When it comes to NBA players voting for one another in terms of major awards, the results can be a mixed bag given All-Star votes can frequently be cast for other players on their own team whether the honor is truly deserved or not.
But it is undeniable that said players also know the sport more intimately and the players who play it better than pretty much anyone else as well. So we might want to take them seriously when interpreting the results of the recent survey conducted by The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins. Their 2023 anonymous NBA player poll engaged 108 members of the league’s 30 rosters with their identities protected so they can feel comfortable speaking freely, and a number of Celtics made the returns.
Let’s take a look at which Boston players ended up in what categories.
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Who’s the MVP?
This one was won fairly handily by Joel Embiid with 50% of the vote, but Jayson Tatum came in fourth overall with 3.9% of the vote.
Tatum came in behind Nikola Jokic (25.5%) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (5.7%), and ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2.9%).
Who’s the best defender?
Another clear winner here with Jrue Holiday (28.7%) the runaway victor in a busy field.
But Marcus Smart came in third in a three-way tie with Other and Brook Lopez (all with 8.9%), behind Luguentz Dort (11.4%) and ahead of Bam Adebayo (5.9%).
You’re building a roster from scratch: Who are you going to sign first?
Giannis Antetokounmpo absolutely crushed this one with 52.4% of the vote, with Tatum landing in a three-way tie for fourth along with Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid at 5.8% of the vote.
The Duke alum was just behind Luka Doncic (6.3%) and ahead of Other (4.8%).
Jaylen Brown also received a single vote in the Other category.
Who’s the most overrated player?
The Celtics were lucky enough to dodge any of their players making a dent in this category individually.
But in the Other option (which got 31.5% of the vote), Grant Williams received a single vote.
Who’s the most underrated player?
Again, Other won the day with 34% of the vote and included a vote for both Sam Hauser and Marcus Smart.
Jaylen Brown was Boston’s highest-rated player in this category at fifth with 3.1% of the vote, just behind a three-way tie for Jaden McDaniels, Derrick Rose, and Jalen Brunson (4.1%) and ahead of DeAaron Fox (2.1%).
Who’s the greatest player of all time?
This one has little in the way of surprise with Michael Jordan (58.3%), LeBron James (33%), and Kobe Bryant (6.8%) dominating the returns.
But after Bryant? A two-way tie with 1% each of Tracy McGrady and our pick for the G.O.A.T., Bill Russell.
Who in the league would you least like to fight?
This one saw James Johnson (41.1%) dominate, but a predictable Boston player ended up in the returns.
Smart (2.2%) found himself in a three-way tie for fourth place with Giannis, Dort, and Admiral Schofield, just behind a two-way tie for third (3.3%) held by Joel Embiid and Udonis Haslem.
What arena has the best fans?
TD Garden won this one handily, with 18% of the vote.
The next closest was the Sacramento Kings’ Golden 1 Center with 12.1%
What arena has the worst fans?
Somehow, TD Garden placed in this race as well with 8.6% of the vote for fourth place.
The Charlotte Hornets’ Spectrum Center (15.2%) won pretty easily, with the Utah Jazz’ Vivint Arena (9.1%) just ahead of the Garden, and the Houston Rockets’ Toyota Center (7.1%) not far behind.
Which current coach, aside from your own, would you most want to play for?
Boston’s Joe Mazzulla came in just sixth here with 3.2% of the vote, and in a three-way tie with former Cs assistant and current Jazz head coach Will Hardy and Charlotte’s Steve Clifford.
Coming in ahead of a four-way tie between Jamahl Mosely, Doc Rivers, Darvin Ham, and Rick Carlisle at 2.1% and behind a three-way tie between Mike Brown, Michael Malone, and Monty Williams at 4.2%, that’s still a solid showing.
Which team, other than your own, will win the title this season?
The Milwaukee Bucks were heavy favorites among the players with 62.2% of the vote, with Boston second at 18.9%.
The Golden State Warriors came in third at 11.1%.
Who talks the most trash on the court?
Draymond Green ran away with this one, garnering 26.3% of the vote.
Only Marcus Smart registered for Boston here, making the Other category with a single vote.
