Are the Indiana Pacers one of the best teams in the East? At least one NBA GM thinks so
By Ben Gibson
John Schuhmann’s annual NBA GM survey is out, with at least one GM voting for the Indiana Pacers to win the conference championship.
At least one NBA GM voted for the Indiana Pacers as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference in John Schuhmann’s annual NBA GM survey. And no, it wasn’t Kevin Pritchard.
While we don’t know the specific number of votes, we know Indiana got at least a vote as the second-best team in the East. Most tabbed the Pacers as the fourth best team in the East, but Indiana got a few second and third place votes in the survey.
But that wasn’t the only place Indiana showed up, either.
Oladipo got votes for the best shooting guard in the NBA, but James Harden, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry were the top three vote-getters.
While I’d concede Curry and Harden are better players, they aren’t really shooting guards as far as their role on the court. And Klay Thompson is a great shooter, but one-on-one, Oladipo’s mix of offensive skill and defensive grit give him an edge over Thompson, at least in my mind.
With 13 percent of the vote, Tyreke Evans lead the way when GM’s were asked: “What was the most underrated player acquisition?” They are right, by the way.
Sadly, Bojan Bogdanovic’s Game 3 performance didn’t get him any votes when GMs were asked who the best international player in the NBA is.
It’s no surprise that Oladipo was in a three-way tie as the second the best perimeter defender in the NBA along with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. Kawhi Leonard got the most votes. Voters noticed Oladipo as one of the most athletic and fastest players in the NBA, too.
Next. Turner must commit mentally to playing the post. dark
Nate McMillan got some love when GMs were asked which coach has the best defensive schemes in the league. Dan Burke received votes for the best assistant coach in the NBA. The Pacers got respect from their peers.