Oklahoma City Thunder, Favorites for Next Season According to NBA Survey
The traditional annual NBA survey, conducted among the offices of the league’s 30 teams, has revealed its predictions for the upcoming season. The Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging as the main candidates to defend their title.
As in previous surveys, the Thunder stand out as the undisputed favorites to win the championship. An impressive 80% of NBA general managers back OKC to achieve the two-peat.
If the Thunder achieve this milestone, it would be the first time since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2018 that a team repeats as champion.
Other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets received some votes, while the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks each got a mention.
The survey, which is sent to the 30 teams and prohibits teams from voting for themselves or players on their own roster, also predicts Oklahoma City and Cleveland as the favorites in their respective conferences. The Thunder received 87% of the votes for first place, and 10% for second.
In the Eastern Conference, Cleveland and New York were unanimously selected to finish in the top three. The Cavaliers obtained 63% of the votes for first place, 27% for second, and 7% for third. The Knicks, for their part, received 30%, 53%, and 13% respectively.
The survey also revealed the predictions for individual awards and other highlights of the season.Featured Individual Predictions
Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets was the clear favorite to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, with 67% of the votes. Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs was chosen as the player general managers would choose to start a franchise, obtaining 83% of the votes.
Amen Thompson of the Rockets was the top vote-getter to have a breakout season, with 30% of the vote.
Regarding the best players by position, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jokic were chosen.
In the offseason superlatives section, the Hawks were chosen as the team with the best offseason, followed by the Rockets and the Nuggets. Kevin Durant’s trade to the Rockets was considered the most impactful offseason move.
The Magic were chosen as the most improved team and the one that made the most underrated move by acquiring Desmond Bane. The Thunder were named the best defensive team in the league.
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks rookie, was the big favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award and to be the best rookie of this class in five years. Kasparas Jakucionis, from the Miami Heat, was chosen as the biggest steal of this year’s draft.
In the individual superlatives section, Wembanyama was chosen as the league’s best defensive player. Erik Spoelstra was selected as the best coach for the sixth consecutive season. Jokic was chosen as the best passer and player with the highest basketball IQ. Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama tied as the league’s most versatile player, and Stephen Curry was chosen as the player you want to take the shot with the game on the line.
