Thunder feature plenty in 2015-16 annual GM survey

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As they do every year before the new season tips off, the 30 NBA General Managers recently took a poll to predict the upcoming season’s best players, coaches and teams.

I’d like to imagine it’s like the scene in The Godfather where the heads of all the families meet in some dark and mysterious location and sit in pinstriped suits around a long table. But instead of trying to figure out who whacked a connected guy, they are attempting to guess which 19-year-old guard is going to win Rookie of the Year.

You can check out the entire poll results here, but here are the highlights along with some Thunder-related thoughts.

Which team will win the 2016 NBA Finals?
1. Cleveland — 53.6%
2. San Antonio — 25.0%
3. Golden State — 17.9%
4. Oklahoma City — 3.6%
Last year: San Antonio — 46.2%

Most educated observers of NBA basketball would agree that these are the top four contenders for the 2015-16 season. And it’s hard to argue with the logic behind choosing the Cavs to win it all, as LeBron & Co. navigating the East is like fighting Glass Joe with the Nintendo set on “easy” mode. Though the Thunder was included in the top tier, it’s obvious that their injury-riddled season last year puts OKC at the bottom of the elite pecking order in the eyes of the GMs.

Who will win the 2015-16 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 39.3%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 25.0%
3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 10.7%
James Harden, Houston — 10.7%
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 7.1%
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 7.1%
Last year: LeBron James — 67.9%

I think that people just vote for LeBron on auto-pilot these days. The Brow’s placement is an indicator that GMs believe he’s entering LeBron/KD levels of superstardom. It’s fun to see the returning MVP with the same number of votes as OKC’s second best player.

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 86.2%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 6.9%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 6.9%
Last year: LeBron James — 50.0%

Hard to have an issue with GMs choosing a 22-year-old megastar in the making over our beloved 27-year-old already-made megastar. But who are these GMs choosing James, who turns 31 this season, to start their franchise? I mean, Billy King, but then who else? Maybe the Timberwolves’ questionnaire still has David Kahn’s address on the label.

Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 55.2%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 24.1%
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 17.2%
4. Mike Conley, Memphis — 3.4%
Last year: Chris Paul — 71.4%

Whether it’s true or not is up for debate, but Curry is the easy choice here. He just won a championship and an MVP trophy. But any GM who would rather have CP3 over Westbrook hasn’t updated their NBA app since 2011.

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston — 79.3%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State — 10.3%
Also receiving votes: Jimmy Butler, Chicago; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Last year: James Harden — 63.0%

KD got a vote for best shooting guard? Did I miss a breaking news update about PJ Carlesimo landing a general manager gig?

Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland — 89.3%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 8.9%
3. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 1.8%
Last year: LeBron James — 75.0%

Prediction: KD is gonna make 91.1% of the GMs in the league feel really dumb this year.

Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 82.1%
2. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers — 7.1%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 7.1%
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 3.6%
Last year: LaMarcus Aldridge & Blake Griffin — 25.0%

In case you haven’t caught on by now, the GMs are really, really high on Davis. Whether or not he enters the conversation for best player in the world this season will be a fascinating story to watch unfold.

Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 65.5%
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento — 13.8%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 6.9%
Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 6.9%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers — 6.9%
Last year: Dwight Howard — 42.9%

The Brow even received some votes for best center. I guess he hasn’t been informed that his new teammate Kendrick Perkins is the only silverback.

Which team will be most improved in 2015-16?
1. Oklahoma City — 25.0%
2. Milwaukee — 17.9%
3. New Orleans — 14.3%
4. Miami — 10.7%
5. Indiana — 7.1%
Also receiving votes: Boston, Denver, L.A. Lakers, Minnesota, New York, Orlando, Utah
Last year: Cleveland — 75.0%

Only one team added a Kevin Durant to their squad this year. Anyone else think this one should have been a clean 100%?

Who will win the 2015-16 Rookie of the Year?
1. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia — 44.8%
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota — 34.5%
3. Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver — 13.8%
Also receiving votes: D’Angelo Russell, L.A. Lakers; Myles Turner, Indiana
Last year: Jabari Parker — 75.0%

Really, half of Okafor’s teammates could have been in the “Also receiving votes” section.

Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 62.1%
2. Pau Gasol, Chicago — 17.2%
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas — 10.3%
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio — 6.9%
5. Goran Dragic, Miami — 3.4%
Last year: Dirk Nowitzki — 53.6%

Raise your hand if you’d trade Serge for any player on that list not named Marc. Yeah, me neither.

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 27.6%
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 17.2%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland — 13.8%
4. Tony Allen, Memphis — 10.3%
5. Draymond Green, Golden State — 6.9%
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Rudy Gobert, Utah; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Andre Iguodala, Golden State
Last year: Joakim Noah — 35.7%

As it turns out, every great defender besides LeBron James is in the Western Conference. Related: no team in the Eastern Conference can beat LeBron James.

Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio — 44.8%
2. Tony Allen, Memphis — 17.2%
3. Jimmy Butler, Chicago — 10.3%
LeBron James, Cleveland — 10.3%
Also receiving votes: DeMarre Carroll, Toronto; Andre Iguodala, Golden State; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers; Klay Thompson, Golden State; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Last year: LeBron James — 25.0 %

Westbrook got some votes and Andre Roberson did not… I just… I can’t…

Which new (or relocated) coach will make the biggest impact this season?
1. Alvin Gentry, New Orleans — 32.1%
2. Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City — 28.6%
3. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago — 17.9%
4. Scott Skiles, Orlando — 10.7%
5. George Karl, Sacramento — 7.1%
6. Mike Malone, Denver — 3.6%
Last year: N/A

The good news: GMs seem to feel as though the Thunder’s new coach will move the needle in a positive direction. The bad news: GMs seem to feel even stronger that the Thunder’s new assistant head coach’s replacement in New Orleans will be better than he was last year.

Which team is the most fun to watch?
1. Golden State — 93.1%
Also receiving votes: Cleveland, Oklahoma City
Last year: Golden State — 57.1%

Sure, if you like watching spectacular displays of sharpshooting, elite lockdown defense, incredible on court chemistry, fine coaching, and healthy players, I guess.

Which team has the best home-court advantage?
1. Golden State — 65.5%
2. Oklahoma City — 17.2%
3. Utah — 10.3%
Also receiving votes: Cleveland, Denver
Last year: Oklahoma City — 42.9%

Thunder fans, just go ahead and put this one in the memory bank for now. And then please recall it next April, May and June. Seems like the GMs need a little reminder of why The Peake is called Loud City.

Which player is the most athletic?
1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 34.5%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland — 20.7%
3. Zach LaVine, Minnesota — 17.2%
4. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 10.3%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Andre Drummond, Detroit; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota
Last year: LeBron James — 50.0%

The GMs finally caught on to the fact that while Westbrook’s vertical rises higher every year, so does LeBron’s hairline.

Which player is the best pure shooter?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 79.3%
2. Kyle Korver, Atlanta — 10.3%
3. Klay Thompson, Golden State — 6.9%
4. Anthony Morrow, Oklahoma City — 3.4%
Last year: Stephen Curry — 60.7%

Great to see A-Mo get some love as one of the league’s premiere shooters. I’d love to see a “Fastest shooters” list. Unless Doc Holliday lands a backup SG spot with the Suns, Morrow has that category on lockdown.

Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. John Wall, Washington — 53.4%
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 32.8%
Also receiving votes: Ty Lawson, Houston; Ish Smith, Washington; Jeff Teague, Atlanta; Isaiah Thomas, Boston
Last year: John Wall & Russell Westbrook — 40.7%

It seems Wall and Westbrook go back and forth on this category every year. Can we just set up a Pay-Per-View and settle this debate once and for all? Winner gets KD on his team for the next five years.

Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Tony Allen, Memphis — 20.7%
2. Draymond Green, Golden State — 17.2%
3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 6.9%
Jimmy Butler, Chicago — 6.9%
Zach Randolph, Memphis — 6.9%
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 6.9%
Also receiving votes: Andrew Bogut, Golden State; Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; LeBron James, Cleveland; Robin Lopez, New York; Wesley Matthews, Dallas; Joakim Noah, Chicago; Zaza Pachulia, Dallas; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers; David West, San Antonio
Last year: Tony Allen — 25.9%

The math on this one doesn’t compute. Because I can count the number of players on this list who have played in an NBA game with a dented face on one finger.

Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State — 51.7%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 31.0%
3. James Harden, Houston — 10.3%
4. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 6.9%
Last year: Kevin Durant — 76.9%

I begrudge the 69% who went against Kid Clutch here, but my bigger issue is that 6.9% of GMs voted for an impossible scenario. Don’t the Knicks have to actually be close enough to win for Carmelo to take a game winning shot?

TL;DR: The GMs really like the Cavs, the Unibrow is on the rise, and Russell Westbrook is a better defender than Andre Roberson.