul as its best leader and Antetokounmpo as its most versatile player.
The player with the highest basketball IQ was won by the player with 45% of the vote.
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