The Lakers were the reigning champs entering the 2002-03 season.
Look back at every NBA GM Survey since 2002.
PREDICTIONS
Who will win the 2003 NBA Finals?
1. L.A. Lakers – 61.5%
2. Sacramento – 30.8%
T-3. San Antonio – 3.8%
T-3. Washington – 3.8%
Which team has the best chance of dethroning the L.A. Lakers as NBA champions?
1. Sacramento – 80.0%
2. New Jersey – 8.0%
T-3. Dallas – 4.0%
T-3. San Antonio – 4.0%
T-3. Washington – 4.0%
Who will win the 2002-03 Most Valuable Player award?
T-1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 30.8%
T-1. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers – 30.8%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 19.2%
4. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 15.4%
5. Tracy McGrady, Orlando – 3.8%
Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
1. New Jersey – 84.6%
2. Boston – 7.7%
T-3. Philadelphia – 3.8%
T-3. Washington – 3.8%
Which team will win the Central Division?
1. New Orleans – 42.3%
T-2. Detroit – 19.2%
T-2. Milwaukee – 19.2%
4. Indiana – 11.5%
T-5. Atlanta – 3.8%
T-5. Toronto – 3.8%
Which team will win the Midwest Division?
1. San Antonio – 53.8%
2. Dallas – 46.2%
Which team will win the Pacific Division?
1. Sacramento – 65.4%
2. L.A. Lakers – 34.6%
PLAYERS
Tracy McGrady and Reggie Miller both ranked highly in several categories entering the 2002-03 season.
Who is the most intense player on the court in the NBA?
1. Alonzo Mourning, Miami – 20.0%
2. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 16.0%
3. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 12.0%
T-4. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 8.0%
T-4. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 8.0%
T-4. Michael Jordan, Washington – 8.0%
T-4. Kenyon Martin, New Jersey – 8.0%
> Also receiving votes: Ron Artest, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Jerry Stackhouse, Jerome Williams
Who is the player most likely to make a last-second shot if a game depended on it?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 42.3%
2. Reggie Miller, Indiana – 38.5%
3. Michael Jordan, Washington – 15.4%
4. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 3.8%
Who is the player most likely to get a rebound if a game depended on it?
1. Ben Wallace, Detroit – 46.2%
2. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers – 38.5%
T-3. Dale Davis, Portland – 3.8%
T-3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 3.8%
T-3. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 3.8%
T-3. Alonzo Mourning, Miami – 3.8%
Which player do you most enjoy watching?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 26.9%
2. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 19.2%
3. Tracy McGrady, Orlando – 15.4%
4. Michael Jordan, Washington – 11.5%
T-5. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 7.7%
T-5. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, John Stockton
Who is the NBA’s best point guard?
1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 100.0%
Who is the NBA’s best shooting guard?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 92.3%
T-2. Michael Jordan, Washington – 3.8%
T-2. Paul Pierce, Boston – 3.8%
Who is the NBA’s best small forward?
1. Tracy McGrady, Orlando – 65.4%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 19.2%
3. Paul Pierce, Boston – 7.7%
T-4. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 3.8%
T-4. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 3.8%
Who is the NBA’s best power forward?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 80.8%
2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 11.5%
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 7.7%
Who is the NBA’s best center?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers – 100.0%
Who is the NBA’s best international player?
1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 80.8%
2. Pau Gasol, Memphis – 11.5%
3. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 7.7%
COACHES
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers – 38.5%
2. Larry Brown, Philadelphia – 26.9%
T-3. Rick Adelman, Sacramento – 7.7%
T-3. Pat Riley, Miami – 7.7%
T-3. Jerry Sloan, Utah – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Doug Collins, Nate McMillan, Flip Saunders
Who is the head coach with the best motivational skills in the NBA?
T-1. Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers – 40.0%
T-1. Pat Riley, Miami – 40.0%
3. Larry Brown, Philadelphia – 8.0%
4. Jerry Sloan, Utah – 7.7%
T-5. Nate McMillan, Seattle – 4.0%
T-5. Jim O’Brien, Boston – 4.0%
T-5. Doc Rivers, Orlando – 4.0%
Who is the head coach with the best strategic skills (X’s and O’s) in the NBA?
1. Larry Brown, Philadelphia – 48.0%
2. Pat Riley, Miami – 20.0%
3. Jim O’Brien, Boston – 12.0%
4. Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers – 8.0%
T-5. Don Nelson, Dallas – 4.0%
T-5. Flip Saunders, Minnesota – 4.0%
T-5. Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston – 4.0%
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
T-1. Dick Harter – 20.0%
T-1. Phil Johnson – 20.0%
T-3. Del Harris – 16.0%
T-3. Eddie Jordan – 16.0%
5. Tex Winter – 8.0%
> Also receiving votes: Brian Hill, Brian James, Don Nelson, Tom Thibodeau, Stan Van Gundy
DEFENSE
Who is the best defender in the NBA?
1. Gary Payton – 46.2%
2. Bruce Bowen – 11.5%
T-3. Kobe Bryant – 7.7%
T-3. Ben Wallace – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Dikembe Mutombo, Shaquille O’Neal, Clifford Robinson
Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?
1. Kevin Garnett – 23.1%
T-2. Tracy McGrady – 11.5%
T-2. Ben Wallace – 11.5%
T-4. Kobe Bryant – 7.7%
T-4. Gary Payton – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Ron Artest, Bruce Bowen, Greg Buckner, Doug Christie, Tim Duncan, Robert Horry, Jason Kidd, Ira Newble, Ruben Patterson, Clifford Robinson – 3.8%
OFFENSE
NBA GMs viewed Jason Kidd as the best passer and ball-handler entering the 2002-03 season.
Who is the best pure shooter in the NBA?
1. Ray Allen, Milwaukee – 34.6%
2. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento – 26.9%
3. Reggie Miller, Indiana – 19.2%
4. Allan Houston, New York – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Dell Curry, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki
Who is the best passer in the NBA?
1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 69.2%
2. John Stockton, Utah – 23.1%
T-3. Baron Davis, Charlotte – 3.8%
T-3. Chris Webber, Sacramento – 3.8%
Who has the best ball-handling skills in the NBA?
1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 26.9%
T-2. John Stockton, Utah – 15.4%
T-2. Jason Williams, Sacramento – 15.4%
4. Stephon Marbury, Phoenix – 11.75%
T-5. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 7.7%
T-5. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Baron Davis, Andre Miller, Steve Nash, Jamaal Tinsley
Who has the best athleticism in the NBA?
1. Vince Carter, Toronto – 30.8%
2. Tracy McGrady, Orlando – 23.1%
3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 15.4%
T-4. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota – 7.7%
T-4. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia – 7.7%
T-4. Darius Miles, LA Clippers – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Shawn Marion, Jason Richardson
Who has the best basketball instincts in the NBA?
T-1. Jason Kidd, New Jersey – 26.9%
T-1. John Stockton, Utah – 26.9%
T-3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 11.5%
T-3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 11.5%
T-3. Michael Jordan, Washington – 11.5%
> Also receiving votes: Mike Bibby, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki
ROOKIES & MISCELLANEOUS
Who is the NBA’s most underrated player?
1. Steve Nash, Dallas – 16.0%
2. Andre Miller, LA Clippers- 8.0%
> Also receiving votes: Darrell Armstrong, Brent Barry, Elton Brand, Vince Carter, Doug Christie, Robert Horry, Bobby Jackson, Andrei Kirilenko, Jamaal Magloire, Stephon Marbury, Aaron McKie, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, Clifford Robinson, Eric Snow, Steve Smith, Kenny Thomas, Ben Wallace
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2002-03?
1. Darius Miles, LA Clippers – 15.4%
2. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey – 11.5%
T-3. Rashard Lewis, Seattle – 7.7%
T-3. Jason Richardson, Golden State – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Courtney Alexander, Vin Baker, Jonathan Bender, Mike Bibby, Pau Gasol, Eddie Griffin, Al Harrington, Andrei Kirilenko, Corey Magette, Stephon Marbury, Kenyon Martin, Andre Miller, Yao Ming, Jermaine O’Neal, Jason Terry
Who will win the 2002-03 ‘Got Milk’ Rookie of the Year Award?
T-1. Yao Ming, Houston – 26.9%
T-1. Jay Williams, Chicago – 26.9%
3. Drew Gooden, Memphis – 15.4%
T-4. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio – 7.7%
T-4. Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix – 7.7%
T-5. Dajuan Wagner, Cleveland – 7.7%
> Also receiving votes: Caron Butler, Mike Dunleavy
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers – 64.0%
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 28.0%
T-3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 4.0%
T-3. Tracy McGrady, Orlando – 4.0%
Which country other than the United States is most likely to produce the most NBA players in the next decade?
1. Yugoslavia – 87.0%
2. China – 8.7%
3. Spain – 4.3%
Which continent other than North America is most likely to produce the most NBA players in the next decade?
1. Europe – 78.3%
2. South America – 13.0%
3. Asia – 8.7%
Which teammates comprise the best duo in the NBA?
1. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 100.0%
Which team will be the NBA’s most improved in 2002-03?
1. Atlanta Hawks – 47.8%
2. Houston Rockets – 17.4%
3. Washington Wizards – 13.0%
4. Golden State Warriors – 8.7%
T-5. Chicago Bulls – 4.3%
T-5. Memphis Grizzlies – 4.3%
T-5. New York Knicks – 4.3%
Which team do you most enjoy watching?
1. Sacramento – 44.0%
2. L.A. Lakers – 24.0%
T-3. Dallas – 8.0%
T-3. Utah – 8.0%
T-3. Washington – 8.0%
T-5. New Jersey – 4.0%
T-5. Seattle – 4.0%
