2013-14 NBA Preview

By Michael Schneid

Yesterday, NBA.com posted their annual GM Survey. So MotleySports took those questions and gave our own answers and some insight into the answers. We omitted some of the questions about coaches and players and focused more on the prediction-based questions.

 

Which team will win the 2014 NBA Finals? 

Los Angeles Clippers
Doc Rivers brings a winning attitude and Chris Paul will prove he is best PG in NBA

 

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?

Indiana Pacers
Return of Danny Granger and serious bench upgrades puts Pacers one game further than last season

Which team will win the Western Conference?

Los Angeles Clippers
See Above

Which team will win the Atlantic Division?

New York Knicks
Nets made serious upgrades but Knicks improved too from 56 win team

Which team will win the Central Division?

Indiana Pacers
Bulls give them run for money but Granger's return plus Luis Scola trade make Pacers even better

Which team will win the Southeast Division?

Miami Heat
This was tough debating between Heat and Magic or Bobcats

Which team will win the Southwest Division?

San Antonio Spurs
While Houston builds chemistry, Spurs will be winning games

Which team will win the Northwest Division?

Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook will return soon enough and Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb are ready to step up

Which team will win the Pacific Division?

Los Angeles Clippers
Top to bottom might be most talented and balanced team in the NBA
 

PLAYERS

Who will win the 2013-14 MVP?

Chris Paul, PG, LA Clippers
Will help lead Clippers to best record in West

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?

Lebron James, Miami
Duh

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2013-14?

Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City
Love Jonas Valanciunas too but without Harden and Kevin Martin, Lamb will start and shine and second scoring option to Durant (at least until Westbrook is healthy)

OFFSEASON MOVES

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?

LA Clippers
Hiring Doc Rivers, re-signing Chris Paul, acquiring JJ Reddick and Jared Dudley 

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

Dwight Howard, Rockets
Despite the baggage, still the best center in the NBA 

What was the most underrated player acquisition?

Mike Miller, Grizzlies
Memphis was a bad three point shooting team and Miller doesn't miss in the playoffs of finals

Which team will be most improved in 2013-14?

Cleveland Cavaliers

Andrew Bynum (if healthy), Anthony Bennett, Jarrett Jack acquisitions will push Cavs to first playoff berth since Lebron

What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

Andre Iguodala to the Warriors
Mainly because they have Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes so he didn't seem like a fit
 

ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL

Who will win the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year?

Victor Oladipo, Magic
Oladipo gets the vote because guys like Anthony Bennett and CJ McCollum will be role players on good teams. Oladipo gets to shine on a bad team

Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
Thought about Nerlens Noel, Oladipo, and Bennett here, but Giannis has a chance to develop into one of the top international players in the league if the Bucks bring him along slowly

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?

Nerlens Noel (6), 76ers
Most people had Noel pegged as the number pick and best player in the draft but a serious knee injury dropped him to 6. Philly wins because they will be terrible in 2014 and are building towards future, where he will be a big piece

Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2013-14?

Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto
Without Andrea Bargnani, it is time for JV to shine and become Toronto's go-to player

Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?

Nikola Mirotic
The Bulls own his rights

MISCELLANEOUS

Which team is the most fun to watch?

Golden State Warriors
Can shoot the lights out with Steph Curry and now have Andre Iguodala and exciting young players in Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes