There were long stretches of Sacramento’s playoff drought where Kings fan interest in the NBA’s Annual GM Survey was mostly limited to seeing how GMs valued our latest high draft pick. I remember multiple years where the only mention of the Kings would be De’Aaron Fox’s appearance in the question about the fastest player with the ball in their hands. And rest assured, Fox won that category in this year’s survey. Watching a few more Kings games reminded the world that Fox is faster than Ja Morant.
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento – 57%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis – 37%
» Also receiving votes: Kyrie Irving, Dallas; Jaden Ivey, Detroit
» Last year: Ja Morant – 62%
The Kings also got a small bit of notice for the addition of Sasha Vezenkov. Vezenkov received a vote for the most underrated player acquisition, and votes for winning Rookie of the Year.
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Marcus Smart, Memphis – 17%
2. Grant Williams, Dallas – 14%
T-3. Dillon Brooks, Houston – 7%
T-3. Bruce Brown, Indiana – 7%
T-3. Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix – 7%
T-3. Max Strus, Cleveland – 7%
T-3. Fred VanVleet, Houston – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Deandre Ayton, Portland; Miles Bridges, Charlotte; Jrue Holiday, Boston; Tyus Jones, Washington; Jordan Poole, Washington; Kristaps Porzingis, Boston; Dennis Schroder, Toronto; Obi Toppin, Indiana; Sasha Vezenkov, Sacramento; Gabe Vincent, L.A. Lakers
» Last year: Malcolm Brogdon – 28%
Who will win the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 50%
2. Scoot Henderson, Portland – 27%
3. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City – 20%
4. Sasha Vezenkov, Sacramento – 3%
» Last year: Paolo Banchero – 79%
But beyond the general “Fox is fast” and “the Kings have a rookie of note” fare, the Kings also received love across multiple other categories. Mike Brown received recognitiion as running the best offense, and the Kings were voted second place for most efficient offense.
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Mike Brown, Sacramento – 33%
2. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 23%
3. Michael Malone, Denver – 17%
4. Chris Finch, Minnesota – 13%
5. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Nick Nurse, Philadelphia; Quin Snyder, Atlanta
» Last year: Steve Kerr – 62%
Which team will have the league’s most efficient offense this season?
1. Denver Nuggets – 34%
2. Sacramento Kings – 21%
3. Golden State Warriors – 14%
4. Boston Celtics – 10%
T-5. Milwaukee Bucks – 7%
T-5. Phoenix Suns – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat
» Last year: Golden State Warriors – 38%
Sacramento’s assistance coaches also received recognition, with Jordi Fernandez being voted as the best assistant coach in the NBA. Jay Triano also received a vote in the category. It’s nice seeing Jordi get the love, even as we all mentally prepare to lose him next summer as some team hires him away to be a head coach.
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
1. Jordi Fernandez, Sacramento – 31%
T-2. Terry Stotts, Milwaukee – 10%
T-2. Kevin Young, Phoenix – 10%
T-4. Sam Cassell, Boston – 7%
T-4. Charles Lee, Boston – 7%
» Also receiving votes: David Adelman, Denver; Kenny Atkinson, Golden State; Chris DeMarco, Golden State; Darren Erman, New York; David Fizdale, Phoenix; Royal Ivey, Houston; Alex Jensen, Dallas; Chris Quinn, Miami; Jay Triano, Sacramento; Will Weaver, Brooklyn
» Last year: Kenny Atkinson / Charles Lee – 34%
The Kings were also voted the 3rd most fun team to watch. While I hate that the Kings weren’t first in this category, I can understand GMs voting for the Nuggets, and the Warriors remain entertaining as long as Steph Curry is still around to go nuclear at any given moment.
Which team is the most fun to watch?
1. Denver Nuggets – 30%
2. Golden State Warriors – 23%
3. Sacramento Kings – 20%
4. Phoenix Suns – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder
» Last year: Golden State Warriors – 52%
The Final mention for the Kings was for best home-court advantage. The Kings placed third in this category. I can understand the Nuggets being ahead of Sacramento based on the altitude factor, but I don’t buy the Warriors being ahead of the Kings here. But if this is my biggest complaint about the perception of the Kings, that’s not a bad place to be.
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
1. Denver Nuggets – 37%
2. Golden State Warriors – 17%
3. Sacramento Kings – 13%
4. Utah Jazz – 10%
T-5. Boston Celtics – 7%
T-5. New York Knicks – 7%
T-5. Toronto Raptors – 7%
8. Philadelphia 76ers – 3%
» Last year: Toronto Raptors – 21%
The Kings are clearly turning heads and changing their perception around the league. It’s fun to see it evolve through the lens of this annual survey.
I don’t think that it’s simply a perceived slight for the reigning and only-ever Clutch Player of the Year, to get shut out on the question about which player you’d want taking a game’s final shot. The answers given by the GMs were purely reflexive.
“Hmm, who’s a good player in the past fifteen years?”
Kings 3rd in home court advantage, but tied for 13th in home wins last year. If you’re looking for an area for this team to push into mid-50 win territory, look no further than this.
The fans fell short, obviously.
maybe they can get some better fans to replace the current crop
(UpgradedToQuestionable just out of frame)
It’s another 2-3 years before the inevitable drop off of the Warriors and most of their fans go back to rooting for other teams. If the Kings continue their current trend there’ll be more than enough of them coming to the G1C.
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