The 2023-24 season begins in slightly below two weeks (simply over for Spurs followers), and the annual GM Survey has been launched. Not too surprisingly, all votes the Spurs acquired have been on the subject of rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and Corridor of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich.
Within the “participant” class, Wemby got here in second with 23% (or 7) of the votes concerning if a crew may choose one participant to construct a franchise round at present, who would it not be. Nikola Jokic unsurprisingly got here in first, however it’s slightly fascinating seeing Wemby nonetheless forward of different younger, confirmed gamers who nonetheless arguably have their primes forward of them, comparable to Luka Doncic and perhaps Jayson Tatum. It’s anybody’s guess as two whether or not that claims extra about Wemby or them. (Or it’d simply imply that GMs predict the current shift again to huge males dominating the league will stick round for some time.)
Within the “offseason strikes” class, he got here in tied for fourth at 7% (or 2) of the votes for the participant acquisition that can have the most important impression, behind runaway winner Damian Lillard (Bucks), Jrue Vacation (Celtics), and Bradley Beal (Suns), and tied with Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics) and Fred VanVleet (Rockets).
And naturally there’s the “Rookies and Worldwide” section, and that’s the place Wemby actually shines. He obtained 50% of the vote to win Rookie of the Yr (adopted by Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren), and a whopping 90% of the vote for rookie who would be the finest participant in 5 years. He didn’t get any “worldwide recognition”, comparable to finest worldwide participant, however that can probably change with time, and contemplating the survey exhibits final 12 months’s winners, right here’s a reminder he was voted as the very best worldwide participant not within the NBA a 12 months in the past.
Within the “coaches” part, Pop remains to be getting some love regardless of his membership not being on prime of the league for some time now. He got here in tied with Steve Kerr with 7% of the votes for finest coach within the NBA, behind Eric Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue (?). He additionally got here in fourth with 13% of the vote for finest supervisor/motivator and acquired one vote for finest in-game changes. (As an added bonus, Patty Mills acquired a vote for which lively participant will make the very best coach sometime, and it wouldn’t shock me if that got here from Brian Wright.)
Lastly, whereas the Spurs didn’t get any recognition within the “miscellaneous” part (random questions like who you’ll need taking the ultimate shot), it’s probably be aware worthy that they weren’t on anybody’s minds for questions like finest younger core, groups that can make the most important turnaround, participant more than likely to have a breakout season, and so on. It will likely be fascinating to see if they’re able to change any minds this season, particularly concerning the younger core. It would actually be fascinating to revisit this once more subsequent 12 months!
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