Raptors Featured in Annual General Managers Survey

The annual NBA.com general managers survey is out, and certain members of your Toronto Raptors made the grade.

GMs from every squad in the Association responded to 48 questions ranging from the best teams, players, coaches, offseason additions and fans.

Unsurprisingly, almost every executive polled believe the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will meet in the NBA Finals again, and 69 percent think the Dubs will extract some revenge after last year’s epic collapse.

When it comes to the Eastern Conference, 38.9 percent are expecting the Cavs to garner the banner again. The Raptors (24.5 percent) and the Boston Celtics (21.5 percent) are the only other franchises in the East in double-digits.

Toronto’s recent deep postseason run seems to have made a believer out of many of the league’s decision-makers, as the Dinos were pegged to come in sixth place a year ago. Progress!

Our boy Kyle Lowry made the cut in a high profile category, and he’s in great company. Lowry received 3.4 percent of the vote — fourth on the list — when it comes to gauging which NBA players have the highest basketball IQ. LeBron James, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry all ranked above Lowry in that regard.

The Villanova product has long been known as a bulldog on the floor, so it’s no surprise to see him receiving votes for the toughest player in the league. Memphis’s Tony Allen took home that title.

Pascal Siakam wasn’t exactly the most heralded selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, but at least one GM thinks the Raps got a great player at No. 27. Siakam received votes as one of the biggest steals for where he was taken in the Draft, with San Antonio’s Dejounte Murray getting the most love in that regard.

When it comes to the top assistant coaches in the league, Ron Adams of the Warriors leads the pack with 37.9 percent in the survey. Nick Nurse, who’s been with the Raps since 2013, was also listed.

Some Raptors HQ commenters will be happy to learn Dwane Casey was not tabbed as the head coach who makes the best in-game adjustments. The loud and proud ACC has earned itself a reputation across the NBA, but GMs didn’t include it in the arenas with the best home-court advantage discussion.

Where do you think the GMs missed the mark? Have your say in the comments.