GMs predict Heat finishing 7th in East

MIAMI — The NBA’s annual survey of general managers, released Wednesday, offered several insights on what league leaders think of the Miami Heat, coach Erik Spoelstra and the team’s players.

Asked to rank the predicted order of finish in the East, the executives placed the Heat seventh in the conference, none higher than fourth place, with, in order, the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards predicted to finish ahead. The Heat were predicted in a tie for the No. 6 East seed in last season’s poll, the spot they finished.

The Heat were bypassed in the category of “best defensive team,” which has stood as an annual goal of the franchise, with, in order, the Utah Jazz, Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder the teams so cited.

Spoelstra was bypassed in the listing of “best coach in the NBA,” but did place fourth in the poll as “best manager/motivator,” behind the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, Warriors’ Steve Kerr and Celtics’ Brad Stevens. Spoelstra also was among the coaches cited for “best in-game adjustments” and “best defensive schemes.”

In the vote for “toughest player in the NBA,” the Heat’s James Johnson finished in a fourth-place tie with the Warriors’ Draymond Green, behind, in order, Thunder center Steven Adams, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

Heat forward Udonis Haslem was among those receiving votes for “best leader,” with Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. among those receiving votes for “most athletic.”

Of players predicted “most likely to have a breakout season,” Heat forward Josh Richardson was cited, albeit finishing well down the list.

None of the general managers voted for the Heat’s Hassan Whiteside when asked to name the NBA’s best center, with nine players receiving votes. Whiteside also did not receive a vote for “best interior defender.”