GM Survey Predicts Warriors Repeating as Champs, LeBron Taking Home Another MVP Title
The 2017–2018 NBA Regular Season has not yet even started, but the league's general managers already have their own predictions as to who will emerge on top when the final buzzer sounds.
Results of the annual GM survey of NBA.com say that 93 percent of the respondents believe that the Golden State Warriors will again win it all next June. The overwhelming number proved to be the highest margin in the survey's six-year history.
According to an ESPN report, the defending champions were also selected by the GMs to win last year. The rate, however, was far lower as only 69 percent picked the Warriors.
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Meanwhile, 50 percent of respondents believe that Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James will take home the MVP trophy this season. Surprisingly, reigning MVP Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder did not even land in the top five among the GMs' choices. A reason could be the arrival of fellow All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Paul George who are both expected to demand more touches.
Trailing James is Kevin Durant of the Warriors, who received 29 percent of the votes. James' teammate, forward Kevin Love also pitched in and shared his thoughts on the survey. "Every year [LeBron's] the guy that you would look at and say he's right at the top. Best player, best athlete in the world," said Love.
"He's going to come in and do the same thing, lead this team. We've got a bunch of new guys, a bunch of new faces, but at the end of the day that's not going to change the way he goes about his business," he added.
As for the other categories, 62 percent of the GMs believe Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers will win Rookie of the Year honors.
Karl Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, on the other hand, was voted to "most likely have a breakout season." In addition, he also emerged as the GMs' pick for the player they would likely build a franchise around with.
