As one of the first call-ups of the season and the second overall pick in this year's D-League Draft, Jimmer Fredette was a hot commodity going into the year. This much is easy to conclude following his new gig with the Pelicans. 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 2015-16 season. Continue reading below for results and even further insight.
RidiculousUpside.com 2015-16 NBA D-League GM/Coach Survey
1) Which current D-League player is most prepared for the NBA?
Ronnie Brewer, Santa Cruz Warriors: 33%
Bryce Cotton, Austin Spurs: 22%
Others receiving votes: Perry Jones III, DaJuan Summers, Jeff Ayers, Earl Clark
2) Who will win Most Valuable Player?
Bryce Cotton, Austin Spurs: 55%
Manny Harris, Los Angeles D-Fenders: 22%
Others receiving votes: Jaron Johnson and Tyler Harvey,
3) Who will win Most Improved Player?
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks: 38%
Others receiving votes: Kevin Olekaibe, Dez Wells, Darington Hobson, Jarrel Eddie
4) Who will win Rookie of the Year?
Terran Petteway, Fort Wayne Mad Ants: 25%
Others receiving votes: Briante Weber, Dez Wells, Ryan Boatwright, Quinn Cook, Jarred Shaw
5) Who will win Defensive Player of the Year?
Robert Upshaw, Los Angeles D-Fenders: 38%
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks: 25%
Others receiving votes: Sir'Dominic Pointer, DeAndre Liggins, and Eric Griffin
6) Who is the most athletic player in the D-League?
DJ Stephens, Canton Charge: 55%
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks: 22%
Others receiving votes: Eric Griffin and Rysheed Jordan
7) Which player has the most to prove this season?
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks: 33%
Perry Jones III, Iowa Energy 22%
Robert Upshaw, Los Angeles D-Fenders: 22%
Others receiving votes: Deshaun Thomas,
8) Which team will win the D-League championship?
Austin Spurs: 66%
Santa Cruz Warriors: 22%
Others receiving votes: Canton Charge
9) Which D-League head coach is most deserving of an NBA call-up?
Casey Hill, Santa Cruz Warriors: 44%
Scott Morrison, Maine Red Claws: 33%
Others receiving votes: Casey Owens and Chris Jent
10) Best assistant coach in the D-League?
John Bryant, Delaware 87ers: 44%
Gene Cross, Reno Bighorns: 22%
Others receiving votes: Dylan Murphy, Seth Cooper, and Tyrone Ellis
11) Favorite D-League destination/city?
Los Angeles: 44%
Santa Cruz: 33%
Austin: 22%
12) Favorite D-League alum?
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs: 44%
Others receiving votes: Robert Covington, Donald Sloan, Chris Johnson, Jeremy Lin, Renaldo Major
13) Best guard in the D-League?
Bryce Cotton, Austin Spurs: 55%
Elliot Williams, Santa Cruz Warriors: 22%
Others receiving votes: Jimmer Fredette and Manny Harris.
14) Best forward in the D-League?
Earl Clark, Bakersfield Jam: 44%
Perry Jones III, Iowa Energy 33%
Others receiving votes: Jaron Johnson, DaJuan Summers
15) Best center in the D-League?
Robert Upshaw, Los Angeles D-Fenders: 44%
Ronald Roberts, Raptors905: 22%
Others receiving votes: Daniel Orton, Cady Lalanne, Jeff Ayers
