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NBA GM Survey: Grizzlies Edition

By Bob Ahern

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Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The league’s general managers have gone out on a limb this year by picking the Miami Heat to win their third straight title, and LeBron James as the best player according to NBA.com’s 12th annual GM Survey.

All 30 GMs responded to 56 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, fans, and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel.

Where do the Grizzlies stand in the eyes of the GMs? There are categories of questions. Let’s see. The Predictions category seems to be all about teams. No votes for the Grizzlies to win it all, no votes for them to be Western Conference champs. Here we go, even if they aren’t picked to win the Southwest Division, surely someone voted for them. Right? Nope, all votes cast for San Antonio (70%) and Houston (30%).

So, no recognition or respect given to them as a team. What are these other categories?

  • Players
  • Offseason Moves
  • Rookies & International
  • Defense
  • Coaches
  • Misscellaneous

Let me make this easy for you. The Grizzlies are not mentioned, meaning not a single vote, in four of the seven categories. They are mentioned in Players, Rookies & International and, you guessed it: Defense.

In the Players section, where the questions include which player is best at each position. Marc Gasol (20.7%) was voted the second best center behind Dwight Howard (65.5%). No mention of Mike Conley or Zach Randolph. Not a vote.

In Rookies & International, Marc Gasol comes in second in Best International Player at (26.7%) behind Tony Parker at (53.4%).

Defense. Memphis ought to really rack up the accolades here, right? Not so much. Many mentions, but not many top honors. You want the bad news or the good news first?

Let’s go with the good news. Tony Allen was named the best perimeter defender in the league. Best defensive player? That would be Dwight Howard, with Tony Allen third. Marc Gasol, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year? “Also Receiving Votes”.

Best Interior Defender? That would be Dwight Howard, with Marc tied for third place with Roy Hibbert and Sir Chewbaka. This must have been a shotblocking competition.

Alright. Here we go, here we go: Best Defensive Team: Memphis is fourth with 6.7 percent of the vote.

Coaches? Nope, no mention.

Miscellaneous? Well, there was no question about the most underrated or the most overlooked by Geaneral Managers. Of the 16 questions in this category, Memphis is mentioned in 5 of them:

  • Best Offensive Rebounder – Zach (24.1%) took 2nd behind Kevin Love (41.4%).
  • Best Passer – Marc Gasol “Also receiving votes”. Chris Paul won with 46.7%.
  • Marc Gasol placed second (13.8%) in Makes the Most of Limited Athletic Ability with a bunch of other white guys.
  • The Toughest Player is Kobe Bryant? Zach and Tony both “Also receiving votes”.
  • Highest Basketball IQ is Chris Paul?? Marc Gasol received votes.

If you want to review the complete list, it’s here:
http://www.nba.com/news/2013-14-nba-gm-survey/

"Come here young fella and hear what greatness is about.– Tony Allen playfully beckoning Ed Davis to come and listen to his interview"

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