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Were you surprised that Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the New York Knicks last summer? At least one NBA general manager was. We can't tell you which one, because NBA.com's annual survey of league general managers is conducted anonymously. But under the category of "most surprising move of the offseason," Carmelo staying in New York is listed among others receiving votes. LeBron James' move to Cleveland (42.9 percent) and Chandler Parsons' move to Dallas (21.4 percent) received many more votes. Anthony earned a fair amount of respect from the general managers, notably finishing second to Kevin Durant as the player "best at getting his own shot," and finishing a distant third behind James and Durant as the player who "forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. Carmelo even received a vote or two as the preseason Most Valuable Player, although to be fair the GMs see that at best a two-man race (James got 67.9 percent, Durant 21.4 percent). The Knicks as a team get considerably less respect. Only 3.8 percent of respondents pick them to win the Atlantic Division (Toronto at 76.9 percent and Brooklyn at 19.2 percent got more votes). No one picked them to make the East finals. And the only player besides Anthony to receive votes in any category was Cleanthony Early, who tied for fifth as "biggest steal at where he was selected in the draft." Brian Keefe was among those receiving votes for best assistant coach. General managers weren't allowed to vote for their own team or their own players.
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