By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Almost half of the general managers of NBA teams believe that Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will be named MVP of the 2022-23 season.
In the annual survey that was published by NBA.com, 48 percent pick Doncic as the player who will become the next NBA MVP. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo received 34 percent of the votes while reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic doesn’t even appear on the list.
If 82 percent of the NBA general managers are correct, then a European player will be NBA MVP for a fifth straight year. Jokic still got a whooping 79 percent against Joel Embiid’s 17 percent in the question about who is the best center in the league.
Doncic and Giannis dominate the preferences of NBA general managers in various other polls.
One rather surprising result is that 45 percent of the executives pick projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama as the best international player outside the NBA, leaving reigning EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic in second place with 28 percent. Anadolu Efes star and 2022 Final Four MVP Vasilije Micic is third with 21 percent of the votes.
The full survey is as follows, per NBA:
Which team will win the 2023 NBA Finals?
1. Milwaukee Bucks – 43%
2. Golden State Warriors – 25%
3. LA Clippers – 21%
4. Boston Celtics – 11%
» Last year: Brooklyn Nets – 72%
Who will win the 2022-23 Kia MVP?
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 48%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 34%
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 14%
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 3%
» Last year: Kevin Durant – 37%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 55%
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 45%
» Last year: Luka Doncic – 43%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 52%
T-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 14%
T-2. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 14%
T-4. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 7%
T-4. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn; Ja Morant, Memphis
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 27%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2022-23?
1. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 21%
T-2. Cade Cunningham, Detroit – 17%
T-2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 17%
4. Zion Williamson, New Orleans – 14%
» Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers; Rudy Gobert, Minnesota; Jalen Green, Houston; Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana; Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia; Ben Simmons, Brooklyn; Anfernee Simons, Portland; Franz Wagner, Orlando
» Last year: Jaren Jackson Jr. – 17%
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 72%
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 14%
3. Chris Paul, Phoenix – 10%
4. Trae Young, Atlanta – 3%
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 57%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Devin Booker, Phoenix – 45%
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 28%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Bradley Beal, Washington; James Harden, Philadelphia; Jayson Tatum, Boston
» Last year: James Harden – 63%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn – 45%
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 24%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 17%
4. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 10%
5. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 3%
» Last year: Kevin Durant – 67%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 86%
2. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 10%
3. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn – 3%
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 63%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 79%
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 17%
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokic – 63%
Highest percentage of total votes on position questions
T-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 18%
T-1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 18%
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 16%
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 12%
5. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn – 10%
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – 41%
T-2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 17%
T-2. Philadelphia 76ers – 17%
T-2. Utah Jazz – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings
» Last year: Miami Heat – 47%
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 59%
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 31%
3. Jalen Brunson, New York – 7%
4. P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia – 3%
» Last year: Kyle Lowry – 77%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Malcolm Brogdon, Boston – 28%
T-2. P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia – 14%
T-2. John Wall, LA Clippers – 14%
4. De’Anthony Melton, Philadelphia – 10%
5. Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Barton/Morris, Washington; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver; Rudy Gobert, Minnesota; Jerami Grant, Portland; Kevin Huerter, Sacramento; Dejounte Murray, Atlanta; Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn; Nets not trading stars
» Last year: Larry Nance Jr. – 28%
Which team will be most improved in 2021-22?
1. LA Clippers – 41%
T-2. Cleveland Cavaliers – 17%
T-2. New Orleans Pelicans – 17%
4. Minnesota Timberwolves – 10%
» Also receiving votes: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings
» Last year: Chicago Bulls – 27%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. Rudy Gobert to Minnesota – 47%
2. Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland – 43%
3. Dejounte Murray to Atlanta – 7%
4. Andre Drummond to Chicago – 3%
» Last year: Russell Westbrook to the Lakers – 50%
Who will win the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year?
1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando – 79%
2. Keegan Murray, Sacramento – 17%
3. Jabari Smith, Houston – 3%
» Last year: Jalen Green – 47%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando – 31%
2. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City – 28%
T-3. Jaden Ivey, Detroit – 14%
T-3. Jabari Smith, Houston – 14%
5. Keegan Murray, Sacramento – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Dyson Daniels, New Orleans; Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana
» Last year: Evan Mobley – 33%
» Five years ago: Josh Jackson – 24%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
T-1. Jalen Duren (13), Detroit – 14%
T-1. Tari Eason (17), Houston – 14%
T-3. A.J. Griffin (16), Atlanta – 10%
T-3. Shaedon Sharpe (7), Portland – 10%
T-5. Jaden Ivey (5), Detroit – 7%
T-5. Keegan Murray (4), Sacramento – 7%
T-5. Jalen Williams (12), Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: MarJon Beauchamp (24), Milwaukee; Malaki Branham (20), San Antonio; Christian Braun (21), Denver; Dyson Daniels (8), New Orleans; Jaden Hardy (37), Dallas; Kenneth Lofton Jr. (undrafted), Memphis; Tyrese Martin (51), Atlanta; Bennedict Mathurin (6), Indiana; Peyton Watson (30), Denver
» Last year: Jalen Suggs – 23%
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 57%
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 28%
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 16%
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 60%
Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama – 45%
2. Nikola Mirotic – 28%
3. Vasilije Micic – 21%
» Also receiving votes: Edy Tavares; Sasha Vezenkov
» Last year: Nikola Mirotic – 53%