EDIT: Now includes analysis from 2K's 11-08-10 roster.
After 5 years of making these complaints, my pleas have finally been heard. I recently wrote in my analysis of 2K's 10-28-10 roster that a lot of free agents besides Allen Iverson deserve to be removed from the FA pool. This week, the following players were removed from 2K's 11-05-10 rosters
EDIT: Additionally, 2K responded to my initial post and removed more players from their 11-08-10 roster.
POINT GUARD
Brevin Knight
Stephon Marbury
Lindsey Hunter
Willie Solomon - NEW
Sean Singletary - NEW
Kevin Ollie - NEW
Jacque Vaughn - NEW
Lynn Greer
Jared Jordan
Salim Stoudamire - NEW
Vassilis Spanoulis
SHOOTING GUARD
Allen Iverson (in the previous update)
Kirk Snyder - Looks like I lost my own bet. It's my own fault. I better barricade my doors because Snyder is surely coming for me when he gets out of prison and pops NBA 2K13 into his video game system.
SMALL FORWARD
Wally Szczerbiak - NEW
Greg Buckner - NEW
Viktor Khryapa - NEW
Ryan Bowen - NEW
Brandon Wallace - Part of me kinda feels guilty for robbing guys like this of their one connection to the NBA. Oh well.
POWER FORWARD
Malik Rose
Devon Hardin
Mark Madsen
Jackie Butler - NEW
CENTER
Fabricio Oberto
Chris Mihm - NEW
Mark Blount - NEW
Calvin Booth - NEW
Jerome James
Ha Seung-Jin
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That's 15 players in one fell swoop! Unfortunately, the following players remain in the free agent pool.
POINT GUARD
Antonio Daniels - Did not play anywhere last season, and the same can be said of this season. He is 35 years old. He is done. He still has a 60 dunk rating, which is pretty high for a PG ( a reason why these players NEED to be removed if they're not going to be edited).
Will Solomon - Signed a long-term European deal when he left the NBA after one season in 2009. He is 32 years old, and surely not coming back.
Kevin Ollie - He retired to become a college coach. Why is he still in the game???
Jacque Vaughn - Retired! If anything, just move him to the 98 Jazz team!
Salim Stoudamire - Has not played anywhere since leaving the NBA three years ago. Time to cut bait.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Greg Buckner - He's done. He made his money. He's 34 years old.
SMALL FORWARD
Wally Szczerbiak - He is retired. He had a knee injury he opted not to come back from. He has a 90 mid-range rating. Get him out of here.
Justin Reed - Hasn't been on the NBA radar sine leaving in 2007.
Viktor Khryapa - Seems pretty happy in Europe, and shouldn't be coming back.
Ryan Bowen - Unofficially retired. He is 35 years old and had no desire to play international ball since getting cut by the Thunder one year ago. He is clearly done.
POWER FORWARD
Jackie Butler - The guy has not step foot on a basketball court since getting cut by the Rockets nearly 4 years ago. He has literally vanished off the map, and is surely at home counting his money after getting a 3 years and 10 million deal out of 740 highly effective garbage time minutes with the Knicks.
CENTER
Chris Mihm - He isn't officially retired, but he might as well be. Unlikely to play again due to injury. Hasn't taken the court since 2008, and missed the entire 2007 season. It has been 5 years since he was a relevant NBA player. He's not playing internationally anywhere. He is 31 years old. He is done.
Mark Blount - Didn't play anywhere last year, or this year. 35 years old. Easy retirement.
Calvin Booth - He is retired, and working in the Kings organization.
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As one can see, there are just as many players that still need to join them (I listed 14, but wouldn't mind 20 more joining them). Players who should be on notice (conditionally removed in 2K12) are as follows:
POINT GUARD
Mike James - Played 4 games last season, is not signed anywhere this season. Was last seen begging the Heat for a job, but all spots are filled. He is 35 years old.
Anthony Johnson - Played only 31 games last season, and seems to have quietly ridden off into the sunset. Could have easily gotten a training camp invite if Chucky Atkins somehow managed to get one. He is 36 years old.
Chucky Atkins - Went to camp with the Suns this year but was released fairly early. Assuming no team signs him this season, he is an easy removal. He will be 37 years old next season.
Damon Jones - Briefly played in Italy last season, which is why I'm okay with him being in the FA pool. He'll be 35 next season though, and a return is not imminent.
SHOOTING GUARD
None - I'd make some arguments for Ricky Davis but I truly don't mind if he's still playing internationally.
SMALL FORWARD
Michael Finley - If he doesn't play this season (it's extremely unlikely that he will), he should be immediately removed. He'll be 38 next season.
Devean George - If he doesn't sign anywhere in the world this season.
Trenton Hassell - Ditto.
Desmond Mason - Ditto.
Jonathan Bender - Ditto, with the added notation that he was already retired for four years and probably isn't interested in playing internationally.
Awvee Storey - He'll be 34 next season, is off the NBA radar, and I generally don't like him for cracking Martynas Andriuskevicius' skull during a D-League game.
POWER FORWARD
Michael Ruffin - Nearly retired this season before playing internationally again. He will be 34 next season and hasn't been a quality NBA player in, well, ever.
Jamal Sampson - Hasn't been on NBA radar in awhile, last played in league in 2007. 5 years is pretty much my cutoff point.
Justin Williams - Basically the same as Sampson, except a year younger.
CENTER
Brian Skinner - If he doesn't play this season. He was the final cut of Bucks training camp, but at 34 years old you have to think he's near the end of the line.
Mikki Moore - Ditto, except he's 35.
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There are about 50 players that deserve to be ADDED to the free agent pool, and the only way that becomes feasible is if we cut the chaff from the wheat, and start cutting bait on players that, while they might bring back nostalgic feelings, are no longer realistic additions to NBA teams. The game would be better served adding any D-League callups that have actually graced an NBA roster in the last two years. Some of those players include...
POINT GUARD
Will Conroy
Mustafa Shakur
Cedric Jackson
Kenny Hasbrouck
Curtis Jerrells
JamesOn Curry
SHOOTING GUARD
Joe Crawford
SMALL FORWARD
Othyus Jeffers
Antonio Anderson
POWER FORWARD
Alexander Johnson
Alade Aminu
CENTER
Earl Barron
Greg Stiemsma
Brian Butch
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Of course, before 2K even considers working on that, they should focus on getting all the missing players that are ACTUALLY ON NBA ROSTERS into the game. Those players are...
Christian Eyenga (SG/SF) - Cavaliers (Has a guaranteed 4 year rookie deal. Come on.)
Manny Harris (SG/SF) - Cavaliers
Samardo Samuels (PF/C) - Cavaliers
Eugene Jeter (PG) - Kings
Ben Uzoh (PG) - Nets
Matt Janning (SG) - Suns
Garret Sliler (C) - Suns (Dwyane Jones remains on the team)
2K added the following players this week, so at least they're not slacking TOO terribly...
Sherron Collins (PG) - Bobcats
Semih Erden (C) - Celtics
Gary Forbes (SF/SG) - Nuggets
Solomon Alabi (C) - Raptors
Ishmael Smith (PG) - Rockets
Gary Neal (SG) - Spurs
Hamady N'Diaye (C) - Wizards
Seven players were added, and there are only seven left to be added, so hopefully 2K finishes things off this week.
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Finally, while 2K spent some time removing and adding players, did they take any time to adjust existing players?
Keith Bogans - NEW
67 Overall (+2)
69 Medium (+19)
Bogans hasn't even taken a shot from mid-range this season. He was a whopping 4-13 in 1563 minutes last season. There's a reason 2/3 of his shots are threes. He has no mid-range game to speak of.
J.J. Hickson
72 Overall (+7)
75 LPS (+5)
59 Layup (+7)
77 Dunk (+6)
75 Hands (+10)
74 OffPost (+7)
64 DefPost (+4)
72 OffAwr (+12)
64 DefAwr (+16)
70 Consistency (+45)
83 Stamina (+5)
59 Speed (+8)
60 Quickness (+12)
89 Durability (+11)
78 Potential (+8)
Hickson was definitely underrated athletically, in the post, and his awareness was obviously underrated for a featured player. Solid edit.
Rajon Rondo
91 Overall (+2)
99 Pass (+4)
94 OffAwr (+9)
96 DefAwr (+2)
Rondo is apparently the smartest player since Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Not to mention the best passer since Stockton and Magic.
Chris Kaman - NEW
79 Overall (+1)
80 Consistency (+20)
Last year's biggest fluke all-star is not a consistent player, and it's puzzling to me why 2K is making this change NOW when Kaman has been abominable this season. On an unrelated note, he got hurt tonight and will miss the next 2-3 weeks.
Rudy Gay
84 Overall (+1)
82 Steal (+4)
59 PostDef (+2)
84 OffAwr (+2)
45 OffClutch (+10)
85 Consistency (+10)
Seven games in, Rudy is in the middle of a breakout season, in a quest to make Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley look like he actually has half a brain (or at the very least, lucky as hell). Interestingly, it's his scoring efficiency that has seen the biggest boost (.612 TS% from .532 last season), but the Insider didn't touch any of his shot ratings. Rudy is currently averaging 27.1 ppg, albeit in 42.0 mpg, while boasting incredible shooting percentages: .528 FG% (20.3 FGA), .452 3PT% (4.4 3PA), .867 FT% (4.3 FTA)
Michael Conley
78 Overall (+5)
83 Pass (+9)
78 Steal (+14)
78 Hands (+6)
82 OffAwr (+10)
75 Consistency (+15)
95 Stamina (+4)
After-effects of the contract week continue. Conley received a 5 year, 45 million dollar extension due to supposedly improved play. The only thing that's REALLY improved are Conley's minutes. He is getting 39 mpg compared to last season's 32 mpg, as the team's only backup is Acie Law. The main thing Conley has done is improve upon his AST% and STL% to levels that were expected of him when he was drafted 4th overall. His AST% is up to 32.3% from last season's 24.8%, while his steals have essentially doubled from 2.2% to a likely unsustainable 4.1%. His shooting is still a problem, however, with a career worst .499 TS%, which makes a 15 point boost in "Consistency" and 10 point boost to Offensive Awareness extremely curious.
Hasheem Thabeet
60 Overall (+2)
38 OffAwr (+13)
For what it's worth, that's exactly where I had Thabeet's offensive awareness. Perhaps it's coincidence, since I also took the time to edit more than one attribute.
Paul Millsap
79 Overall (+5)
94 Inside (+2)
80 LPS (+3)
69 FT (-5)
74 SIT (+4)
72 Hands (+11)
90 OffReb (+4)
83 DefReb (+5)
79 OffPost (+3)
70 DefPost (+1)
73 OffAwr (+15)
70 Consistency (+10)
87 Stamina (+10)
58 Speed (+9)
54 Quickness (+8)
95 Durability (+25)
As with Hickson, Millsap is in the middle of a career year and got similar boosts. The boost to his offensive rebounding is very puzzling however, since he has currently posted a career worst 9.5 ORB%, down from 9.9% last season, and well below his career average of 12.3%. Clearly not a player who should be 9 points away from the maximum rating.
Wilson Chandler
79 Overall (+5)
80 FT (-2)
67 LPS (+5)
71 SOD (+3)
62 Handle (+4)
54 OHD (+6)
50 Security (+2)
70 Block (+8)
66 Steal (+9)
73 Hands (+4)
80 OBD (+1)
65 OffReb (+24)
61 DefReb (+5)
62 OffPost (+4)
79 DefAwr (+7)
70 Consistency (+10)
84 Potential (+5)
A much needed handle boost for a player that was playing SG last season. His post game saw a boost, which is another welcome addition based on last season. Chandler's rebounds have shot up in real life thanks to the inept Amar'e Stoudemire taking the place of rebound guru David Lee. Normally I am not a fan of 2K's defensive rating boosts as they usually go against scale, but Chandler has earned them, at least through the first 5 games. Whether that is maintainable will be told with time. His BLK% is currently 5.2 against a 1.9 career average. If he can maintain that, he will deserve much more than a 70 - a block rate that high is akin to Josh Smith's.
Andy Rautins - NEW
58 Overall (-2)
45 DefAwr (-3)
30 Consistency (-15)
The fact that Andy Rautins was anywhere close to the top of the 2K Insider's priority list means he should be shot and killed on sight. There are hundreds of players who need editing. At least 100 who are off by 5-10 overall points. And yet, he is focusing on a scrub who was already low-rated to begin with, one that didn't even play a game until tonight (i.e. after the roster release). Tyson Chandler is rated 2 points worse than DeShawn Stevenson, but man, the Rautins haters must be banging down 2K's door!
Dwight Howard
89 Overall (+1)
50 Medium (+15)
For what it's worth, I made the exact same change. Howard is 6-10 from mid-range early in the year, as he actually has the green light to take the shot.
Luis Scola
80 Overall (+2)
83 Hands (+4)
92 OffReb (+12)
86 OffAwr (+4)
As with Millsap, where is the Insider's head at on these rebound ratings? Scola is boasting a career best 10.9 ORB%, but that's not deserving of a 92. His offensive rebounding is much improved from last season's 7.2, but the problem is that meant he was already overrated with his 80 OffReb rating. Thus the boost should have been half of what he got, and illustrates the problems that occur when one doesn't hold everyone to the same scale. Scola actually started to deserve his rating, but since he improved, he is overrated again. Strangely, Scola has doubled his block rate, but was left untouched in this regard. Not that I'm complaining persay, since 2K would have surely messed it up, but it'd be nice to see some consistency from them. If you're going to edit a player, analyze him from head to toe, don't focus solely on the ratings that fans were complaining about.
Roy Hibbert - NEW
73 Overall (+2)
77 LPS (+4)
91 Block (+2)
82 OffReb (+3)
78 PostOff (+5)
79 PostDef (+5)
67 OffAwr (+4)
35 DefClutch (+10)
65 Consistency (+10)
Hibbert gets a boost, but considering he's been underrated since last season, it's not nearly enough. Still trying to figure out what they think 36 year old Ben Wallace has over him.
Dorell Wright
73 Overall (+9)
84 Inside (+9)
84 3pt (+3)
58 Block (+5)
60 Steal (+12)
66 Hands (+5)
52 OffPost (+1)
45 DefPost (+5)
63 OffAwr (+27)
72 DefAwr (+20)
50 Consistency (+25)
56 Hustle (+10)
72 Durability (+9)
Aside from the obvious adjustments (awareness & consistency), Wright's edit is pretty weak. Inside boost puzzling for a guy shooting 37% on 2pters. Blocks overrated, steals underrated. Post defense is terrible for a SF. Guy is averaging 37 mpg and is running around with 77 stamina.
John Wall
84 Overall (+3)
78 FT (+3)
88 Pass (+4)
85 Steal (+8)
90 Hands (+2)
87 OffAwr (+5)
79 DefAwr (+2)
35 DefClutch (+10)
97 Speed (+1)
Don't disagree with the boosts, but man the rookie's ball handling is still ridiculously overrated, which is why he's a whopping 84 overall.
Andray Blatche - NEW
73 Overall (+1)
70 Consistency (+20)
Now if only he had the mid-range rating to make use of it...
