Does defense win championships? The answer is no... if you want to put any stock in the results from the NBA's annual survey of general managers.
75% proclaimed the Celtics the best defensive team in the league, yet only 3.7% pick the Celtics to win the championship (Lakers 63%, Miami 33.3%).
The GMs overwhelmingly selected Miami (70.4%) as the likely Eastern Conference champion (Celtics 18.5%, Orlando 11.1%).
While Rajon Rondo did not receive a vote for best point guard (Deron Williams, CP3, Nash and Billups), he was named best on-ball defender, best at defending the passing lanes and 3rd best perimeter defender.
Ray Allen was named best pure shooter and best player who moves without the ball.
Before you get pissed off, NBA insider Ric Bucher wants everyone to know:
Something to keep in mind, re: NBA GM Survey: 1) Some GMs have an underling fill it out. 2) Their predictive batting avg is .500. At best.
