Popular results from the NBA’s new general manager survey. And: happy Wednesday!

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I, Zach Harper, am abusing my powers as the writer of this newsletter to wish Bounce contributor, comedian, Blazers fan and author Ian Karmel the happiest 40th birthday possible. Everyone, buy his book as a gift!

Hot Takes Survey

The biggest insights from the beliefs of GMs

I Love this time of year. Preseason is trickling in, we sent a few teams halfway around the world to market the league, and NBA.com shared its annual general manager survey. The last part is a great content that we can discuss and discuss with friends and colleagues. How it works: John Schuhmann asks all 30 GMs 50 questions, ranging from season predictions to positional rankings to choosing the best option for taking the last chance in a match. It’s so nice to know what executives think.

These were my favorite questions and biggest takeaways from this year’s survey (I removed “also received votes” for these sections). Memory: GMs are not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Which team will win the 2025 NBA Finals?

1. Boston Celtics – 83%
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 13%
3. Dallas Mavericks – 3%

You know what’s incredible? A year ago, the Celtics and Nuggets were tied at 33 percent for this prediction, so Boston’s dominant title run pushing its mark to 83 percent impresses me. The Thunder and Mavericks also get some respect here.

Who will win the 2024-2025 MVP?

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 40%
2. Luka Dončić, Dallas – 30%
T-3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 7%
T-3. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 7%

T-3. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 7%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 43%

This shows quite a lot of confidence in the 26-year-old SGA who is flourishing in a very crowded field. And yet executives did not pick him as the best point guard (second to Dončić) or best shooting guard (third to Edwards and Booker). It will be interesting how his case develops this season.

Who would you give a chance when the game is on the line?

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 40%
2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix – 23%
3. Luka Dončić, Dallas – 10%
T-4. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 7%
T-4. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee – 7%
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 37%

I wonder if this would have been the outcome before Curry’s Olympic performance, namely when he torched Serbia and France. In either case, Curry usually battles KD for this honor. Some other notes:

Big thanks to Schuhmann, NBA.com and the GMs for giving us so much to think about.

Happy Wembsday!

Everyone is ready for Wemby dominance

Another part of that NBA.com GM survey discussed the inevitable acquisition of Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama. If you’ve been reading this newsletter for the past two years, you already know that’s what we do all at Wemby. We have dedicated every Wednesday to celebrating him and admiring what he does. Our own Fred Katz wonders when we can reasonably expect Wemby’s Spurs to reach the play-offs as the team attempts to break its longest post-season drought (five seasons).

NBA GMs are no different. At just 20 years old, Wemby is already showing his potential as a franchise centerpiece and defensive capabilities.

If you were to start a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 77%
T-2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 10%
T-2. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 10%
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 33%

Let’s be honest: without Spurs’ vote, Wemby would have to be unanimous here. No offense to SGA, Jokić or Dončić, but at most one of those guys should have gotten a vote, while Wemby received the rest. Why? Because GMs already believe the second-year big man is the best defender in the entire league!

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 40%
T-2. Bam Adebayo, Miami – 10%
T-2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 10%
T-2. Jrue Holiday, Boston – 10%
T-5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 7%
T-5. Anthony Davis, LA Lakers – 7%
T-5. Herb Jones, New Orleans – 7%
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 40%

Wemby also won the votes (40 percent against 37 percent) over compatriot Rudy Gobert for best inside defender. He finished tied for second with OG Anunoby behind Giannis for most versatile defender and also tied with Tatum and Durant (10 percent) behind LeBron (20 percent) and Giannis (30 percent) for most versatile player, period .

Wembanyama finished in second place with Ja Morant and Evan Mobley on 10 percent for the best chances of a breakout season. Jalen Williams (13 percent) won this one. What does ‘breakout’ even mean, after what Wemby did a season ago? Did I mention he got one vote each for best power forward, best center and best international player?

This is all crazy praise for Wemby… and yet it is not at the same time. The hyperbole should not be too great. The predictions and assumptions should not be too crazy. Wemby is the future of this NBA, so it won’t be long before he is the undeniable present.

Copy here (additional tweet or other content links at editor’s discretion)

It’s the final Countdown!

Lynx will face Liberty in the WNBA Finals

Do you want to get people to work? You give them a do-or-die game to wrap up a playoff series and see what unfolds. That’s exactly what happened with the Minnesota Lynx and their semifinal matchup against the Connecticut Sun. Both teams split the First Four before Tuesday’s win-or-go-home Game 5. Unfortunately for the Sun (and anyone hoping to raise their blood pressure), this one was decided early after the first quarter ended, with the Lynx taking a 13-point lead.

Minnesota weathered storms across the sun in the remaining stretches, but clinched its first WNBA Finals berth since 2017, when the Lynx won their fourth championship. Napheesa Collier led the way with a game-high 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. She is the first player in WNBA history to record three consecutive 25-point, 10-rebound games in the postseason.

The Lynx will face the New York Liberty in the finals as the latter looks for its first title. Game 1 is tomorrow night in Brooklyn at 8pm ET on ESPN. Tomorrow we’ll get a sneak peek of the series in Bounce!

“When hard work pays off, it’s the best feeling in the world.” 💪

Napheesa Collier is locked up and already thinking about finishing the job in 3, not 5. #WNBAFinales presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/qwnokjBgRR

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024

DANCING TO THE FINAL. 💃 pic.twitter.com/EbmK3fwmA9

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 9, 2024

Phee is special 👑

Napheesa Collier becomes the first player in WNBA history to record 25+ PTS and 10+ REB in three consecutive playoff games!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/9A9ZO3nCiA

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024

Bounce passes

It would be great if this was the year that Ja Morant and Zion Williamson were allowed to play.

We have injuries. Malcolm Brogdon had a procedure on his thumb. RJ Barrett is out for the preseason due to a shoulder injury.

Is Cam Whitmore the key to a top-five defense for the Rockets?

Most clicked in Tuesday’s newsletter: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope explained to David Aldridge why he chose to sign with Orlando.

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(Top photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images )