Nate McMillan and the Pacers open the 2016-17 season at home, Oct. 26 against Dallas.
It’s that time of year, where NBA general managers anonymously share their opinions on the upcoming season in the annual NBA GM Survey, conducted by John Schuhmann.
League general managers liked the Pacers’ offseason, ranking it second behind the obvious — Golden State.
The Warriors received nearly every vote — 83.3 percent to be exact. The Pacers and Utah Jazz, who were part of a three-team deal that netted the Pacers Jeff Teague and the Jazz George Hill, tied for second (6.7 percent).
It’s fitting then, that Hill (24.1 percent) and Teague (13.8) were one and two for most underrated player acquisition. (Pacers acquiring Thad Young also received votes.)
Three-time All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist Paul George earned the sixth most votes for league MVP honors (3.3 percent). LeBron James was the favorite (46.7), followed by Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Kevin Durant.
Coming off of his rookie season and an excellent showing at USA Basketball training camp with the select team, Myles Turner is highly thought of, too. He was the third pick (10.3 percent) in most likely to have a breakout season. Phoenix’s Devin Booker received 31 percent of the vote and Karl-Anthony Towns was second (13.8).
[Click here to see the full results.]
Larry Bird called longtime Pacers assistant Dan Burke his top free agent this summer. Burke returned — he joined the franchise on Bird’s bench in 1997 — and he finished tied in third in voting for the league’s best assistant coach.
Ron Adams (Golden State) was first, then Stephen Silas (Charlotte). Burke shares third place with James Borrego (San Antonio), receiving 6.9 percent of votes.
NBA GMs envision the Eastern Conference filling out like this:
- Cleveland
- Toronto
- Boston
- Indiana (16.7 percent picked them third, 32.1 percent in fourth)
- Detroit
- Atlanta
- Charlotte
- Washington
- Chicago
It’s also worth noting that Boston head coach Brad Stevens, who has been in the league just three seasons. The 2016-17 season will be his fourth, but already it appears he’s regarded as a top three coach in the NBA.
Stevens came up third in “best head coach,” “best manager/motivator of people,” and “best in-game adjustments.”
> Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 83.3%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 13.3%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 3.3%
> Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 66.7%
2. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 16.7%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 6.7%
> Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 41.4%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 31.0%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 13.8%