Annual GM Survey Shows Plenty Of Attention Towards The Houston Rockets

uOct 19, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets teammates James Harden , Dwight Howard and Jeremy Lin watch the Daniel Cormier and Roy Nelson heavyweight bout during UFC 166 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

In the 12th annual NBA General Manager’s survey, the Houston Rockets have definitely caught the eyes of many throughout the league, as they came in first on a variety of questions and topics. 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.

While almost 76 percent of the GMs voted that the Miami Heat would three-peat as NBA champions, 3.3 percent voted for the Rockets to win the West, while 30 percent voted for the Rockets to win the Southwest Division.

Below are the full results of each category that the Rockets were involved in:

Which team will win the Western Conference?

1. San Antonio — 40.0%

2. Oklahoma City — 36.7%

3. L.A. Clippers — 20.0%

4. Houston — 3.3%

Last year: L.A. Lakers — 60.0%

Which team will win the Southwest Division?

1. San Antonio — 70.0%

2. Houston — 30.0%

Last year: San Antonio — 96.7%

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

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans — 27.6%

2. Andre Drummond , Detroit — 10.3%

3. Derrick Favors, Utah; Paul George, Indiana; Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City — 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Bradley Beal, Washington; James Harden, Houston; Tobias Harris, Orlando; Gordon Hayward, Utah; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Kevin Love, Minnesota; Klay Thompson, Golden State; Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto; John Wall, Washington

Last year: Klay Thompson — 13.3%

Oct 21, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) argues a call against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?

1. James Harden, Houston — 56.7%

2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 20.0%

3. Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Paul George, Indiana — 6.7%

6. Dwyane Wade, Miami — 3.3%

Last year: Kobe Bryant — 66.7%

Who is the best center in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 65.5%

2. Marc Gasol, Memphis — 20.7%

3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 10.3%

4. Roy Hibbert, Indiana — 3.4%

Last year: Dwight Howard — 93.3%

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?

1. Houston — 55.2%

2. Brooklyn — 24.1%

3. L.A. Clippers — 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Boston, Indiana, Oklahoma City

Last year: L.A. Lakers — 86.2%

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 86.2%

Also receiving votes: Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn; Jrue Holiday, New Orleans; Paul Millsap, Atlanta; Josh Smith, Detroit

Last year: Dwight Howard — 70.0%

Which team will be most improved in 2013-14?

1. Detroit — 16.7%

2. Brooklyn, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, Washington — 13.3%

8. L.A. Clippers — 3.3%

Last year: Brooklyn — 62.1%

What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

1. Nets-Celtics trade; Andre Iguodala to Golden State — 21.4%

3. Andrei Kirilenko to Brooklyn — 14.3%

4. Dwight Howard to Houston — 10.7%

5. Jrue Holiday to New Orleans; Doc Rivers to the Clippers — 7.1%

Also receiving votes: Andrea Bargnani to New York; Al Jefferson to Charlotte; Brandon Jennings to Detroit; George Karl fired; Josh Smith to Detroit

Last year: Steve Nash to the Lakers — 39.3%

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

1. Kelly Olynyk (13), Boston — 27.6%

2. Ben McLemore (7), Sacramento; Nerlens Noel (6), Philadelphia — 13.8%

4. Steven Adams (12), Oklahoma City; Giannis Antetokounmpo (15), Milwaukee; Trey Burke (9), Utah — 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Isaiah Canaan (34), Houston; Allen Crabbe (31), Portland; Solomon Hill (23), Indiana; Shane Larkin (18), Dallas; Nemanja Nedovic (30), Golden State; Victor Oladipo (2), Orlando; Cody Zeller (4), Charlotte

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 34.5%

2. LeBron James, Miami — 27.6%

3. Tony Allen, Memphis — 13.8%

4. Andre Iguodala, Golden State — 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Paul George, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio

Last year: Dwight Howard — 60.0%

Oct 21, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) grabs a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 100-95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, Houston — 46.7%

2. Joakim Noah, Chicago — 16.7%

3. Marc Gasol, Memphis; Roy Hibbert, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City — 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Tyson Chandler, New York; Tim Duncan, San Antonio

Last year: Dwight Howard — 66.7%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 27.6%

2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas — 24.1%

3. Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers — 13.8%

4. Rick Adelman, Minnesota; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago — 10.3%

Also receiving votes: Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City; Kevin McHale, Houston; Erik Spoelstra, Miami; Frank Vogel, Indiana

Last year: Gregg Popovich — 40.0%

Which head coach runs the best offense?

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 37.9%

2. Rick Adelman, Minnesota — 20.7%

3. Kevin McHale, Houston — 10.3%

4. Mike D’Antoni, L.A. Lakers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami — 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Dallas; Mark Jackson, Golden State; George Karl; Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago

Last year: George Karl — 31.0%

Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?

1. Lawrence Frank, Brooklyn — 21.4%

2. Alvin Gentry, L.A. Clippers; Melvin Hunt, Denver — 10.7%

4. Nate McMillan, Indiana — 7.1%

Also receiving votes: Ron Adams, Chicago; Kenny Atkinson, Atlanta; J.B. Bickerstaff, Houston; Darren Erman, Golden State; David Fizdale, Miami; Tim Grgurich; Adrian Griffin, Chicago; Dave Hanners, New Orleans; Bob McAdoo, Miami; Pete Myers, Golden State; Ron Rothstein, Miami; Kelvin Sampson, Houston; Wes Unseld Jr., Orlando; Darrell Walker, New York

Last year: Brian Shaw — 23.3%

Which team is the most fun to watch?

1. Golden State — 41.4%

2. L.A. Clippers — 17.2%

3. Oklahoma City — 13.8%

4. Brooklyn, San Antonio — 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Denver, Houston, Indiana, Sacramento

Last year: Oklahoma City — 30.0%

Which player is the best at getting his own shot?

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 33.3%

2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 26.7%

3. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 16.7%

4. LeBron James, Miami — 10.0%

Also receiving votes: Jamal Crawford, L.A. Clippers; Stephen Curry, Golden State; James Harden, Houston; Derrick Rose, Chicago

Last year: Kobe Bryant — 40.0%