PORTLAND, Ore. — In the 18th annual NBA.com GM Survey, the Portland Trail Blazers were one of five teams picked to win the NBA championship. The other four teams were the Clippers (46% of the vote), Bucks (36%) and Lakers (11%). The Warriors and Blazers were the two teams listed in the “also receiving votes” category.
Blazers star guard Damian Lillard was voted the best leader in the NBA, receiving 41% of the vote. Stephen Curry (37%) and LeBron James (15%) finished second and third, respectively. Lillard was also voted the second-best point guard in the NBA behind Curry.
The Blazers finished fifth in voting for the NBA’s most fun team to watch, and fourth for best homecourt advantage in the NBA.
Lillard was among eight players to receive votes for which player will win MVP, trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Curry, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic, James Harden and LeBron James.
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The Blazers All-NBA point guard also received votes for toughest player in the NBA, and received the second-most votes for the player general managers would "most want taking a shot with the game on the line."
Lillard’s backcourt partner, CJ McCollum, finished fifth in votes for the player best at moving without the ball, and was among 12 players to receive votes for the active player who will make the best head coach someday.
Zach Collins was one of 17 players to receive votes for player most likely to have a breakout season. Rookie Nassir Little was one of 11 players to get votes biggest steal in the NBA draft.
Blazers head coach Terry Stotts was one of six coaches to receive votes for best manager and motivator of people, and also tied for second in votes for best offense. Assistant coach Nate Tibbets tied for the fourth-most votes for best assistant coach in the NBA.
Jared Cowley writes about the Trail Blazers and other topics for KGW.com. He's also the co-host of the 3-on-3 Blazers podcast (listen here). You can reach him on Twitter @jaredcowley.