PAUL, GRIFFIN AND THE CLIPPERS EARN VOTES IN ANNUAL GM SURVEY

The results of NBA.com’s annual survey of league general managers was released Monday with the Clippers earning votes in a number of categories.

According to NBA.com interactive writer John Schumann, all 30 teams responded to the survey, which was broken down into seven categories (predictions, players, offseason moves, rookies and international players, defense, coaches, and miscellaneous).

Last season, the landmark trade for superstar Chris Paul helped land the Clippers at the top of several questions, including 100% of GMs choosing Paul as the one acquisition that would have the biggest overall impact. However, heading into this season, it could be argued the Clippers are somewhat under the radar.

Despite adding Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes and Grant Hill to a roster that returned two superstars and six of its top rotation players, only 3.3% of general managers believe the Clippers will win the Pacific Division, where as nearly 20% predicted a division title for the team last year.

As for the players section of the survey, Paul was notably in the conversation on a variety of questions. He was the fourth highest on the list of what player forces opposing coaches to make the most in-game adjustments, behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard, and Paul received 69% of the vote as the league’s best point guard, a staggering 49% better than second-place finisher Derrick Rose.

He was voted the best leader, second best passer, fourth most dangerous in the open court, and tied for the second best basketball IQ. Paul, Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill made the list for player likely to make the best coach in the future with Billups topping the list with 20.7% of votes.

Blake Griffin was tied Kevin Garnett (6.7%), according to GMs, as the fifth best power forward in the league with Kevin Love, Dirk Nowitzki, James and LaMarcus Aldridge coming in ahead of him. Griffin was second to James as the league’s best finisher and third to James and Russell Westbrook as the league’s most athletic player. Griffin and his buddy DeAndre Jordan both received at least one vote for most likely to have a “breakout” season.

Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey: the Clippers were not mentioned as a potential winner of the Western Conference with Denver snagging 3.3% of the vote behind front-runners Oklahoma City and the Lakers. Also, the team tallied just 6.7% of the votes (tied for fourth with Golden State) as the most exciting team in the league.

2012-13 NBA.com GM Survey Results

1. Miami -- 70.0% 2. L.A. Lakers -- 23.3% 3. Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Last year: Miami -- 74.1%

1. Miami -- 96.7% 2. Boston -- 3.3%

Last year: Miami -- 96.3%

1. L.A. Lakers -- 60.0% 2. Oklahoma City -- 36.7% 3. Denver -- 3.3%

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 67.9%

1. Boston -- 66.7% 2. Brooklyn and New York -- 13.3% 4. Philadelphia -- 6.7%

Last year: Boston -- 64.3%

1. Indiana -- 80% 2. Chicago -- 20% Last year: Chicago -- 96.4%

1. Miami -- 96.7% 2. Atlanta -- 3.3%

Last year: Miami --96.3%

1. San Antonio -- 96.7% 2. Memphis -- 3.3%

Last year: San Antonio -- 63.6%

1. Oklahoma City -- 86.7% 2. Denver -- 10.0% 3. Minnesota -- 3.3%

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 71.4%

1. L.A. Lakers -- 96.7% 2. L.A. Clippers -- 3.3%

Last year: L.A. Lakers -- 77.8%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 66.7% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 3. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 3.3%

Last year: Kevin Durant -- 66.7%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 80.0% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 16.7% 3. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 3.3%

Last year: Kevin Durant, LeBron James -- 37.0%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 50.0% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 20.0% 3. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 16.7% 4. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Derrick Rose, Chicago

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 29.6%

1. Klay Thompson, Golden State -- 13.3% 2. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland, and Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio -- 10.0% 4. Paul George, Indiana, and James Harden, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Nicolas Batum, Portland; Alec Burks, Utah; DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kenneth Faried, Denver; Taj Gibson, Chicago; Eric Gordon, New Orleans; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Gordon Hayward, Utah; Andre Iguodala, Denver; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Ty Lawson, Denver; JaVale McGee, Denver; Josh Selby, Memphis; Evan Turner, Philadelphia; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City

Last year: James Harden -- 21.4%

1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 69.0% 2. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 20.7% 3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.9% 4. Tony Parker, San Antonio -- 3.4%

Last year: Derrick Rose -- 59.3%

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 66.7% 2. Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 23.3%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; James Harden, Oklahoma City

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 55.6%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 73.3% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 26.7%

Last year: LeBron James -- 77.8%

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 30.0% 2. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas -- 23.3% 3. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 4. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland -- 10.0% 5. Kevin Garnett, Boston, and Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers

Last year: Dirk Nowitzki -- 41.4%

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 93.3% 2. Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia -- 6.7%

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 96.3

1. L.A. Lakers -- 86.2% 2. Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Atlanta, Golden State

Last year: L.A. Clippers -- 85.2%

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 70.0% 2. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 20.0%

Also receiving votes: Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia; Joe Johnson, Brooklyn; Deron Williams, Brooklyn

Last year: Chris Paul - 100%

1. Andre Iguodala, Denver -- 16.7% 2. Jason Terry, Boston -- 13.3% 3. Courtney Lee, Boston -- 10.0% 4. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans, Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota, Brandon Roy, Minnesota, Lou Williams, Atlanta -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Ray Allen, Miami; Marcus Camby, New York; Gerald Green, Indiana; Grant Hill, L.A. Clippers; Chris Kaman, Dallas; Kyle Lowry, Toronto; O.J. Mayo, Dallas; Darko Milicic, Boston; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Alexey Shved, Minnesota

Last year: Brandon Bass, David West -- 15.4%

1. Brooklyn -- 62.1% 2. L.A. Lakers, Minnesota -- 10.3% 4. New Orleans -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Denver, Golden State, Milwaukee

Last year: L.A. Clippers -- 66.7%

1. Steve Nash to the Lakers -- 39.3% 2. Bynum/Howard/Iguodala trade -- 17.9% 3. Knicks not matching Jeremy Lin offer -- 14.3% 4. Ray Allen to Miami, Joe Johnson to Brooklyn -- 10.7%

Also receiving votes: Jeff Green's contract, Luis Scola amnestied by Houston

Last year: Chris Paul to the Clippers -- 33.3%

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 76.7% 2. Damian Lillard, Portland -- 20.0% 3. Austin Rivers, New Orleans -- 3.3%

Last year: Kyrie Irving -- 63.0%

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 86.7% 2. Bradley Beal, Washington -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Damian Lillard, Portland; Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto

Last year: Kyrie Irving -- 51.9%

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans -- 40.0% 2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte -- 16.7% 3. Andre Drummond, Detroit -- 13.3% 4. Terrence Ross, Toronto -- 10.0% 5. Perry Jones, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Quincy Acy, Toronto; Terrence Jones, Houston; Thomas Robinson, Sacramento; Dion Waiters, Cleveland

Last year: Derrick Williams -- 32.1%

1. Jared Sullinger, Boston -- 17.2% 2. Maurice Harkless, Orlando, Andrew Nicholson, Orlando -- 13.8% 4. Jae Crowder, Dallas, Damian Lillard, Portland -- 10.3% 6. Terrence Jones, Houston -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Jared Cunningham, Dallas; Andre Drummond, Detroit; Evan Fournier, Denver; John Jenkins, Atlanta; Perry Jones, Oklahoma City; Doron Lamb, Milwaukee; Donatas Motiejunas, Houston; Terrence Ross, Toronto

Last year: Norris Cole -- 44.0%

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas -- 72.4% 2. Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Tony Parker, San Antonio

Last year: Dirk Nowitzki -- 96.4%

1. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto -- 17.2% 2. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota -- 13.8% 3. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota -- 13.8% 4. Goran Dragic, Phoenix, Danilo Gallinari, Denver, Donatas Motiejunas, Houston, Kevin Seraphin, Washington, Alexey Shved, Minnesota, Mirza Teletovic, Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Christian Eyenga, Orlando; Evan Fournier, Denver; Enes Kanter, Utah; Tiago Splitter, San Antonio; Jan Vesely, Washington

Last year: Ricky Rubio -- 37.0%

1. Juan Carlos Navarro -- 34.6% 2. Nikola Mirotic -- 11.5% 3. Dimitris Diamantidis, Rudy Fernandez, Bo McCalebb, Dario Saric -- 7.7%

Also receiving votes: Nenad Krstic, Milan Macvan, Vassilis Spanoulis, Milos Teodosic, Ante Tomic, Fran Vazquez

Last year: Jonas Valanciunas -- 36.0%

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 60.0% 2. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 3. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City -- 13.3%

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Kevin Garnett, Boston; Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 76.9%

1. Tony Allen, Memphis -- 33.3% 2. LeBron James, Miami -- 26.7% 3. Avery Bradley, Boston, Andre Iguodala, Denver, Rajon Rondo, Boston, Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers; Eric Gordon, New Orleans; Dahntay Jones, Dallas; Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers

Last year: Tony Allen -- 26.9%

1. Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 66.7% 2. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City -- 16.7% 3. Tyson Chandler, New York -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Kevin Garnett, Boston

Last year: Dwight Howard -- 88.9%

1. Chicago -- 40.0% 2. Miami -- 26.7% 3. Boston -- 23.3% 4. L.A. Lakers -- 6.7% 5. San Antonio -- 3.3%

Last year: Chicago -- 66.7%

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 80.0% 2. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 13.3%

Also receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Minnesota; Erik Spoelstra, Miami

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 42.3%

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 60.0% 2. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 40.0%

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 42.9%

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 40.0% 2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 20.0% 3. Doug Collins, Philadelphia -- 13.3% 4. Rick Adelman, Minnesota -- 6.7% 5. George Karl, Denver -- 6.7% 6. Doc Rivers, Boston -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago

Last year: Gregg Popovich -- 35.7%

1. George Karl, Denver -- 31.0% 2. Rick Adelman, Minnesota, Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 27.6% 4. Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City, Alvin Gentry, Phoenix -- 6.9%

Last year: George Karl -- 22.2%

1. Tom Thibodeau, Chicago -- 70.0% 2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 10.0% 3. Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers, Rick Carlisle, Dallas -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Doc Rivers, Boston; Erik Spoelstra, Miami

Last year: Tom Thibodeau -- 61.5%

1. Brian Shaw, Indiana -- 23.3% 2. Mike Budenholzer, San Antonio -- 20.0% 3. Steve Clifford, L.A. Lakers, Mike Malone, Golden State -- 10.0% 5. Maurice Cheeks, Oklahoma City, Jay Triano, Portland -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Ron Adams, Chicago; Kenny Atkinson, Atlanta; Brett Brown, San Antonio; Michael Curry, Philadelphia; Darren Erman, Golden State; Armond Hill, Boston; Elston Turner, Phoenix

Last year: Mike Malone -- 29.2%

1. Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers -- 20.7% 2. Shane Battier, Miami -- 17.2% 3. Derek Fisher -- 13.8% 4. Jason Kidd, New York, Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3% 6. Grant Hill, L.A. Clippers, Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Ray Allen, Miami; Luke Walton, Cleveland; Charles Jenkins, Golden State; Earl Watson, Utah

Last year: Derek Fisher -- 25.9%

1. Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 2. Miami -- 26.7% 3. Denver -- 16.7% 4. Golden State -- 6.7%, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%, San Antonio -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: L.A. Lakers, New York

Last year: Miami -- 33.3%

1. Oklahoma City -- 70.0% 2. Miami -- 10.0%, Utah -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Denver, L.A. Lakers, Portland

Last year: Oklahoma City -- 44.4%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 62.1% 2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 20.7% 3. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 13.8% 4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 3.4%

Last year: LeBron James -- 46.2%

1. Ray Allen, Miami -- 56.7% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 20.0% 3. Steve Novak, New York -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: James Harden, Oklahoma City; Kyle Korver, Atlanta; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Klay Thompson, Golden State

Last year: Ray Allen -- 85.7%

1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 36.7% 2. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 23.3% 3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 13.3% 4. Ty Lawson, Denver -- 6.7%, John Wall, Washington -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Aaron Brooks, Sacramento; Darren Collison, Dallas; LeBron James, Miami; Tony Parker, San Antonio

Last year: Derrick Rose -- 57.7%

1. Ray Allen, Miami -- 56.7% 2. Richard Hamilton, Chicago -- 10.0% 3. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio -- 6.7%, Kyle Korver, Atlanta -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Luol Deng, Chicago; Marc Gasol, Memphis; James Harden, Oklahoma City; Paul Pierce, Boston; J.J. Redick, Orlando; Klay Thompson, Golden State

Last year: Ray Allen -- 67.9%

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 40.0% 2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 30.0% 3. LeBron James, Miami -- 16.7% 4. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 6.7%, Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 6.7%

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 35.7%

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 53.3% 2. Kenneth Faried, Denver -- 16.7% 3. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento -- 6.7%, dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Reggie Evans, Brooklyn; Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers; Kris Humphries, Brooklyn; Zach Randolph, Memphis

Last year: Kevin Love -- 64.3%

1. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 58.6% 2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 27.6% 3. Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.9%, Deron Williams, Brooklyn -- 6.9%

Last year: Chris Paul -- 40.7%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 60.0% 2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City -- 23.3% 3. Derrick Rose, Chicago -- 10.0% 4. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 6.7%

Last year: LeBron James -- 53.8%

1. LeBron James, Miami -- 66.7% 2. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers -- 10.0%, Dwyane Wade, Miami -- 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Tyreke Evans, Sacramento; James Harden, Oklahoma City; Josh Smith, Atlanta

Last year: LeBron James -- 42.3%

1. Kevin Love, Minnesota -- 34.5% 2. Shane Battier, Miami -- 10.3% 3. Marc Gasol, Memphis -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Ryan Anderson, New Orleans; Matt Bonner, San Antonio; Nick Collison, Oklahoma City; Roy Hibbert, Indiana; Jared Dudley, Phoenix; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Danny Green, San Antonio; Chuck Hayes, Sacramento; Kris Humphries, Brooklyn; Paul Millsap, Utah; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers; Steve Novak, New York; Luis Scola, Phoenix; Anderson Varejao, Cleveland

Last year: Kevin Love -- 26.9%

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 26.7% 2. Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers -- 10.0% 3. Reggie Evans, Brooklyn -- 6.7%, Kenneth Faried, Denver -- 6.7%, Kevin Garnett, Boston -- 6.7%, LeBron James, Miami -- 6.7%, Rajon Rondo, Boston -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers; Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Marcin Gortat, Phoenix; Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers; Zach Randolph, Memphis; Anderson Varejao, Cleveland; David West, Indiana

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 32.1%

1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 27.6% 2. Kevin Garnett, Boston -- 20.7% 3. Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers -- 10.3%, Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 10.3%, LeBron James, Miami -- 10.3%, Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio; Jason Kidd, New York

Last year: Chris Paul -- 25.0%

1. Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers -- 27.6% 2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 13.8%, LeBron James, Miami -- 13.8%, Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 13.8% 5. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 10.3% 6. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio -- 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers; Jason Kidd, New York; Rajon Rondo, Boston

Last year: Steve Nash -- 28.6%

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City -- 46.7% 2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers -- 40.0% 3. Carmelo Anthony, New York -- 6.7%

Also receiving votes: Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers; LeBron James, Miami

Last year: Kobe Bryant -- 48.1%