The 2019-20 NBA GM Survey Results Are In And There Are Some Surprising Results

I love the annual NBA GM Survey. It’s one thing for everyone to argue about things on Twitter, it’s another to hear from the people actually involved in the league and are way more qualified to share their opinion on a wide variety of NBA topics. Sometimes things are predictable and not all that different from the general public, but sometimes there are some shocking responses and this was one of those years. It’s pretty damn long so you can comb through the whole thing here but here are a couple that stood out to me

So it’s not surprising that the Clippers and the Bucks got the most votes, I mean LAC has been the Vegas favorite since their epic summer haul. But what confused me is I’ve been tweeted at probably 1000000 times that the Sixers are the best team in the East and are going to win the Finals. Weird they didn’t even get a vote from people who actually know what they’re talking about. The Blazers got votes but they didn’t, really makes you think.

Buy comparison, GS was 87% last season so this just shows how wide open things may be this year.

The rankings in the East were pretty predictable but the West Top 8 is a different story. It looks like GMs are also buying into that UTA hype because it’s pretty wild to see them ahead of someone like HOU who upgraded their PG spot. What’s even crazier is a lot of people think they’ll end up third even over the Lakers. I wonder if they put in these answers before seeing UTA’s defense this preseason, cuz that feels super high.

Also, why do people keep disrespecting and sleeping on the Blazers? I feel like that happens every year and now they are going to slide all the way to 7th? I feel like they put GS ahead of them out of respect, but I would be shocked if the Warriors finished ahead of POR if everyone on the Blazers stays healthy.

Harden can’t even get into the top 5? I mean he’s finished in the top 2 in 4 out of the last 5 seasons. He’ll probably lead the league in scoring again just like he pretty much does every year. They should win close to 50 games. It just feels wrong to not have him in the top 5. Who would I replace for Harden? Probably Kawhi, mostly because he’s going to have all that load management. I just can’t imagine a world where a guy who is going to average over 30 a game shouldn’t be in the top 5 for votes.

Are UTA’s moves really underrated if everyone is now loving them as a Western Conference contender? I feel like they were properly rated when both those moves happened. Maybe that’s because there’s this narrative that Mike Conley is underrated? I’m not sure. Like how does Julius Randle in NYK not make this list? Or Ricky Rubio in PHX? Or Jake Layman in MIN? To me those are underrated moves.

A younger me would be very mad online that someone like Steve Clifford got more votes than Brad Stevens, but I actually love it. Brad STUNK last year. His rotations were all fucked up, he definitely deserves his fair share fo the blame pie for their disaster season, and now he can assume his underdog role that he usually flourishes in. So thank you GMs around the league, you not even having Brad Stevens in the top 7 is the best thing I’ve read all day.

Also, I’d put Snyder over Kerr. Let’s see how Kerr does when he doesn’t have a stacked deck this year.

With the Zion factor and how strong their other rookies look in preseason you have to have NO at #1, not even factoring in Lonzo/Ingram etc who are both young. What’s scary though is you look at someone like DEN and not only are they one of the best teams in the NBA, but all their main guys are 24 and under and even their legit depth is all young as hell. It’s a little weird that PHI is still considered a “young” core when their core is now 27, 25, and 23, I feel like you have to be like 24 and under to qualify for this list.

Not seen, Kyrie Irving. I for one am shocked.

The playoff seeding always wins, but for me it’s free agency before the Draft. I know it’s extremely complicated and probably impossible, but I think you should know what your team is going to look like before you draft, especially if you are a high lottery team with cap space. If you land a stud free agent maybe you go in a different direction at the draft. Maybe you’re more willing to make a draft day trade if you know you landed a key piece in free agency. I care way more about that than 1-16 playoff seeding. Teams are so good now for the most part the playoffs are already wildly entertaining. Give me free agency reform instead.

If you have some time I suggest working your way through the whole thing if you’re like me and are starting to get that basketball itch with Tuesday quickly approaching. Based on what I included in this blog though, do you disagree with any of it? There will probably be some butthurt Lakers fans or something because of all the love for the Clips and some salty Rockets fans for SURE, but what stood out to you?