A National Basketball Association survey of club general managers released Wednesday by the league shows top executives like the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2009 NBA title.
The seventh annual secret vote ahead of Tuesday start of the 2008-2009 season showed general managers expect the Lakers to avenge their loss to the Boston Celtics in last June's NBA Finals by beating them in next year's final.
A total of 46 percent of the league's 30 team decision makers liked the Lakers to take the crown with defending champion Boston next at 19 percent followed by New Orleans at 12 percent.
The San Antonio Spurs were not the top pick for the first time in five years in the poll, garnering only eight percent.
Cleveland playmaker LeBron James was predicted to become NBA Most Valuable Player by 56 percent of general managers and 2008 MVP Kobe Bryant of the Lakers was next at 37 percent. New Orleans' Chris Paul was third with seven percent.
Miami's Michael Beasley, the second selection in June's NBA Draft, was predicted to take NBA Rookie of the Year honors at 48 percent.
Last year's top overall pick, Portland center Greg Oden, was second on 30 percent. He missed last season with an injury.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was named the top non-US player, the German taking 67 percent of votes among international talent.
Chinese star Yao Ming, who had been rated the NBA's best center in the poll last year, was overtaken by Orlando star Dwight Howard, who took 56 percent of votes. Paul topped Canadian Steve Nash of Phoenix for top point guard as well.
Forward James and shooting guard Bryant were named the best at their positions along with power forward Tim Duncan of San Antonio. Bryant and Duncan have topped the vote at their positions in every year of the poll.
James was named top player execs would sign to build a team around while Bryant was named the one they most wanted to take a last-second shot with the outcome at stake.
Greg Popovich was named best coach in the NBA with 54 percent of votes while Boston's Kevin Garnett was picked as top defensive player and Lakers' big man Andrew Bynum tabbed as top pick to have a breakout season after being injured most of last season.
(Agencies via China Daily October 23, 2008)