NBA2K14 will be released on October 1 (for Xbox 360), and being in the doldrums, I figured it was time to launch a thread for the 2K nerds in the room (raises hand). I know there are at least a few of us here.
Below are last year's player ratings and my updated player ratings – thoughts?
Charlotte Bobcats NBA2k13 – Previous Ratings
Al Jefferson - 84
Kemba Walker - 78
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - 77
Ben Gordon - 76
Ramon Sessions - 75
Gerald Henderson - 72
Brendan Haywood - 67
Jeffery Taylor - 65
Bismack Byombo - 62
Charlotte Bobcats nba2k14 - My Predictions
Al Jefferson - 84
Big Al may find a way to distribute a bit more or defend the P&R a tad better, but talent-wise overall he’s probably plateaued for the next several years. Stellar low post offense should keep him anchored in the mid eighties.
Screen grab from new 2K14 trailer:
Kemba Walker – 82
Kemba improved more than any other Bobcat last year – 82 puts him in the Ty Lawson range – he’s borderline All-Star if he steps it up again.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - 77
Think MKG was rated slightly higher than he should have been last year due to draft position. Lack of offense away from the basket hurts him here, but I’m sticking with his 77 this year as he does almost everything else well and rebounds at elite levels.
Ben Gordon – 72
Occasionally insane outside shooting keeps him in the 70’s, but his defensive lapses and TO’s last year didn’t merit a 76. He should get more open looks this year, but I can’t imagine him improving overall.
Ramon Sessions – 75
Think Sessions was rated well last year - good offensive output and knack for getting to the line.
Gerald Henderson – 77
Hendo is better than 72. As a jack of all trades, master of none, he should float right below 80.
Brendan Haywood – 62
Another year older and more players ahead of him in the rotation all but guarantee that Haywood should be non-factor this year. Only a few bright spots last year.
Jeffery Taylor – 72
How much credence will 2K give Taylor’s hot offseason? I’m a big Viking fan, but not entirely enamored – yet - with his man D and also think he pulls far too many disappearing acts. Really hope things click this year.
Bismack Byombo – 67
Biz gets a bump as I thought he was slightly underrated last year. Athleticism, strength, blocks should get him to high 60’s.
Cody Zeller – 74
This is a big question mark – basing this on where I think 2K will rate him more than what I think he may deserve. Beal was a 75 at #3 last year, Robinson 75 at #5. Uber-athleticism, awareness, low-post offense, semblance of an outside game, P&R D should guarantee no lower than 72 or so, while perceived weakness with low-post D and lack of strength will probably keep him from being rated much higher than 75.
Josh McRoberts - 68
Smart, athletic, average scorer and rebounder, good passer. Awareness and passing should keep him from sliding into mid 60’s.
Jannero Pargo, James Southerland, Jeff Adrien, Anthony Tolliver – 55-65
Don’t think any of these guys merit much consideration. Adrien’s strength, rebounding, overall toughness may put him at the top of this range, Tolliver and Southerland at the bottom. For all of Tolliver’s rep, he was a pretty miserable shooter last year and doesn’t do anything all that well other than be a swell guy, which 2K doesn’t rate yet.
