NBA General Managers make their picks for 2004-05
GM Survey: Coaches

Oct. 30 -- In 2004-05, who will be the MVP? Rookie of the Year? Most improved team? And who's going to win it all?

NBA.com posed these questions and more to the league's general managers, and a high majority of the GM's responded to our survey.* Here's what the guys who call the shots think about the new season.



Larry Brown
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
Larry Brown, Detroit
38.1%
33.3%
Flip Saunders, Minnesota
9.5%
Others receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Sacramento; Hubie Brown, Memphis; Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio



Jerry Sloan
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
33.3%
Hubie Brown, Memphis
23.8%
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
14.3%
Larry Brown, Detroit
9.5%
Others receiving votes: Doc Rivers, Boston; Flip Saunders, Minnesota; Rudy Tomjanovich, L.A. Lakers; Stan Van Gundy, Miami



Larry Brown
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
Larry Brown, Detroit
45.0%
Hubie Brown, Memphis
15.0%
Don Nelson, Dallas
15.0%
Flip Saunders, Minnesota
10.0%
Others receiving votes: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio; Paul Silas, Cleveland; Jerry Sloan, Utah



Larry Brown
Which head coach is the best in the last two minutes of a close game?
Larry Brown, Detroit
35.0%
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
20.0%
Flip Saunders, Minnesota
15.0%
Hubie Brown, Memphis
10.0%
Others receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Don Nelson, Dallas; Jerry Sloan, Utah; Jeff Van Gundy, Houston



Phil Johnson
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
71.4%
Mike Brown, Indiana
19.4%
Dwane Casey, Seattle
11.1%
Others receiving votes: Pete Carril, Sacramento; P.J. Carlesimo, San Antonio; Del Harris, Dallas; Lionel Hollins, Memphis; Marc Iavaroni, Phoenix; Jim Lynam, Portland; Kevin O’Neill, Indiana; Ron Rothstein, Indiana



Avery Johnson
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
Avery Johnson, Dallas#
71.4%
Eric Snow, Cleveland
14.3%
Steve Nash, Phoenix
71.4%
Others receiving votes: Antonio Davis, Chicago; Lindsey Hunter, Detroit; Mark Jackson, Houston; Voshon Lenard, Denver; Kevin Willis, Atlanta
#Note: This survey was conducted before Avery Johnson announced his retirement as a player.
RESULTS & SCHEDULE
Oct. 28: International
Oct. 30: Coaches
Nov. 1: Rookies
Nov. 4: MVP
Nov. 5: Championship
FAN SURVEY


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