MISSING SECOND ROUNDERS
Charles Jenkins (Warriors, 44th Overall)
Vernon Mackwell (Pistons, 52nd Overall)
DeAndre Liggins (Magic, 53rd Overall)
E'Twain Moore (Celtics, 55th Overall)
Isaiah Thomas (Kings, 60th Overall)
OTHER MISSING ROOKIES
Cory Higgins (Bobcats)
Darington Hobson (Bucks)
Mychel Thompson (Cavaliers)
Greg Stiemsma (Celtics)
Jeremy Pargo (Grizzlies)
Ivan Johnson (Hawks)
Donald Sloan (Hawks)
Terrel Harris (Heat)
Mickell Gladness (Heat)
Carldell Johnson (Hornets)
Lance Thomas (Hornets) - Waived
Gustavo Ayon (Hornets)
Jerome Jordan (Knicks)
Dennis Horner (Nets)
Julyan Stone (Nuggets)
Malcolm Thomas (Spurs)
Ryan Reid (Thunder)
Chris Wright (Warriors)
2011 FIRST ROUND
Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers, 1st Overall) 76/PG - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: A-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B
Athleticism: B+
Potential: 89
These ratings were actually well done by 2K Sports. I agree with the vast majority of them. Irving is unlikely to be an all-star right off the bat, but there is little doubt that he is Cleveland's best player and the best player in the 2011 draft right now. He should be the favorite for Rookie of the Year as long as he gets enough minutes. There are many similarities between Irving and rookie Chris Paul. Whether or not he develops along the same track will be revealed with time.
Derrick Williams (Timberwolves, 2nd Overall) 71/PF - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 88
Williams has a lot in common with teammate and former #2 pick Michael Beasley. Beasley started off his career as a PF, and is currently the inefficient starting SF of a bad lottery team. Williams should look to avoid this career trajectory, but he may not have the skillset to avoid being a glorified tweener. If he plays well, it should force the Timberwolves to trade Beasley rather than sign him to a contract extension - a move that would not bode well for Williams' development. Williams (along with Irving) was the first player edited by 2K this year, getting slight boosts to Dunk, Speed, Quickness, and Vertical (Irving saw a boost to his Dunk), leading to +1 Overall (71).
Enes Kanter (Jazz, 3rd Overall) 63/C - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D-
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: D+
Potential: 82
While Kanter's rating might seem low (due to 2K not knowing how to properly rate centers), he actually ranks 35th among centers. He is a bit of a mystery this year and it's anyone's guess just how effective he will actually be.
Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers, 4th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: C-
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: D-
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 77
TT is very raw and was a bit of a stretch at the #4 pick. He'll step into a starting role after Antawn Jamison is traded/waived mid-season, but it probably won't be pretty. 76 Dunk, 78 Block, 76 Defensive Awareness make him a poor man's Tyrus Thomas.
Jan Vesley (Wizards, 6th Overall) 63/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: C-
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: C+
Potential: 80
A lot of analysts seem to be high on Vesley so I'm not sure where 2K got their assessment from. He is considerably worse than fellow Wizard rookie SF Chris Singleton (18th, 67). 2K essentially has Vesley pegged as a less athletic Singleton. It's a mistake to sleep on him, and this could be a player whose rating drastically rises as the season goes on. Vesley could of course make 2K look very smart by not earning anything more than spot minutes in a crowded Wizard front court, but I think the odds of him being better than Singleton are pretty good.
Bismack Biyombo (Bobcats, 7th Overall) 55/PF - Added 12/22
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: B
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 72
Well, I'll give it to 2K Sports. Reports on Biyombo say he is raw offensively, and they certainly made him so. Every single one of Biyombo's Abilities is rated "Poor". Biyombo isn't completely worthless in the post, however. When he wasn't turning the ball over, he managed to finish his post-up plays (63% FG, 1st). As the last first rounder to be added to the roster, I'm sure the Insider was just sick of whatever scouting he/she/it puts it and wanted to get him out of the way.
Brandon Knight (Pistons, 8th Overall) 67/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: A-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B
Athleticism: B+
Potential: 89
These ratings were actually well done by 2K Sports. I agree with the vast majority of them. Irving is unlikely to be an all-star right off the bat, but there is little doubt that he is Cleveland's best player and the best player in the 2011 draft right now. He should be the favorite for Rookie of the Year as long as he gets enough minutes. There are many similarities between Irving and rookie Chris Paul. Whether or not he develops along the same track will be revealed with time.
Derrick Williams (Timberwolves, 2nd Overall) 71/PF - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 88
Williams has a lot in common with teammate and former #2 pick Michael Beasley. Beasley started off his career as a PF, and is currently the inefficient starting SF of a bad lottery team. Williams should look to avoid this career trajectory, but he may not have the skillset to avoid being a glorified tweener. If he plays well, it should force the Timberwolves to trade Beasley rather than sign him to a contract extension - a move that would not bode well for Williams' development. Williams (along with Irving) was the first player edited by 2K this year, getting slight boosts to Dunk, Speed, Quickness, and Vertical (Irving saw a boost to his Dunk), leading to +1 Overall (71).
Enes Kanter (Jazz, 3rd Overall) 63/C - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D-
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: D+
Potential: 82
While Kanter's rating might seem low (due to 2K not knowing how to properly rate centers), he actually ranks 35th among centers. He is a bit of a mystery this year and it's anyone's guess just how effective he will actually be.
Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers, 4th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: C-
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: D-
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 77
TT is very raw and was a bit of a stretch at the #4 pick. He'll step into a starting role after Antawn Jamison is traded/waived mid-season, but it probably won't be pretty. 76 Dunk, 78 Block, 76 Defensive Awareness make him a poor man's Tyrus Thomas.
Jan Vesley (Wizards, 6th Overall) 63/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: C-
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: C+
Potential: 80
A lot of analysts seem to be high on Vesley so I'm not sure where 2K got their assessment from. He is considerably worse than fellow Wizard rookie SF Chris Singleton (18th, 67). 2K essentially has Vesley pegged as a less athletic Singleton. It's a mistake to sleep on him, and this could be a player whose rating drastically rises as the season goes on. Vesley could of course make 2K look very smart by not earning anything more than spot minutes in a crowded Wizard front court, but I think the odds of him being better than Singleton are pretty good.
Bismack Biyombo (Bobcats, 7th Overall) 55/PF - Added 12/22
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: B
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 72
Well, I'll give it to 2K Sports. Reports on Biyombo say he is raw offensively, and they certainly made him so. Every single one of Biyombo's Abilities is rated "Poor". Biyombo isn't completely worthless in the post, however. When he wasn't turning the ball over, he managed to finish his post-up plays (63% FG, 1st). As the last first rounder to be added to the roster, I'm sure the Insider was just sick of whatever scouting he/she/it puts it and wanted to get him out of the way.
Brandon Knight (Pistons, 8th Overall) 67/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 81
Knight is a young scoring point with only average playmaking ability and suspect defense. His defense should improve with time, but unless he also improves his scoring efficiency and passing, he's looking at a sixth man type career.
Kemba Walker (Bobcats, 9th Overall) 76/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: B+
Athleticism: A
Potential: 85
Kemba is tied w/ Irving for highest rated player in the draft class. He is also two years older, which means his ceiling isn't nearly as high. Walker's pass rating might be slightly overrated (70), but his steal rating is as well. Irving and Walker registered 3.0 STL% in college, yet are separated by 10 points (Irving 75, Walker 65).
Jimmer Fredette (Kings, 10th Overall) 63/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: A-
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 80
2K Sports agreed with me (and most credible NBA analysts) deducing that Jimmer was one of the most over-hyped players in the country, suffering heavily from Adam Morrison & J.J. Redick "Unathletic player overly popular due to whiteness" syndrome. His defense is embarrassingly bad, so bad that it's difficult to ever envision him becoming a starting caliber player. His offensive skills will remind many Kings fans of prime-Mike Bibby, but his defense will remind many fans of... well, Mike Bibby (modern version, sadly).
Klay Thompson (Warriors, 11th Overall) 65/SG - Added 12/15
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: A-
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: C+
Alec Burks (Jazz, 12th Overall) 70/SG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B+
Markieff Morris (Suns, 13th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 70
While Markieff's ratings might be accurate, having better ratings than Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick is not. He won't be the team's starting PF just yet.
Marcus Morris (Rockets, 14th Overall) - 63/PF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 72
It's interesting to me that Marcus was the higher regarded of the Morris' brothers yet rates 3 points behind Markieff. They have very simiar ratings aside from rebounding, where Marcus trails his brother by a large margin.
Kawhi Leonard (Spurs, 15th Overall) 72/SF - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 68
Spurs fans have been pushing for Leonard to replace Richard Jefferson in the starting lineup since the minute they acquired him. I however, don't see it that way. Jefferson has become one of the league's most underrated players. The corner three has always been important to the San Antonio attack. RJ isn't a great defender, but he's certainly not a BAD one by any stretch, and he is miles better than Leonard offensively. The Spurs will hope that Leonard's defense is good enough to make a noticeable difference, and that they can get away with him in a lineup that already includes DaJuan Blair. I would look for Leonard to be paired in the 2nd unit with Matt Bonner since their deficiencies compliment each other well (or for Bonner to start alongside Leonard).
Nikola Vucevic (76ers, 16th Overall) 57/C - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D-
Rebounding: B-
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: D
Potential: 66
Vucevic is a shooting center, which never translates well with 2K's flawed overall formula for centers. I was not incredibly high on this pick for Philly as they already have two centers who provide this skill (Hawes and Speights) and were basically just covering their butts in the event Spencer Hawes got an absurd offer sheet the team didn't want to match. Tough to see Vucevic making much of a contribution his rookie season, but could easily be the team's starter a year from now.
Iman Shumpert (Knicks, 17th Overall) 69/PG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: A-
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: B
Athleticism: A
Potential: 63
As I type this, Shumpert expressed happiness w/ his rating via twitter, and I am inclined to agree with him.
@I_Am_Iman Your steals rating could be higher, but don't worry, you'll show them.
Shumpert should be somewhere between Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook's rookie seasons. He has a lot of sleeper potential and could steal the starting job of either Toney Douglas or Landry Fields.
Chris Singleton (Wizards, 18th Overall) 67/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 60
Singleton's ball handling is particularly bad for a SF and makes him more of a tweener than a legit wing player. Hopefully he can carve out a better career than Renaldo Balkman did. With only 60 potential, that may not be very likely in 2K.
Tobias Harris (Bucks, 19th Overall) 65/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: D+
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 62
While not a rookie observation, Harris is a teenager 10 years younger than Carlos Delfino: a wing who is in his prime, has started the last two years (about to make it three). These players are both rated 65 overall. Harris isn't the one with the bad rating here.
Nolan Smith (Trail Blazers, 21st Overall) 71/SG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 75
I'm puzzled as to why 2K Sports listed Smith as a SG rather than his natural PG position. He did play SG at Duke before Kyrie Irving's injury, but this was a situation similar to Jrue Holiday playing SG next to Darren Collison at UCLA a few years ago; he is clearly a PG in this league. Smith rates 67 at PG which is much more reflective of his overall ability (he ranks 26th among SG, only 3 spots behind starter Wesley Matthews who has a stranglehold on the starting job). Smith is expected to be the backup PG, rather than Armon Johnson who has all the makings of a career 3rd string.
Kenneth Faried (Nuggets, 22nd Overall) 70/PF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: B+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 72
Faried will be an interesting role player, and is honestly one of the more difficult rookies to accurately rate. He played much of his career as an undersized center, which surely helped pad his gaudy rebound totals. It remains to be seen just how well Faried's rebounding ability will translate to the NBA, but if it's anything like what he did in college, it is definitely underrated by 2K right now.
Reggie Jackson (Thunder, 24th Overall) 68/PG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 74
Jackson's ratings might be accurate, but I don't think he is capable of taking out Eric Maynor, who 2K seems to think will be OKC's 4th string.
MarShon Brooks (Nets, 25th Overall) 67/SG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 72
Refer to my analysis of Jimmer Fredette, take away his playmaking, and you have MarShon Brooks in a nutshell. Brooks MIGHT have a better future than Anthony Morrow, but he certainly isn't the better shooter. He's the type of "shot-happy, no-defense" type of player who could find himself out of the league quickly (think Morris Almond).
Jordan Hamilton (Nuggets, 26th Overall) 65/SF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 73
Hamilton has all the same qualities of Brooks and could take a similar career path. The difference is Brooks only has to go through Anthony Morrow right now, while Hamilton will be hard-pressed to take out Danilo Gallinari.
JaJuan Johnson (Celtics, 27th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: B+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 70
Johnson is a pretty good fit on the Celtics since he mimics Kevin Garnett's faceup game, but his slim frame will leave something to be desired on a team desperately seeking interior toughness. 75 Block is great, 55 Post Defense not so much.
Norris Cole (Heat, 28th Overall) 63/PG - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
I think Norris Cole will be a decent backup PG in the league. He can score a bit and find teammates. However that isn't exactly what Miami needs out of their PG position. They need 3pt shooting and defense. Cole is decidedly average at both. Still, they could have done worse than replacing Carlos Arroyo with the 28th pick.
Cory Joseph (Spurs, 29th Overall) 59/PG - Added 12/19
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
Jimmy Butler (Bulls, 30th Overall) 67/SF - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
Butler is sort of a jack-of-all trades, master of none. He won't see much playing time in Chicago (especially for a team that apparently can't find room for Keith Bogans on it's roster), but will see playing time if Luol Deng ever gets hurt.
2011 SECOND ROUND
Justin Harper (Magic, 32nd Overall) - Added 12/22
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: D
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 68
Shelvin Mack (Wizards, 34th Overall) 63/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 69
Tyler Honeycutt (Kings, 35th Overall) 65/SF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 67
Jordan Williams (Nets, 36th Overall) 55/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: D
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 70
Trey Thompkins (Clippers, 37th Overall) 58/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 72
Chandler Parsons (Rockets, 38th Overall) 61/SF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: C
Potential: 70
Jeremy Tyler (Warriors, 39th Overall) 55/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 68
Jan Leuer (Bucks, 40th Overall) 57/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: D-
Post Defense: D
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 70
Darius Morris (Lakers, 41st Overall) 63/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 72
Malcolm Lee (Timberwolves, 43rd Overall) 65/SG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: D+
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: D+
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 67
Lee's grades are not available until he recovers from injury. It is still inexplicable to me why 2K feels the need to injure players when it is a far better gameplay decision to simply move them to the inactive roster (where the player goes whether they have an uneditable injury or not). Injuries do not carry over to any Associations and are only applicable to Quick Games.
Josh Harrellson (Knicks, 45th Overall) 50/C - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: D+
Potential: 60
Andrew Goudelock (Lakers, 46th Overall) 57/PG -Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 68
Travis Leslie (Clippers, 47th Overall) 63/SG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: B+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential:
Josh Selby (Grizzlies, 49th Overall) 56/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: B+
Potential: 67
Lavoy Allen (76ers, 50th Overall) 57/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 65
OTHER ROOKIES
Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves, 2009 Draft) - Original Roster
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 88
POINT GUARDS
76 - Kyrie Irving
76 - Kemba Walker
69 - Iman Shumpert
67 - Brandon Knight
67 - Ricky Rubio (2009 Draft)
63 - Jimmer Fredette
63 - Norris Cole
63 - Shelvin Mack
63 - Darius Morris
59 - Cory Joseph
57 - Andrew Goudelock
56 - Josh Selby
SHOOTING GUARDS
71 - Nolan Smith
70 - Alec Burks
67 - MarShon Brooks
65 - Klay Thompson
65 - Malcolm Lee
63 - Travis Leslie
SMALL FORWARDS
72 - Kawhi Leonard
67 - Chris Singleton
67 - Jimmy Butler
65 - Tobias Harris
65 - Jordan Hamilton
65 - Tyler Honeycutt
63 - Jan Vesley
61 - Chandler Parsons
POWER FORWARDS
71 - Derrick Williams (+1)
70 - Kenneth Faried
66 - Tristan Thompson
66 - Markieff Morris
66 - JaJuan Johnson
63 - Marcus Morris
58 - Trey Thompkins
57 - Jan Leuer
57 - Lavoy Allen
55 - Bismack Biyombo
55 - Jordan Williams
55 - Jeremy Tyler
54 - Justin Harper
CENTERS
63 - Enes Kanter
57 - Nikola Vucevic
50 - Josh Harrellson
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 81
Knight is a young scoring point with only average playmaking ability and suspect defense. His defense should improve with time, but unless he also improves his scoring efficiency and passing, he's looking at a sixth man type career.
Kemba Walker (Bobcats, 9th Overall) 76/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: B+
Athleticism: A
Potential: 85
Kemba is tied w/ Irving for highest rated player in the draft class. He is also two years older, which means his ceiling isn't nearly as high. Walker's pass rating might be slightly overrated (70), but his steal rating is as well. Irving and Walker registered 3.0 STL% in college, yet are separated by 10 points (Irving 75, Walker 65).
Jimmer Fredette (Kings, 10th Overall) 63/PG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: A-
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 80
2K Sports agreed with me (and most credible NBA analysts) deducing that Jimmer was one of the most over-hyped players in the country, suffering heavily from Adam Morrison & J.J. Redick "Unathletic player overly popular due to whiteness" syndrome. His defense is embarrassingly bad, so bad that it's difficult to ever envision him becoming a starting caliber player. His offensive skills will remind many Kings fans of prime-Mike Bibby, but his defense will remind many fans of... well, Mike Bibby (modern version, sadly).
Klay Thompson (Warriors, 11th Overall) 65/SG - Added 12/15
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: A-
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: C+
Potential: 76
Thompson's outside shooting and poor defense will fit in on a Warriors team that seeks out both. He should get big minutes replacing Reggie Williams on the team.
Thompson's outside shooting and poor defense will fit in on a Warriors team that seeks out both. He should get big minutes replacing Reggie Williams on the team.
Alec Burks (Jazz, 12th Overall) 70/SG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B+
Potential: 75
Burks will give the team his best Ronnie Brewer impression, and I would easily start him over Gordon Hayward. Guess we'll find out whether or not I'm smarter than Tyrone Corbin soon enough.
Markieff Morris (Suns, 13th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 70
While Markieff's ratings might be accurate, having better ratings than Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick is not. He won't be the team's starting PF just yet.
Marcus Morris (Rockets, 14th Overall) - 63/PF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 72
It's interesting to me that Marcus was the higher regarded of the Morris' brothers yet rates 3 points behind Markieff. They have very simiar ratings aside from rebounding, where Marcus trails his brother by a large margin.
Kawhi Leonard (Spurs, 15th Overall) 72/SF - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 68
Spurs fans have been pushing for Leonard to replace Richard Jefferson in the starting lineup since the minute they acquired him. I however, don't see it that way. Jefferson has become one of the league's most underrated players. The corner three has always been important to the San Antonio attack. RJ isn't a great defender, but he's certainly not a BAD one by any stretch, and he is miles better than Leonard offensively. The Spurs will hope that Leonard's defense is good enough to make a noticeable difference, and that they can get away with him in a lineup that already includes DaJuan Blair. I would look for Leonard to be paired in the 2nd unit with Matt Bonner since their deficiencies compliment each other well (or for Bonner to start alongside Leonard).
Nikola Vucevic (76ers, 16th Overall) 57/C - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D-
Rebounding: B-
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: D
Potential: 66
Vucevic is a shooting center, which never translates well with 2K's flawed overall formula for centers. I was not incredibly high on this pick for Philly as they already have two centers who provide this skill (Hawes and Speights) and were basically just covering their butts in the event Spencer Hawes got an absurd offer sheet the team didn't want to match. Tough to see Vucevic making much of a contribution his rookie season, but could easily be the team's starter a year from now.
Iman Shumpert (Knicks, 17th Overall) 69/PG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: A-
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: B
Athleticism: A
Potential: 63
As I type this, Shumpert expressed happiness w/ his rating via twitter, and I am inclined to agree with him.
Shumpert should be somewhere between Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook's rookie seasons. He has a lot of sleeper potential and could steal the starting job of either Toney Douglas or Landry Fields.
Chris Singleton (Wizards, 18th Overall) 67/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 60
Singleton's ball handling is particularly bad for a SF and makes him more of a tweener than a legit wing player. Hopefully he can carve out a better career than Renaldo Balkman did. With only 60 potential, that may not be very likely in 2K.
Tobias Harris (Bucks, 19th Overall) 65/SF - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: D+
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 62
While not a rookie observation, Harris is a teenager 10 years younger than Carlos Delfino: a wing who is in his prime, has started the last two years (about to make it three). These players are both rated 65 overall. Harris isn't the one with the bad rating here.
Nolan Smith (Trail Blazers, 21st Overall) 71/SG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 75
I'm puzzled as to why 2K Sports listed Smith as a SG rather than his natural PG position. He did play SG at Duke before Kyrie Irving's injury, but this was a situation similar to Jrue Holiday playing SG next to Darren Collison at UCLA a few years ago; he is clearly a PG in this league. Smith rates 67 at PG which is much more reflective of his overall ability (he ranks 26th among SG, only 3 spots behind starter Wesley Matthews who has a stranglehold on the starting job). Smith is expected to be the backup PG, rather than Armon Johnson who has all the makings of a career 3rd string.
Kenneth Faried (Nuggets, 22nd Overall) 70/PF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: B+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 72
Faried will be an interesting role player, and is honestly one of the more difficult rookies to accurately rate. He played much of his career as an undersized center, which surely helped pad his gaudy rebound totals. It remains to be seen just how well Faried's rebounding ability will translate to the NBA, but if it's anything like what he did in college, it is definitely underrated by 2K right now.
Reggie Jackson (Thunder, 24th Overall) 68/PG - Added 12/14
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 74
Jackson's ratings might be accurate, but I don't think he is capable of taking out Eric Maynor, who 2K seems to think will be OKC's 4th string.
MarShon Brooks (Nets, 25th Overall) 67/SG - Added 12/13
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 72
Refer to my analysis of Jimmer Fredette, take away his playmaking, and you have MarShon Brooks in a nutshell. Brooks MIGHT have a better future than Anthony Morrow, but he certainly isn't the better shooter. He's the type of "shot-happy, no-defense" type of player who could find himself out of the league quickly (think Morris Almond).
Jordan Hamilton (Nuggets, 26th Overall) 65/SF - Added 12/12
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 73
Hamilton has all the same qualities of Brooks and could take a similar career path. The difference is Brooks only has to go through Anthony Morrow right now, while Hamilton will be hard-pressed to take out Danilo Gallinari.
JaJuan Johnson (Celtics, 27th Overall) 66/PF - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: B+
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 70
Johnson is a pretty good fit on the Celtics since he mimics Kevin Garnett's faceup game, but his slim frame will leave something to be desired on a team desperately seeking interior toughness. 75 Block is great, 55 Post Defense not so much.
Norris Cole (Heat, 28th Overall) 63/PG - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
I think Norris Cole will be a decent backup PG in the league. He can score a bit and find teammates. However that isn't exactly what Miami needs out of their PG position. They need 3pt shooting and defense. Cole is decidedly average at both. Still, they could have done worse than replacing Carlos Arroyo with the 28th pick.
Cory Joseph (Spurs, 29th Overall) 59/PG - Added 12/19
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
Jimmy Butler (Bulls, 30th Overall) 67/SF - Added 12/16
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 70
Butler is sort of a jack-of-all trades, master of none. He won't see much playing time in Chicago (especially for a team that apparently can't find room for Keith Bogans on it's roster), but will see playing time if Luol Deng ever gets hurt.
2011 SECOND ROUND
Justin Harper (Magic, 32nd Overall) - Added 12/22
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: D
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 68
Shelvin Mack (Wizards, 34th Overall) 63/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: B
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential: 69
Tyler Honeycutt (Kings, 35th Overall) 65/SF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 67
Jordan Williams (Nets, 36th Overall) 55/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: B
Basketball IQ: D
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 70
Trey Thompkins (Clippers, 37th Overall) 58/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 72
Chandler Parsons (Rockets, 38th Overall) 61/SF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: D-
Ball Handling: C
Rebounding: D+
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: C
Potential: 70
Jeremy Tyler (Warriors, 39th Overall) 55/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: B-
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: C
Potential: 68
Jan Leuer (Bucks, 40th Overall) 57/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Perimeter Defense: D-
Post Defense: D
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 70
Darius Morris (Lakers, 41st Overall) 63/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: B+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: B
Potential: 72
Malcolm Lee (Timberwolves, 43rd Overall) 65/SG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: D+
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: D+
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: C
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 67
Lee's grades are not available until he recovers from injury. It is still inexplicable to me why 2K feels the need to injure players when it is a far better gameplay decision to simply move them to the inactive roster (where the player goes whether they have an uneditable injury or not). Injuries do not carry over to any Associations and are only applicable to Quick Games.
Josh Harrellson (Knicks, 45th Overall) 50/C - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: F
Perimeter Defense: F
Post Defense: C+
Ball Handling: F
Rebounding: C+
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: D+
Potential: 60
Andrew Goudelock (Lakers, 46th Overall) 57/PG -Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Perimeter Defense: B-
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: D-
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: B
Potential: 68
Travis Leslie (Clippers, 47th Overall) 63/SG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C-
Outside Scoring: D+
Perimeter Defense: B+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: C-
Rebounding: D
Basketball IQ: C+
Athleticism: A-
Potential:
Josh Selby (Grizzlies, 49th Overall) 56/PG - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B-
Perimeter Defense: C+
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: C+
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: D+
Athleticism: B+
Potential: 67
Lavoy Allen (76ers, 50th Overall) 57/PF - Added 1/7
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C
Perimeter Defense: D+
Post Defense: C-
Ball Handling: D
Rebounding: C
Basketball IQ: C-
Athleticism: C-
Potential: 65
OTHER ROOKIES
Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves, 2009 Draft) - Original Roster
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: C+
Perimeter Defense: C
Post Defense: F
Ball Handling: A-
Rebounding: F
Basketball IQ: B-
Athleticism: B-
Potential: 88
POINT GUARDS
76 - Kyrie Irving
76 - Kemba Walker
69 - Iman Shumpert
67 - Brandon Knight
67 - Ricky Rubio (2009 Draft)
63 - Jimmer Fredette
63 - Norris Cole
63 - Shelvin Mack
63 - Darius Morris
59 - Cory Joseph
57 - Andrew Goudelock
56 - Josh Selby
SHOOTING GUARDS
71 - Nolan Smith
70 - Alec Burks
67 - MarShon Brooks
65 - Klay Thompson
65 - Malcolm Lee
63 - Travis Leslie
SMALL FORWARDS
72 - Kawhi Leonard
67 - Chris Singleton
67 - Jimmy Butler
65 - Tobias Harris
65 - Jordan Hamilton
65 - Tyler Honeycutt
63 - Jan Vesley
61 - Chandler Parsons
POWER FORWARDS
71 - Derrick Williams (+1)
70 - Kenneth Faried
66 - Tristan Thompson
66 - Markieff Morris
66 - JaJuan Johnson
63 - Marcus Morris
58 - Trey Thompkins
57 - Jan Leuer
57 - Lavoy Allen
55 - Bismack Biyombo
55 - Jordan Williams
55 - Jeremy Tyler
54 - Justin Harper
CENTERS
63 - Enes Kanter
57 - Nikola Vucevic
50 - Josh Harrellson
