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.
 | Clippers vs. Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki scores 22 points to lead the Mavericks to a 96-92 win over the visiting Clippers. |
 | Suns vs. Warriors: First half Steve Nash dishes out nine assists as the Suns get out to a 46-43 lead in Oakland. |
 | Jazz vs. Hornets Chris Kaman leads New Orleans with 27 points and 13 rebounds as the Hornets end an eight-game losing skid, beating the Jazz 86-80. |
 | Heat vs. Bucks LeBron James scores 35 points and pulls down eight boards in the Heat's 114-96 victory over the Bucks. |
 | Nash to Frye The Suns' Steve Nash grabs the errant pass and leads the break in the first quarter against the Warriors. |
 | Lamar's Lob Lamar Odom throws the one-handed lob to Brandan Wright for the jam. |
 | Through and Over Four Defenders LeBron James drives through two defenders and finishes with the slam over two other defenders. |
 | Spinning Baseline Slam Vince Carter drives baseline, spins in the air and throws down the monster slam. |
 | Clippers Break Reggie Evans runs the break and throws the alley-oop to Blake Griffin for the slam. |
 | Sixers vs. Bobcats Louis Williams scores 23 points to lead the Sixers to a 98-89 win over the Bobcats. |
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