
Posted Oct 28 2008 6:08PM
Will the Boston Celtics be the first NBA team to repeat as champions since the 2002 Lakers? Perhaps it will be the latest version of the Lake Show to stop them? Is this the year that the King gets crowned MVP? Which team helped themselves the most this summer? Will the Rookie of the Year come from this year's draft class or last year's?

NBA.com posed these questions and more to the league's general managers, and nearly all of the GM's responded to our survey.*
Here's what the guys who call the shots think will transpire this season.
• Predictions
• Players
• Moves
• Rookies & International
• Defense
• Coaches
• Miscellaneous
• Q&A with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak
• 2008-09 NBA Expert Predictions
• 2008-09 NBA Celebrity Predictions
• 2007-2008 GM Survey
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Kevin Garnett -- 44.4%
2. Ron Artest -- 22.2%
3. Kobe Bryant -- 11.1%
4. Bruce Bowen -- 7.4%
Tim Duncan -- 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Bruce Bowen -- 44.4%
2. Kobe Bryant -- 25.9%
3. Ron Artest -- 14.8%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Raja Bell, James Posey, Tayshaun Prince
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Kevin Garnett -- 40.7%
2. Tim Duncan -- 18.5%
Dwight Howard -- 18.5%
4. Marcus Camby -- 7.4%
Tyson Chandler -- 7.4%
Others receiving votes: DeSagana Diop, Josh Smith
Who is the best on-the-ball defender in the NBA?
1. Kobe Bryant -- 26.9%
2. Ron Artest -- 19.2%
Bruce Bowen -- 19.2%
Rajon Rondo -- 19.2%
Others receiving votes: Devin Harris, Kirk Hinrich, Josh Howard, Mickael Pietrus
Which player best defends the passing lanes in the NBA?
1. Allen Iverson -- 26.9%
2. Trevor Ariza - 11.5%
Caron Butler - 11.5%
4. Kobe Bryant -- 7.7%
LeBron James -- 7.7%
Chris Paul -- 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Ron Artest, Leandro Barbosa, Baron Davis, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin, James Posey, Rajon Rondo
* - Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to each question of the survey, rather than all 30 general managers.


![]() | Rasheed Wallace Press Conference K.G., Doc Rivers and Paul Pierce welcome Rasheed Wallace to the city of Boston. |
![]() | Hedo Turkoglu Press Conference Hedo Turkoglu thanks the crowd for the warm reception and talks about Toronto's exciting playing style. |
![]() | Pistons Press Conference Joe Dumars introduces John Kuester to the local media. Kuester believes Detroit will be prepared for every game. |
![]() | Game Time: Jason Kidd The NBA TV crew discusses Jason Kidd's decision to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks. |
![]() | Game Time: Hedo Turkoglu The NBA TV crew talks about former Orlando star Hedo Turkoglu signing with the Toronto Raptors. |
![]() | Breaking News: Shawn Marion Shawn Marion agrees to sign the trade deal that will send him to the Dallas Mavericks. |
![]() | Rasheed Wallace NBATV's Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and David Aldridge discuss what type of impact Rasheed Wallace will have as a Boston Celtic. |
![]() | Ron Artest NBATV's Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and David Aldridge discuss what will Ron Artest bring to the Los Angeles Lakers. |
![]() | Trevor Ariza NBATV's Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and David Aldridge discuss what will Trevor Ariza bring to the Houston Rockets. |
![]() | Ben Gordon Newly acquired Pistons guard, Ben Gordon joins the NBATV crew and shares his excitement about joining his new team. |