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Most NBA GMs pick Clippers or Bucks to win 2020 NBA title in annual survey, Lakers third

LA Clippers v Milwaukee Bucks

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks against the LA Clippers on March 28, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).

NBAE via Getty Images

The top of our 50 best players in 5 years list:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

2. Anthony Davis

3. Luka Doncic

Apparently, NBA general managers hold similar views. Though they answered a slightly different question in their annual survey on NBA.com, the polled general managers had the same top three:

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee -- 86%

2. Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers -- 7%

Luka Doncic, Dallas -- 7%


Antetokounmpo won this category last year, but with just 30% of votes. An MVP season will certainly spark consensus.

The Bucks forward is the first player to claim a majority of votes in this category since Anthony Davis in 2015. Davis’ reign was short-lived. Karl-Anthony Towns claimed the top spot the following two years (though with just a plurality of votes).

Other interesting results:

Which team will win the 2020 NBA Finals?

1. LA Clippers -- 46%

2. Milwaukee Bucks -- 36%

3. Los Angeles Lakers -- 11%

Also receiving votes: Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers


I’d favor the Clippers (though not over the field) followed by the Lakers. But the Bucks have an easier path from the East. They also don’t engender the resentment the Lakers do.

Who will win the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year?

1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans -- 68%

2. Ja Morant, Memphis -- 29%

3. Darius Garland, Cleveland -- 4%


Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans -- 68%

2. Ja Morant, Memphis -- 18%

3. Cameron Reddish, Atlanta -- 7%

Also receiving votes: Jarrett Culver, Minnesota; Darius Garland, Cleveland


Will Zion Williamson win Rookie of the Year? Will he have the best career of this rookie class (which is essentially what the second question asks)? Neither are locks against the field. But I don’t understand naming another rookie ahead of the generationally athletic and productive No. 1 pick.

Yet, a full third of responding NBA general managers did just that. Wild!

I’m guessing (hoping?) some just wanted to give a contrarian take. Show me the general manager who’d actually trade Williamson for Morant, Reddish, Culver or Garland.

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio -- 55%

2. Erik Spoelstra, Miami -- 17%

3. Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee -- 10%

4. Steve Kerr, Golden State -- 7%

Also receiving votes: Steve Clifford, Orlando; Doc Rivers, LA Clippers; Quin Snyder, Utah


There’s nothing crazy about these results… except last year’s leader – Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who received 47% of the vote – got no votes this year. That’s a steep drop, especially for a category that isn’t even about performance this season. The best coach probably doesn’t fluctuate that much annually.

Only perception did, which says something about how long to hold onto these survey results.