NBA GM Survey has Nets finishing fourth in East, but individual players get little respect

NBA.com’s annual GM survey, conducted by John Schuhmann (founder of this site ... all bow) is out! While the league’s general managers think the Nets will finish fourth in the East, behind the 76ers, Bucks and Celtics, individual players get little respect from Sean Marks counterparts.

The Nets get no votes to finish first or second and a 21 percent chance for third place. (Then again, last year, no one thought the Nets could make the playoffs. So there’s that.)

But in terms of individual accolades, the Nets players were mostly relegated to “also receiving votes.” Of course, the GM’s don’t believe KD will be back this season and so barely mentioned him in voting for things like like best power forward. Durant did get three percent of the vote, the fifth highest, in answer to “which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?”

The biggest diss had to be the absence of Irving in many categories. He didn’t get any votes in the “Who is the best point guard in the NBA?” nor “Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?” despite being named second team All-NBA at the point last season. Joe Harris got no votes in the “pure shooter” category as well ... despite having the best 3-point percentage in the league and winning the 3-point shooting contest at the All-Star Game.

Durant and Irving did make the cut when GMs were asked, “Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?” KD finished second to Steph Curry with 11 percent of the vote, Kyrie fifth with seven percent.

In terms of the biggest head-scratcher, the Nets didn’t get any votes when NBA GMs were asked, “What was the most surprising move of the off-season?” despite the signings of Durant, Irving and DeAndre Jordan. None.

Nets were tied for third with Utah when GMs were asked, “Which team made the best overall moves this off-season?” The Clippers were the overwhelming favorite of the GM’s followed by the Pelicans in that category. They were also tied for fourth, with the Hawks, Bulls and Pelicans when GMs were asked, “Which team will be most improved in 2018-19?”

Nicolas Claxton was listed among “also receiving votes” under “Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?” Same with Spencer Dinwiddie in “What bench player makes the biggest impact when he enters the game?”

Kenny Atkinson also got some votes in two coaching categories: “Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?” and “Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?”

Two Nets vets, Garrett Temple and Lance Thomas received votes when GMs were asked “Which active player will make the best head coach someday?”

The GMs responded to 50 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. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.

• NBA.com 2019-20 GM Survey - John Schuhmann - NBA.com