The NBA’s Top Brass Weighs In: Celtics Favored to Repeat as Champions
In the annual NBA.com survey, the league’s 30 general managers have spoken, and the verdict is clear: the Boston Celtics are the overwhelming favorites to take home the championship title once again. A staggering 83% of the vote went to the Celtics, who would become the first team to repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks were the only other teams to receive votes, with 13% and 1% of the vote, respectively. The Celtics’ dominance extended to the Eastern Conference, where they were unanimously picked to finish atop the standings. The New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and Indiana Pacers rounded out the top seven.
Out West, the Thunder emerged as the clear favorites to win the conference, taking home 80% of the first-place votes. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Golden State Warriors followed in order.
In individual honors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder narrowly edged out Luka Doncic of the Mavericks for the Most Valuable Player award, with 40% of the vote to Doncic’s 30%. Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum finished in a distant tie for third.
French sensation Victor Wembanyama, last season’s Rookie of the Year, received an impressive 77% of the vote as the player general managers would most like to start their franchise with. Wembanyama also took home the honors for best defensive player and best interior defender.
The survey also revealed some interesting insights into the league’s top players. Stephen Curry was dethroned as the league’s best point guard for the first time in a decade, with Doncic taking the top spot. Anthony Edwards supplanted Devin Booker as the league’s best shooting guard, while Tatum retained his title as the best small forward. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokic were named the best power forward and center, respectively, for the sixth straight year.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was named the league’s best coach for a fifth straight season, while the Grizzlies were picked as the most improved team in the league. The Knicks’ trade for Karl-Anthony Towns was deemed the most surprising move of the summer, and Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard was tapped as the Rookie of the Year.
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