Posted Oct 22 2008 1:45PM
NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Lakers will avenge their NBA finals loss to the Boston Celtics, according to a survey of the league's general managers.
The executives who responded to the NBA.com GM survey also picked Cleveland's LeBron James for the third straight year as the likely MVP. The results of the seventh annual poll were released Wednesday.
The Lakers received 46 per cent of the vote, well ahead of the Celtics (19 per cent). Boston beat Los Angeles in six games in June for its 17th championship.
The New Orleans Hornets got 12 per cent of the vote and San Antonio received eight per cent. It was the first time in five years the GMs didn't tab the Spurs as their pre-season pick to win the title.
James, who has never won the MVP award, collected 56 per cent of the voting in that category. Kobe Bryant, a first-time MVP last season, drew 37 per cent and Chris Paul the other seven per cent.
Also, Miami's Michael Beasley beat out Greg Oden in the rookie of the year voting. Beasley, the No. 2 pick, got 48 per cent of the vote, while Oden, getting ready for his NBA debut after sitting out the 2007-08 season following knee surgery, was the pick of 30 per
 | Gasol's Follow Pau Gasol follows the missed shot with a two-hand slam. |
 | Gasol to World Peace Pau Gasol gives the assist to Metta World Peace for the jam. |
 | Javale Dunk Jan Vesly kicks the ball to JaVale McGee for the easy slam. |
 | Suns vs. Nuggets Arron Afflalo scores 20 points to lead the Nuggets to a 109-92 win over the Suns. |
 | Rockets vs. Grizzlies Mike Conley scores 21 points, Rudy Gay adds 20 and the Grizzlies defeat the Rockets at home. |
 | Smoove Jam Josh Smith finishes the fast break with a huge slam. |
 | Hawks vs. Lakers: First half The Lakers have a 42-41 lead over the Hawks behind Andrew Bynum's 13 points. |
 | Kings vs. Bulls Luol Deng scores 23 points and a career-high 11 assists as the Bulls survive a late rally to beat Kings. |
 | Batum Blocks Young Nicolas Batum denies Nick Young at the rim in the Rose Garden. |
 | Circus Shot And-one John Wall drives to the basket, drops the prayer and gets the foul. |
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices 
NBA.com is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
