The Best Team?

For the 2nd straight year the Miami Heat are the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA title. Last year 74% of GM's predicted the Heat to win and this year 70% of GM's felt the same. The Los Angeles Lakers finished 2nd with 23.3% and the Oklahoma City Thunder were 3rd at just 6.7%. In addition, 96.7% of GM's picked the Heat to win the eastern conference while just 3.3% chose the Boston Celtics.

Interesting to note, is the drastic percentage changes in the western conferences. The Lakers were the overwhelming pick for best offseason moves (86.2%) but also garnered 60% of votes to win the west. Despite reaching the NBA finals, the Thunder dropped significantly in one year in western conference votes, going from the clear favorite (67.9%) to the runner up (36.7%).

Shockingly only 5 teams received any votes to win their respective conferences: Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets.

MVP?

Last year Kevin Durant was the favorite to win the award, collecting 66.7% of votes but this year he took a backseat to the reigning MVP, LeBron James. Ironically 66.7% of GM's predicted LeBron as the MVP this year with Durant receiving 30% and Carmelo Anthony garnering 3.3% of votes.

Perhaps what's even more impressive is that for the 5th time in the last 7 seasons, GM's have predicted LeBron James to the be the MVP.

NBA.com GM Survey - MVP prediction

Best Players?

When asked if they could sign one player right now to build a franchise around, 80% of GM's voted LeBron James. That's a staggering statistical display of dominance, respect and admiration from around the league. LeBron has played 9 seasons and will be turning 28 in December, but is still leaps and bounds ahead of his peers in the eyes of general managers. Kevin Durant finished 2nd with 16.7% and Dwight Howard received 3.3% of votes.

LeBron was also the leading vote getter (50%) for the player that causes opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. I'm sure Scott Brooks cringed when he read that poll. As recently saw in the NBA finals, Erik Spoelstra and the Heat displayed "positionless" basketball, withe Lebron operating as the head of the snake. I wouldn't want to guard him either.

LeBron also ranked first as the league's most athletic player (62.1%), the best finisher (66.7%) and the most dangerous in the open floor (60%).

Veteran Ray Allen also ranked the best in a few categories, collecting 56.7% of votes as the best pure shooter and 56.7% of votes as the best at moving without the ball.

To no surprise, LeBron James was voted the best small forward in the league for the 7th straight year. What's most interesting and legitimately scary for opposing teams, is that LeBron was also ranked 3rd (16.7%) in the list of the NBA's best power forwards, only behind Kevin Love (30%) and Dirk Nowitzki (23.3%)

NBA.com GM survey - best player by position

Perhaps this year, fans will finally get to see the dream matchup come true of Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James. Although in all likelihood, Dwyane Wade and Shane Battier should see the most time guarding the Black Mamba should this finals matchup happen. Only time will tell.

You can view the full list and breakdown of the GM survey on NBA.com.