RidiculousUpside.com's NBA D-League GM/Coach Survey For The 2014-15 Season

After winning Rookie of the Year honors last season as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, while on assignment by the Houston Rockets, it was clear that Robert Covington was going to be a top young gun on the radar of NBA and D-League executives/coaches everywhere heading into the season.

With this in mind, it's not surprising that he was a hot commodity come draft time, having been subsequently selected by the Grand Rapids Drive with the number one overall selection. Despite not having yet played in a minor league game this season, the forward is on the verge of signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

This much is easy to conclude. But what other players (and/or coaches) are in high demand (and not to mention, high favor) when it comes to the NBA D-League?

RidiculousUpside.com helps answer that very question (and many more) with its annual NBA D-League Coach/GM Survey for the 2014-15 season. Continue reading below for results and even further insight.

1) Which current D-League player is most prepared for the NBA?

Robert Covington (Grand Rapids Drive) --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Seth Curry (Erie BayHawks), Mike James (Texas Legends), Chris Babb (Maine Red Claws), Kevin Murphy (Idaho Stampede), Manny Harris (Los Angeles D-Fenders)

2) Who will win Most Valuable Player?

Seth Curry (Erie BayHawks) --- 25%

Kevin Murphy (Idaho Stampede) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Pat Christopher (Iowa Energy), Manny Harris (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Robert Covington (Grand Rapids Drive), Carrick Felix (Santa Cruz Warriors)

3) Who will win Most Improved Player?

Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Westchester Knicks) --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Myck Kabongo (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Tim Frazier (Maine Red Claws), Mac Koshwal (Bakersfield Jam), Marquis Teague (Oklahoma City Blue), Gary Talton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)

4) Who will win Rookie of the Year?

Jabari Brown (Los Angeles D-Fenders) --- 25%

Josh Huestis (Oklahoma City Blue) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Roscoe Smith (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Brady Heslip (Reno Bighorns), Todd Mayo (Westchester Knicks), Jarell Eddie (Austin Spurs)

5) Who will win Defensive Player of the Year?

Hasheem Thabeet (Grand Rapids Drive) --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Peyton Siva (Erie BayHawks) , Chris Babb (Maine Red Claws), Diane Garrett (Iowa Energy), Josh Huestis (Oklahoma City Blue), Fuquan Edwin (Sioux Falls Skyforce)

6) Who is the most athletic player in the D-League?

Thanasis Anteokounmpo (Westchester Knicks) --- 38%

Elliot Williams (Santa Cruz Warriors) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Carrick Felix (Santa Cruz Warriors), Rashad James (Reno Bighorns), Jonathan Simmons (Austin Spurs)

7) Which player has the most to prove this season?

Hasheem Thabeet (Grand Rapids Drive) --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Westchester Knicks), Chris Babb (Maine Red Claws), Jermaine Taylor (Maine Red Claws), Elliot Williams (Santa Cruz Warriors), Erik Murphy (Austin Spurs)

8) Which team will win the D-League championship?

Santa Cruz Warriors --- 63%

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma City Blue, Westchester Knicks, Sioux Falls Skyforce

9) Which D-League head coach is most deserving of an NBA call-up?

Connor Henry (Fort Wayne Mad Ants) --- 38%

Casey Hill (Santa Cruz Warriors) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Nate Bjorkgren (Bakersfield Jam), Jordi Fernandez (Canton Charge), Eduardo Najera (Texas Legends)

10) Best assistant coach in the D-League?

Gene Cross (Los Angeles D-Fenders) --- 25%

John Bryant (Delaware 87ers) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Nick Van Exel (Texas Legends), Mike Miller (Austin Spurs), James Andrisevic (Santa Cruz Warriors), Ty Ellis (Grand Rapids Drive)

11) Favorite D-League destination/city?

Santa Cruz, California (home of the Santa Cruz Warriors) --- 38%

Frisco, Texas (home of the Texas Legends) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Westchester, New York (home of the Westchester Knicks), Austin, Texas (home of the Austin Spurs), Reno, Nevada (home of the Reno Bighorns)

12) Favorite D-League alum?

Ron Howard --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Troy Daniels, Shelvin Mack, Dominique Coleman, Isaiah Cannon, Danny Green

13) Which D-League alum has made the biggest impact/splash in the NBA?

Danny Green --- 50%

Others receiving votes: Gerald Green, Chris Andersen, Jeremy Lin, James Johnson

14) Best guard in the D-League?

Manny Harris (Los Angeles D-Fenders) --- 38%

Seth Curry (Erie BayHawks) --- 38%

Others receiving votes: Elliot Williams (Santa Cruz Warriors), Vander Blue (Los Angeles D-Fenders)

15) Best forward in the D-League?

Robert Covington (Grand Rapids Drive) --- 88%

Others receiving votes: Jack Cooley (Iowa Energy), CJ Fair (Fort Wayne Mad Ants)

16) Best center in the D-League?

Bernard James (Texas Legends) --- 38%

Earl Barron (Bakersfield Jam) --- 25%

Others receiving votes: Erik Murphy (Austin Spurs), Tiny Gallon (Delaware 87ers), Hasheem Thabeet (Grand Rapids Drive)