In their annual survey of NBA general managers, the Lakers have been tabbed as favorites to win the 2010-2011 NBA title, even over the Miami Heat after their additions of LeBron James and Chris Bosh this summer. The Lakers were named in 63% of the responses as the NBA champion, compared to 33.3% for Miami.
↵The Lakers were overwhelming favorites to win the Pacific Division (96.4%) and the Western Conference (96.4%).
↵Kobe Bryant was voted as the player that forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments, and was named on the second-most ballots for league MVP, behind Kevin Durant. Bryant was overwhelmingly voted the best shooting guard in the league, named as such on 85.7% of the ballots.
↵Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki tied at 28.6% of the vote for the top power forward in the NBA. Bryant and Ron Artest were voted the top two perimeter defenders in the league.
↵Phil Jackson beat out Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich as the best coach in the league, as well as the best manager and motivator of players.
↵Blake Griffin of the Clippers and former UCLA Bruin Russell Westbrook, each with 14.8% of the vote, were voted the most likely to have a breakout season.
↵For more Lakers news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.