GM Survey: 2008-09 Predictions

Oct.22, 2008 -- 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

Which team will win NBA Finals 2009?
1. L.A. Lakers -- 46.2%
2. Boston -- 19.2%
3. New Orleans -- 11.5%
4. Houston -- 7.7%
San Antonio -- 7.7%
Others receiving votes: Detroit, Orlando

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Boston -- 74.1%
2. Cleveland -- 11.1%
Detroit -- 11.1%
4. Orlando -- 3.7%

Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. LA Lakers - 66.7%
2. New Orleans -- 18.5%
3. Houston -- 7.4%
4. San Antonio -- 7.4%

Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
1. Boston - 85.2%
2. Philadelphia - 11.1%
3. Toronto - 3.7%

Which team will win the Central Division?
1. Detroit -- 55.6%
2. Cleveland -- 44.4%

Which team will win the Southeast Division?
1. Orlando -- 96.3%
2. Washington -- 3.7%

Which team will win the Southwest Division?
1. New Orleans -- 37.0%
2. Houston -- 29.6%
San Antonio -- 29.6%
4. Dallas -- 3.7%

Which team will win the Northwest Division?
1. Utah -- 92.6%
2. Portland -- 7.4%

Which team will win the Pacific Division?
1. L.A. Lakers -- 100%

* - Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to each question of the survey, rather than all 30 general managers.