GM Survey: Lillard Second Best Point Guard

In the annual survey of NBA general managers, the Portland Trail Blazers received key votes in a number of categories, reports John Schuhmann of NBA.com. The team’s star point guard, Damian Lillard, came in second as the league’s best at that position, behind the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry. Curry received 57% of the vote, while Lillard received 17%. Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns rounded out the point guard selections.

The Blazers also received the most votes for the most underrated player acquisition with 28% for Larry Nance Jr. The Brooklyn Nets getting Patty Mills game in second at 17%. Portland also received votes for the best overall moves during the offseason.

New head coach Chauncey Billups received votes for being the new coach who will have the biggest impact on his new team, and assistant coach Scott Brooks tied for third place as the best assistant in the league alongside former Blazers assistant David Vanterpool.

Lillard also received a nod as the best leader, coming in third behind Chris Paul and LeBron James. He also came in third as the player GMs would want taking the shot with the game on the line at 17%. Last year, Lillard was no. 1 with 32% of the votes.

As for where the team will finish in the Western Conference, the team came in eighth behind the Mavericks.

The Blazers landed in fourth place for the best home court advantage, behind the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks.