Sports

NBA GMs: Knicks, Nets behind Celtics in Atlantic Division

According to all 30 NBA general managers, the Knicks and Nets still have a way to go to catch the Celtics atop the Atlantic division.

In it’s 11th annual GM Survey, the Knicks and Nets were tied with 13.3 percent of the vote (four out of 30 total votes) for who will win the division. The Celtics were first with 66.7 percent (20 votes) and the 76ers got 6.7 percent (two votes).

Last season, the GMs voted for the Celtics as the preseason favorite as well (64.3 percent) and they ended up wining the division by three games.

The Nets did win the vote for being the most improved team, getting 62.1 percent of the votes for that category. Although the Lakers won the vote for which team made the best overall moves this offseason (in getting Steve Nash and Dwight Howard) with 86.2 percent, the Nets (who acquired Joe Johnson and resigned Deron Williams) came in second with 6.9 percent.

The Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony did get one vote for who will win the MVP (first was the Heat’s LeBron James with 66.7 percent) along with finishing third (6.7 percent) for which player you would want taking a shot with the game on the line (first was the Thunder’s Kevin Durant, 46.7 percent). Center Tyson Chandler finished third (10.0 percent) in the voting for who is the best interior defender (won by Howard, 66.7 percent) and 3-point specialist Steve Novak came in third (6.7 percent) for the best pure shooter (won by the Heat’s Ray Allen, 56.7 percent).

Nets’ point guard Deron Williams finished tied for third (6.9 percent) with the Celtic’s Rajon Rondo in the best passer category (won by Nash, 58.6 percent).

The GMs also voted that the Heat would win the Eastern Conference (96.7 percent) and win consecutive NBA titles (70.0 percent), while James will take home another MVP award (66.7 percent), his second in a row and fourth overall.