NBA 2K15 Point Guard Ratings (12/13/14)

With six weeks of NBA action already complete, I thought it would be worth checking on the state of NBA 2K15 player ratings to see how much they have changed with respect to player performance

The listed rating change is how much the player's Overall rating changed from the default roster (as will be the case in future installments, to give an idea of how much progress the player made this season).  Bear in mind that many players had OVR go up or down a point when Speed/Stamina ratings were revamped league-wide.

When ranking the players by their OVR rating you can see natural tier lists that help guide us to where these players ratings should sit.

95-99: All-Time Great
90-94: Superstar
85-89: All-Star
80-84: Quality NBA player (Fringe All-Star)
75-79: Average NBA player (Mediocre starter, quality backup)
70-74: Specialist (1-2 skills keeping player in league)
65-69: Fringe NBA player

POINT GUARDS (72)
1-10
91 (+2) Stephen Curry (26.9 PER, 63 TS%, 29 USG%, 39 AST%)
90 (-1) Chris Paul (26.4 PER, 61 TS%, 22 USG%, 47 AST%)
88 (NC) Russell Westbrook (31.7 PER, 60 TS%, 39 USG%, 54 AST%)
88 (+2) John Wall (20.5 PER, 53 TS%, 26 USG%, 47 AST%)
88 (NC) Derrick Rose (18.5 PER, 55 TS%, 32 USG%, 34 AST%)
87 (NC) Damian Lillard (22.4 PER, 60 TS%, 25 USG%, 29 AST%)
87 (+1) Kyrie Irving (21.1 PER, 58 TS%, 23 USG%, 23 AST%)
87 (-1) Tony Parker (16.9 PER, 58 TS%, 24 USG%, 30 AST%)
86 (+1) Kyle Lowry (23.2 PER, 55 TS%, 25 USG%, 35 AST%)
85 (+1) Deron Williams (17.2 PER, 54 TS%, 23 USG%, 31 AST%)

Westbrook has been balling out of his mind (albeit only 9 games due to injury).  His 39 USG will drop (would set the all-time mark), but when you factor that against his TS it's insane.  Just to give you an idea of how well Westbrook is playing... (and how bad Allen Iverson was, but I digress).

2015 Russell Westbrook: 59.8 TS%, 38.8 USG%,
2006 Kobe Bryant: 55.9 TS%, 38.7 USG%
1987 Michael Jordan: 56.2 TS%, 38.3 USG%
2002 Allen Iverson: 48.9 TS%, 37.8 USG%
2015 Kobe Bryant: 48.9 TS%, 36.2 USG%

Westbrook (88) is rated lower than Kobe (89) even though they're on completely different planets right now.  He's been a better player than John Wall and Derrick Rose for a couple years now. Hopefully 2K will give the man his due (FWIW, I also consider Curry/Paul to be 1-2 points underrated).

Speaking of Rose, he's playing well but not at his MVP-caliber levels.  It's clear from his numbers that he's not a top 5 PG right now.  Kyle Lowry on the other hand has been the East's best PG dating back to last season but continues to get overlooked in favor of bigger names like Rose, Wall, and Kyrie.

Deron Williams has no business being top 10.  He  had some early buzz about a return to form but his production is marginally worse than last season.  Enough is enough.  The same can actually be said of Tony Parker who is a long way from the explosive scorer he was two years ago.

11-20
85 (-2) Rajon Rondo (14.5 PER, 41 TS%, 18 USG%, 47 AST%)
84 (+1) Mike Conley (20.8 PER, 59 TS%, 23 USG%, 31 AST%)
83 (+3) Isaiah Thomas (22.7 PER, 60 TS%, 28 USG%, 29 AST%)
83 (-1) Ty Lawson (18.2 PER, 50 TS%, 22 USG%, 44 AST%)
82 (NC) Jrue Holiday (19.3 PER, 54 TS%, 22 USG%, 32 AST%)
82 (+1) Eric Bledsoe (18.2 PER, 57 TS%, 23 USG%, 29 AST%)
82 (-2) Goran Dragic (17.2 PER, 58 TS%, 22 USG%, 21 AST%)
81 (+3) Jeff Teague (21.2 PER, 60 TS%, 25 USG%, 37 AST%)
81 (+2) Brandon Knight (19.0 PER, 57 TS%, 26 USG%, 30 AST%)
80 (+1) Darren Collison (19.4 PER, 55 TS%, 23 USG%, 32 AST%)

How NOT to chase history:
2015 Rajon Rondo: 41.0 TS%
2008 Ben Wallace: 40.8 TS%

One of these players was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year to counteract his offensive ineptitude.  The other is Rajon Rondo.

Jeff Teague is having a breakout year, a leading reason the Hawks are 3rd in the East and winners of their last 9 games.  Brandon Knight and Darren Collison are likewise having breakouts while leading their teams beyond expectations.

21-30
80 (+2) Reggie Jackson (16.6 PER, 51 TS%, 25 USG%, 32 AST%)
80 (NC) Brandon Jennings (16.0 PER, 50 TS%, 24 USG%, 37 AST%)
80 (-2) Kemba Walker (15.9 PER, 47 TS%, 23 USG%, 27 AST%)
80 (NC) Michael Carter-Williams (12.8 PER, 45 TS%, 28 USG%, 43 AST%)
79 (NC) Ricky Rubio (15.9 PER, 46 TS%, 20 USG%, 56 AST%)
78 (NC) Jose Calderon (13.5 PER, 57 TS%, 14 USG%, 22 AST%)
77 (-1) Patrick Beverley (16.1 PER, 59 TS%, 18 USG%, 16 AST%)
77 (+1) Kirk Hinrich (9.8 PER, 50 TS%, 16 USG%, 18 AST%)
76 (NC) Andre Miller (16.5 PER, 64 TS%, 14 USG%, 39 AST%)
76 (+1) Mario Chalmers (15.5 PER, 57 TS%, 22 USG%, 25 AST%)

MCW isn't having nearly the success he had as a rookie, though recovering from injury hasn't helped.

Patrick Beverley has become the NBA's premier 3-N-D player a leading reason the Rockets 17-5 with the 2nd best defense in the league.  Comparing Beverley straight against Kirk Hinrich makes their ratings look plain silly.

31-40
76 (+2) Tony Wroten (14.8 PER, 49 TS%, 30 USG%, 38 AST%)
76 (-1) Jeremy Lin (13.5 PER, 55 TS%, 19 USG%, 26 AST%)
76 (NC) Greivis Vasquez (13.1 PER, 48 TS%, 23 USG%, 24 AST%)
76 (NC) Nate Robinson (9.7 PER, 43 TS%, 23 USG%, 22 AST%)
75 (+5) Dennis Schroder (19.1 PER, 57 TS%, 24 USG%, 29 AST%)
75 (+2) Aaron Brooks (16.4 PER, 58 TS%, 27 USG%, 30 AST%)
75 (NC) Devin Harris (15.4 PER, 57 TS%, 17 USG%, 22 AST%)
75 (NC) C.J. Watson (14.7 PER, 49 TS%, 21 USG%, 30 AST%)
75 (-1) Mo Williams (13.2 PER, 49 TS%, 21 USG%, 40 AST%)
75 (-1) D.J. Augustin (12.4 PER, 50 TS%, 22 USG%, 26 AST%)

Coming off a dreadful rookie season, Schroder pound for pound might be the league's most improved player (although not a candidate for the award, as it's typically given to players who log heavy minutes).

41-50
75 (-1) Marcus Smart (11.8 PER, 48 TS%, 18 USG%, 13 AST%)
75 (NC) Trey Burke (11.5 PER, 45 TS%, 20 USG%, 29 AST%)
75 (-1) Jameer Nelson (11.0 PER, 51 TS%, 16 USG%, 23 AST%)
74 (NC) J.J. Barea (19.4 PER, 52 TS%, 22 USG%, 33 AST%)
74 (NC) Beno Udrih (16.3 PER, 58 TS%, 20 USG%, 30 AST%)
74 (NC) Jarrett Jack (12.5 PER, 50 TS%, 16 USG%, 21 AST%)
74 (-1) Norris Cole (11.9 PER, 48 TS%, 16 USG%, 23 AST%)
74 (NC) Brian Roberts (11.5 PER, 48 TS%, 18 USG%, 20 AST%)
74 (NC) Elfrid Payton (10.4 PER, 41 TS%, 19 USG%, 30 AST%)
74 (NC) Ramon Sessions (9.4 PER, 45 TS%, 21 USG%, 23 AST%)

J.J. Barea has thoroughly outplayed Mavericks starter Jameer Nelson but is better suited to a bench role.   Beno Udrih is likewise having a bounce-back year with a stable bench role.

51-60
74 (NC) Dante Exum (7.3 PER, 48 TS%, 15 USG%, 17 AST%)
73 (NC) Cory Joseph (16.5 PER, 56 TS%, 19 USG%, 20 AST%)
73 (-1) Shaun Livingston (12.0 PER, 53 TS%, 22 USG%, 23 AST%)
73 (-1) Kendall Marshall (11.5 PER, 61 TS%, 15 USG%, 28 AST%)
73 (-1) Shabazz Napier (9.2 PER, 56 TS%, 15 USG%, 15 AST%)
73 (+1) Matthew Dellavedova (8.2 PER, 48 TS%, 11 USG%, 20 AST%)
72 (NC) Isaiah Canaan (13.9 PER, 19 USG%, 14 AST%)
72 (NC) Pablo Prigioni (13.5 PER, 64 TS%, 13 USG%, 18 AST%)
72 (NC) Luke Ridnour (11.0 PER, 52 TS%, 14 USG%, 26 AST%
72 (+1) Shelvin Mack (9.6 PER, 41 TS%, 18 USG%, 28 AST%)

I've mentioned in a SimHangOut that Cory Joseph would need to step up to fill Patty Mills shoes and he has done so adequately.

Dante Exum is doing a little bit more than letting his sim hang low (Hey Scott, you called it!).  Exum was drafted more for his potential than what he could do as a teenage rookie, and looking at the leap Dennis Schroder has made at 21, it's obviously way too early to discount him. However at present it's clear that Exum has yet to realize his potential.

61-72
72 (+1) Steve Blake (9.4 PER, 50 TS%, 12 USG%, 27 AST%)
72 (NC) Jordan Farmar (9.0 PER, 52 TS%, 17 USG%, 18 AST%)
71 (+6) Donald Sloan (13.1 PER, 48 TS%, 19 USG%, 27 AST%)
71 (-1) Shane Larkin (9.6 PER, 52 TS%, 13 USG%, 16 AST%)
71 (-3) Ray McCallum (6.5 PER, 52 TS%, 17 USG%, 10 AST%)
70 (NC) Jordan Clarkson (15.3 PER, 55 TS%, 19 USG%, 10 AST%)
70 (-2) Zach LaVine (8.8 PER, 49 TS%, 20 USG%, 20 AST%)
70 (NC) Phil Pressey (8.4 PER, 38 TS%, 13 USG%, 25 AST%)
69 (NC) Ronnie Price (8.4 PER, 39 TS%, 12 USG%, 24 AST%)
68 (-4) Jimmer Fredette (2.8 PER, 33 TS%, 15 USG%, 11 AST%)
67 (NC) Leandro Barbosa (12.2 PER, 51 TS%, 20 USG%, 12 AST%)
66 (NC) A.J. Price (17.2 PER, 54 TS%, 25 USG%, 27 AST%)

Donald Sloan did about as well as could be expected going from 3rd string to NBA starter.  A.J. Price actually outplayed him and is in the same boat Sloan was at the start of the year.  Price has been one of 2K's most underrated players dating back to his rookie season in 2010.  He's not great, but the 6-year pro (12.2 Career PER) is certainly a capable 3rd string.

Barbosa should be listed at SG, which would raise his OVR an appropriate degree (there's obviously no comparison between he and Jimmer Fredette).

LESS THAN 100 MINUTES (15)
78 (NC) George Hill (DNP)
77 (NC) Patrick Mills (DNP)
76 (NC) Steve Nash (DNP)
74 (NC) Raymond Felton (DNP)
72 (NC) Nick Calathes (7.7 PER, 41 TS%, 15 USG%, 33 AST%)
72 (-3) Nate Wolters (3.9 PER, 38 TS%, 12 USG%, 8 AST%)
71 (NC) Tyler Ennis (4.9 PER, 46 TS%, 21 USG%, 28 AST%)
69 (NEW) Spencer Dinwiddie (8.5 PER, 40 TS%, 16 USG%, 31 AST%)
68 (NEW) Erick Green (18.7 PER, 65 TS%, 20 USG%, 23 AST%)
68 (NC) Ish Smith (14.0 PER, 50 TS%, 20 USG%, 14 AST%)
68 (-1) Russ Smith (-34.2 PER, 0 TS%, 25 USG%, 0 AST%)
67 (NC) Jannero Pargo (13.3 PER, 54 TS%, 27 USG%, 14 AST%)
67 (NC) Jared Cunningham (1.5 PER, 36 TS%, 23 USG%, 17 AST%)
67 (NC) Gal Mekel (0.6 PER, 15 TS%, 23 USG%, 41 AST%)
66 (NC) Toure Murry (DNP)

FREE AGENTS (20)
72 (+2) Will Bynum (DNP)
69 (NC) Sebastian Telfair (11.8 PER, 48 TS%, 22 USG%, 23 AST%)
69 (NC) Marquis Teague (DNP)
69 (NC) Diante Garrett (DNP)
69 (NC) John Lucas (DNP)
68 (NC) Nando De Colo (DNP)
67 (NEW) Will Cherry (5.9 PER, 35 TS%, 17 USG%, 16 AST%)
67 (NEW) Kalin Lucas (-0.6 PER, 0 TS%, 8 USG%, 0 AST%)
67 (NC) Nemanja Nedovic (DNP)
67 (NC) Julyan Stone (DNP)
66 (NC) Dwight Buycks (DNP)
66 (NEW) Casper Ware (DNP)
66 (NC) Peyton Siva (DNP)
65 (NEW) Jorge Gutierrez (11.1 PER, 52 TS%, 19 USG%, 27 AST%)
65 (NC) Lorenzo Brown (DNP)
65 (NC) Seth Curry (DNP)
65 (NC) Josh Akognon (DNP)
65 (NC) Sherron Collins (DNP)
65 (NC) Mike James (DNP)
60 (NC) Orien Greene (DNP)

Will Bynum's +2 signifies how underrated he was athletically prior to the global speed adjustment.

Even though great progress has been made with respect to player ratings, there's still a lot of work to be actively done.  I should have posts for the other four positions up in the coming days, and will update these lists throughout the season, so check back for updates on which players are over/underrated by 2K Sports.