In this film publicity image released by Lionsgate, LeBron James, centre, is shown with St. Vincent-St. Mary's basketball team in the documentary, "More Than a Game."The Associated Press
NBA general managers are predicting repeats for the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James this season.
The league executives who responded to the eighth annual NBA.com GM survey picked the Lakers to win another NBA title - though their opponent is unclear - and saw James as the runaway winner of another MVP award.
The Lakers received 61 per cent of the votes to win the championship, with Boston and Cleveland shared second place at 18 per cent. However, the Celtics took 50 per cent of the vote to claim the Eastern Conference crown, while the Cavaliers received 43 per cent.
Defending East champion Orlando received only seven per cent. Other teams picked to win their divisions Tuesday included San Antonio in the Southwest, and Portland edging Denver in the Northwest.
James got 69 per cent of the MVP vote, easily outdistancing 2008 winner Kobe Bryant (17 per cent). James was picked by 79 per cent of GMs when asked who they would sign if starting a franchise today.
Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick of the Clippers, was picked by 79 per cent to win rookie of the year.