Lately there has been a lot of chatter that Durant hasn't been getting his due in the ratings department. This is somewhat true - he is right behind Carmelo Anthony in scoring, has a similar styled game. Up until yesterday, Durant trailed Melo by 5 overall (86 to 91). The 2K Insider boosted Durant to an 88 overall in the most recent 2K update, and I'm here to check out whether or not these changes were warranted.
Kevin Durant
Offense 91 (+1)
Defense 74 (+1)
Rebound 80 (+3)
ATTRIBUTES
Overall 88 (+2)
Inside 95
Close 89
Medium 82 (+2)
3PT 80 (+5)
LowPost 86
FreeThrow 87
Layup 80
Dunk 82
StandDunk 55
OffDribble 86
InTraffic 83
Handle 77
OffHand 71
Security 82
Pass 52
Block 50
Steal 76
Hands 96 (+3)
BallDef 63
OffReb 60
DefReb 78 (+4)
OffPost 79
DefPost 56
OffAwr 99 (+2)
DefAwr 78 (+3)
OffClutch 70 (+10)
DefClutch 25
Consistency 99
Stamina 91
Speed 78
Quickness 75
Strength 30
Vertical 73
Hustle 80
Durability 80
Potential 97
Emotion 60
While this might appease some, I'm not so easily fooled. I'll get to that in a minute - for now, let's compare Durant to Carmelo Anthony.
Carmelo Anthony (differences between Durant in parenthasize)
Offense 97 (+6)
Defense 84 (+10)
Rebound 70 (-10)
ATTRIBUTES
Overall 91 (+3)
Inside 91 (-4)
Close 88 (-1)
Medium 83 (+1)
3PT 78 (-2)
LowPost 94 (+8)
FreeThrow 78 (-9)
Layup 86 (+6)
Dunk 79 (-3)
StandDunk 55
OffDribble 85 (-1)
InTraffic 82 (-1)
Handle 80 (+3)
OffHand 76 (+5)
Security 77 (-5)
Pass 55 (+5)
Block 35 (-15)
Steal 70 (-6)
Hands 99 (+3)
BallDef 69 (+6)
OffReb 56 (-4)
DefReb 70 (-8)
OffPost 90 (+11)
DefPost 67 (+11)
OffAwr 99
DefAwr 75 (-3)
OffClutch 85 (+15)
DefClutch 40 (+15)
Consistency 99
Stamina 95 (+4)
Speed 82 (+4)
Quickness 85 (+10)
Strength 78 (+48)
Vertical 85 (+12)
Hustle 94 (+14)
Durability 85 (+5)
Potential 95 (-2)
Emotion 60
I highlighted what I consider the significant differences.
Durant and Melo have similar shot ratings, and Durant actually has the edge here. What seperates he and Melo is their post games, and I don't think any Durant fan can put much into that argument. At only 21 years old and little bulk, Durant can't hope to compare to Melo on the low block. Melo also has the slight edge in ball-handling (though Durant does have better ball security).
However, it's a bit curious to me how the lighter Durant is actually slower than Melo, and nowhere near as quick. He also has a better on-ball defense rating than Durant which I don't think many would agree with.
It's not all roses for Durant however - why in god's name is his rebounding so much better than Melo's?
We now need to move on to a statistical comp of the players just to see how badly 2K screwed this up.
Kevin Durant
25.3 PER
.608 TS%
3.4 ORB%
17.2 DRB%
14.6 AST%
1.8 STL%
1.6 BLK%
13.5 TO%
32.0 USG%
115 ORTG (Team: 106.4)
102 DRTG (Team: 103.3)
Carmelo Anthony
24.5 PER
.568 TS%
6.8 ORB%
13.3 DRB%
16.8 AST%
1.8 STL%
0.7 BLK%
10.7 TO%
34.2 USG%
113 ORTG (Team: 111.6)
108 DRTG (Team: 106.3)
Durant has most of the edges but let's break each one down individually.
PER - Durant's is slightly better, but what's really scary is he is 4 years younger than Melo, and this is easily Melo's best season.
TS% - Melo is taking 10 FTA per game, and connecting on 86% of them (both are easily career bests). And despite that, Melo is still well behind Durant. The biggest difference between them? Durant is hitting 68% from Inside, while Melo is hitting only 58% Inside. While both are actually somewhat overrated (LeBron is rated 95 and is hitting 71%), Melo is clearly the more overrated of the two (frankly, he shouldn't even be within 10 points of LeBron right now).
ORB% - Melo is twice the offensive rebounder is, yet Durant boasts an OffReb rating 4 points higher. The 2K Insider fails hardcore once again. And no, the solution ain't raising Melo - it's dropping Durant 20 points (which will surely decrease his rating, oh no!).
DRB% - Durant is a better defensive rebounder than Melo and boasts an 8 point edge that I won't argue with. That's not the problem. The problem is Melo is 20 points overrated. Which means Durant is 20 points overrated too.
AST% - Melo has a 2.2% edge and 5 point edge in the ratings dept. Fine.
STL% - They are both tied at 1.8%, yet Durant has a 6 point edge. Hmm.
BLK% - Durant is obviously the better shot blocker and holds a 15 point edge, no complaints here.
TO% and USG% - Melo has cut his turnovers despite a raise to his USG% (Translation: Fewer turnovers despite greater offensive responsibility). Tough to argue with Melo's handle edge, but Durant's ball security is especialy high for a SF that doesn't do a good job of protecting the ball. According to 82games, Durant has committed 91 ball handling turnovers, which is simply terrible when compared to other star swing men (Melo's 50, LeBron's 55, Kobe's 60, Roy's 39, etc).
ORTG - Largely due to the TS%, Durant is the more valuable offensive player and significantly more important to his team than Melo has been this season.
DRTG - Defensively, it's not even close. Durant is the leader of a team that ranks 6th defensively. Melo is below hiw own team's average, as the Nuggets 12th ranked defense owes it's success to the frontcourt trio of Birdman, Nene, and K-Mart.
We've discovered three things from this exercise.
1. Kevin Durant deserves to be at least on par with Carmelo Anthony.
2. Kevin Durant is bigtime overrated in a few areas.
3. Carmelo Anthony is overrated, period.
With all of the above knowledge in hand, it's time to apply it. Here are the rating changes I've come up with for Durant and Melo.
Kevin Durant
Offense 92 (up from 91)
Defense 80 (up from 74)
Rebound 60 (down from 80)
ATTRIBUTES
Overall 87 (down from 88)
Inside 89 (down from 95)
Close 89
Medium 80 (down from 82)
3PT 80
LowPost 86
FreeThrow 88 (up from 87)
Layup 80
Dunk 84 (up from 82)
StandDunk 55
OffDribble 74 (down from 86)
InTraffic 78 (down from 83)
Handle 77
OffHand 73 (up from 71)
Security 62 (down from 82)
Pass 55 (up from 52)
Block 47 (down from 50)
Steal 70 (down from 76)
Hands 96
BallDef 75 (up from 63)
OffReb 40 (down from 60)
DefReb 65 (down from 78)
OffPost 79
DefPost 56
OffAwr 96 (down from 99)
DefAwr 78
OffClutch 50 (down from 70)
DefClutch 25
Consistency 99
Stamina 91
Speed 86 (up from 78)
Quickness 85 (up from 75)
Strength 40 (up from 30)
Vertical 73
Hustle 85 (up from 80) (70)
Durability 85 (up from 80) (70)
Potential 97
Emotion 60
As you can see right up top, my Durant is better offensively and defensively, while having accurate rebound ratings.
Carmelo Anthony
Offense 96 (down from 97)
Defense 82 (down from 84)
Rebound 58 (down from 70)
ATTRIBUTES
Overall 87 (down from 91)
Inside 83 (down from 91)
Close 87 (down from 88)
Medium 79 (down from 83)
3PT 78
LowPost 92 (down from 94)
FreeThrow 86 (up from 78)
Layup 86
Dunk 79
StandDunk 55
OffDribble 75 (down from 85)
InTraffic 77 (down from 82)
Handle 80
OffHand 76
Security 77
Pass 60 (up from 55)
Block 35
Steal 70
Hands 99
BallDef 69
OffReb 56
DefReb 50 (down from 70)
OffPost 90
DefPost 67
OffAwr 96 (down from 99)
DefAwr 69 (down from 75)
OffClutch 85
DefClutch 25 (down from 40)
Consistency 99
Stamina 91 (down from 95)
Speed 84 (up from 82)
Quickness 85
Strength 78
Vertical 85
Hustle 89 (down from 94)
Durability 78 (down from 85)
Potential 95
Emotion 60
2K actually rates Melo the 5th best player in the league, trailing only LeBron, Kobe, Wade, and Paul. I have Melo tied for 8th with Durant, Howard, Bosh, and Roy - a far more fitting placement for a player that isn't much beyond a scorer.
So if you're reading this, please don't beg the 2K Insider to raise Kevin Durant to the 90s. That would just make things worse. Instead, demand that Melo see a drop. While we're at it, tell him to stop giving stars jacked up rebound ratings. You can get away with using Durant/Melo/LeBron at center the way the Insider is rating these guys.
(Or just make things simple, and use my roster instead.)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Rashidi's Real 2K Insider [02-03-10]
It has been quite a while since my last update, and there is a lot to cover in this update. Amidst all the changes, All-Star teams were announced, and my ratings match up EXTREMELY WELL compared to 2K's.
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The lastest Real 2K Insider roster has been uploaded to 2K Share! Download it now, and please feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback!
FILE NAME: Rashidi's Real 2K Insider [02-03-10]
GAMERTAG: Real 2K Insider
PLATFORM: Xbox 360
HIGHLIGHTS
74.2% of all players in the NBA (312/420) have been edited!
All edited players updated monthly!
No missing players!
Accurate player positions, player roles, and rotations for all teams!
Accurate contracts for all edited players!
Updated player shooting tendencies, coach profiles, and accessories!
Revised speed and quickness ratings for bigmen!
Revised shoot off dribble and shoot in traffic for all players!
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ALL-STAR SELECTIONS
EAST ALL-STARS
C Dwight Howard (88)
PF Kevin Garnett (84) - Bosh a better player, but KG's still an all-star.
SF LeBron James (95)
SG Allen Iverson (76) - Obviously not worthy, but voted in by fans
PG Dwyane Wade (94)
BENCH
PF Chris Bosh (87)
PG Rajon Rondo (86)
SG Joe Johnson (85)
SF Gerald Wallace (83) - Has put the Bobcats on top.
SF Paul Pierce (82)
PG Derrick Rose (80) - 2nd best PG in the east, while Billups/Parker snubbed in west.
C Al Horford (80) - Numbers aside, much better defensively than David Lee.
SNUBS
PF Josh Smith (83) - Should have made the team over Pierce.
SF Andre Iguodala (81) - Simply not better than Wallace or the snubbed Smith.
PG Gilbert Arenas (81) - His legal issues made Derrick Rose a shoo-in.
C David Lee (80)
SF Danny Granger (80)
Aside from Josh Smith not making it I have no complaints about the east selections. Sure, Iverson was voted in by the fans, but the east is incredibly thin at guard anyway. His selection likely robbed Smith, but it's not like the fans were going to vote Joe Johnson in. Instead, it's the fault of the pre-season selection committee that placed Iverson on the ballot instead of Zach Randolph. It was a tough call and they went with the established player.
WEST ALL-STARS
C Amare Stoudemire (81) - Why was he on the center ballot again?
PF Tim Duncan (91)
SF Carmelo Anthony (87)
SG Kobe Bryant (93)
PG Steve Nash (82) - Hope CP3/D-Will get more votes before this turns Iverson...
BENCH
PG Chris Paul (94) (INJURED)
PG Deron Williams (88)
SG Brandon Roy (87)
C Pau Gasol (86) - Significantly better than Chris "cry moar" Kaman
SF Kevin Durant (86) - The first of many selections to come.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (83)
PF Zach Randolph (78) - Receiving a lot of credit for Memphis' turnaround.
PG Chauncey Billups (80) - Injury replacement for Chris Paul
SNUBS
C Yao Ming (85) (INJURED)
PF Carlos Boozer (83) - A beter player than Randolph, but worse numbers.
PG Tony Parker (82) - Dealing with injuries, was another candidate to replace CP3.
SG Manu Ginobili (81) - Doesn't play enough minutes for consideration.
C Greg Oden (81) (INJURED)
SG Monta Ellis (80) - Putting up numbers, but in heavy minutes padded by Nellie-ball.
PG Russell Westbrook (80)
C Al Jefferson (80)
C Emeka Okafor (80)
The west selections are spot on, as the only argument one could make would be Randolph/Boozer (or Billups/Parker as injury replacment). Sorry Chris Kaman fans, but 20/9 isn't all-star production when you're getting more touches than Tim Duncan and your team is 11th in the conference.
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PLAYER MOVEMENT
Coby Karl signed a 10-Day contract with the Warriors and replaced Cartier Martin on the roster.
Bobby Brown was traded by the Hornets to the Clippers for a 2nd round pick. He takes the roster spot of D-Leaguer JamesOn Curry.
D-Leaguer Cedric Jackson was signed to a couple 10-Day contracts as the Cavs suffered a slew of injuries at the PG position.
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INJURY REPORT
Chris Paul will miss 4-6 weeks following knee surgery. Aside from the playoff ramifications (little hope New Orleans can hold on without him), this would appear to cost CP3 another spot on the All-NBA First Team (possibly even the Second Team).
Mo Williams will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder sprain. Delonte West should have benefitted from this but broke a finger in his first start.
Ben Gordon returned from injury but is only getting about 18 minutes off the bench right now. So far this season he is only averaging 16 points and shooting 42% when he does play. It's been a nightmare season for both Ben and Detroit.
Mario Chalmers tore a ligament in his thumb and is out indefinitely. Chalmers essentially went from starter to 3rd string as the team picked up veterans Carlos Arroyo and Rafer Alston.
Sebastian Telfair is out for 4-6 weeks with a strained groin. His injury led the team to replace him with career 3rd stringer Bobby Brown.
Francisco Elson will miss 6 weeks after surgery to repair a sports hernia. Elson has only played 11 games this season, and at 33 years old, we might as well write his career epitaph now. He had 6 serviceable seasons as a backup center and was the league's oldest rookie (27) back in 2004.
As you have surely heard by now, Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton are officially suspended for the remainder of the season. Crittenton will likely need to head to the D-League (or even Europe) to resurrect his career.
The following players are targeting returns after the All-Star break: Marquis Daniels, Leon Powe, Joakim Noah, Kyle Lowry, and Reggie Evans.
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ROTATION UPDATES
Darren Collison is starting at PG in New Orleans following CP3's injury. He is capable of posting gaudy assist totals in the Hornets offense. Who knows, if impresses the Hornets might privately open up to trading CP3 in the future.
Daniel Gibson has gone from 3rd string to starting PG in Cleveland. Gibson is still nothing more than a 3pt gunner but that's all he needs to be next to LeBron James.
Jrue Holliday and Elton Brand are starting in Philadelphia, while Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young are coming off the bench.
Finally, there is a God. In a move I've been clamoring for since last season, Nate Robinson is finally the starting PG of the New York Knicks. Nate replaces the offensively inept Chris Duhon, only one month after a return from month-long benching. Larry Hughes also returned to the Knick lineup and will take even more of Duhon's minutes.
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BIGGEST MOVERS
Kobe Bryant played very poorly in January, and his .544 TS% is tied with 1997 and 2002 as the worst of his career. While he worked on his post and mid-range game over the summer, this has only served to mask the decline in his ability to finish at the basket.
Brandon Jennnings had a hot start to his rookie season, shooting 42% from the field (49% from 3pt range) in November. The league has adjusted since then, and Jennings only shot shooting 37% and 32% from the field in December and January respectively.
Allen Iverson is averaging only 15/3/4 in a Sixer uniform, which is closer to "solid" than "star" production. The bigger issue is Iverson's steals have completely vanished! He is averaging only 0.7 steals compared to his 2.2 career average. When A.I. isn't playing the passing lanes and getting steals, he's not offering much in the way in defense.
Jarrett Jack unexpectedly took Jose Calderon's job in Toronto and the team has not looked back. Jack only shot 43% from the field in November but shot 50% and 54% in December and January respectively.
Nazr Mohammed has been everything that Tyson Chandler was supposed to be, which is why the Bobcats have thrived since Chandler's injury. Mohammed sports a 21.5 PER compared to Chandler's 9.7 PER.
Goran Dragic has played much better as a sophomore than he did as a rookie, and his game has become very similar to fellow Slovenian PG Beno Udrih.
Sonny Weems has shown himself to be a decent role player, and far better than the 56 rating 2K has him listed at.
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THE RATINGS
312/420 (.742) NBA players updated
(+/-) = Difference from 2K Sports roster
LW = Overall change from last week
Top Players Not Yet Edited
72 - Charlie Villanueva
71 - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
70 - Mike Miller
70 - Udonis Haslem
70 - Roger Mason
70 - Jason Maxiell
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POINT GUARDS (74/85)
94 – Chris Paul (-1) (INJURED) (LW: -1)
88 – Deron Williams (-2) (LW: -1)
86 – Rajon Rondo (0)
82 – Steve Nash (0)
82 – Baron Davis (0) (LW: +1)
82 – Tony Parker (-2) (LW: -2)
81 – Gilbert Arenas (-4) (SUSPENDED)
80 – Chauncey Billups (-4)
80 – Derrick Rose (-4) (LW: +2)
80 - Russell Westbrook (0) (LW: -1)
79 – Tyreke Evans (0)
79 – Devin Harris (-1) (LW: -1)
78 – Aaron Brooks (+1)
77 – Mo Williams (0) (INJURED)
77 – Jason Kidd (-3)
76 – Brandon Jennings (-1) LW: -3)
76 – Raymond Felton (+2) (LW: +2)
76 – Nate Robinson (-2) (LW: +3)
75 – Jameer Nelson (-2) (LW: -3)
75 – Rodney Stuckey (+1)
75 – Jonny Flynn (0)
75 – Ty Lawson (-1) (LW: -2)
75 – Kyle Lowry (+1)
74 – Andre Miller (-4) (LW: -1)
73 – Darren Collison (+3)
73 – Louis Williams (0)
73 – Luke Ridnour (0) (LW: +1)
73 – Will Bynum (+5) (LW: +1)
73 – T.J. Ford (0) (INACTIVE)
72 – Mario Chalmers (0) (INJURED)
71 – Stephen Curry (0) (LW: +1)
71 – Michael Conley (-2)
71 – Rafer Alston (-3)
71 – Jarrett Jack (+2) (LW: +3)
71 – Jose Calderon (-1) (LW: -1)
70 – Mike Bibby (-5) (LW: -1)
70 – Earl Boykins (+3)
70 – Keyon Dooling (-1)
69 – Earl Watson (+4) (LW: -1)
69 – Chris Duhon (0) (LW: -1)
69 – Goran Dragic (+1) (LW: +4)
69 – Beno Udrih (+6)
69 – Jrue Holiday (+2)
69 – Toney Douglas (+2)
68 – Randy Foye (-2)
68 – Jason Williams (+1)
68 – Jose Barea (-3)
68 – Ramon Sessions (-2)
68 – Carlos Arroyo (+3)
68 – Eric Maynor (0)
67 – George Hill (+6) (LW: +4)
67 – C.J. Watson (-1) (LW: -1)
67 – Jordan Farmar (+1)
67 – Jamaal Tinsley (0)
67 – D.J. Augustin (-2)
67 – Rodrigue Beaubois (0)
67 – Jeff Teague (+1)
66 – Derek Fisher (-5)
66 – Will Conroy (CAP)
64 – Steve Blake (-5) (LW: -3)
64 – Anthony Johnson (+3)
63 – A.J. Price (+8)
63 – Eddie House (+5)
63 – Sergio Rodriguez (+1)
62 – Daniel Gibson (+2)
62 – Patrick Mills (-6) (D-LEAGUE)
61 – Sundiata Gaines (CAP)
61 – Cedric Jackson (CAP) (TEN-DAY)
61 – Bobby Brown (+3)
61 – Lester Hudson (-1)
60 – Anthony Carter (+2)
60 – Acie Law (0)
57 – Lindsey Hunter (-4)
25 – Speedy Claxton (-36) (INACTIVE)
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SHOOTING GUARDS 52/74
94 – Dwyane Wade (-1)
93 - Kobe Bryant (-2) (LW: -2)
87 – Brandon Roy (-1)
85 – Joe Johnson (-4)
81 – Manu Ginobili (-2) (LW: -1)
80 – Monta Ellis (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Kevin Martin (+2)
78 – Vince Carter (-3) (LW: -1)
77 – Stephen Jackson (-4)
76 – Trevor Ariza (-3)
76 – Ray Allen (-2)
76 – Allen Iverson (-4) (LW: -2)
76 – Jason Terry (-2)
76 – James Harden (-2)
76 – Tracy McGrady (0) (INACTIVE)
75 – Ben Gordon (-3)
75 – O.J. Mayo (-4) (LW: +1)
75 – Delonte West (+1)
74 – Richard Hamilton (-4) (LW: -3)
74 – Eric Gordon (0)
74 – Wilson Chandler (+1) (LW: +1)
74 – Kirk Hinrich (-1) (LW: -2)
74 – Leandro Barbosa (0) (INJURED)
73 – Jason Richardson (+1)
73 – Jamal Crawford (-2)
73 – J.R. Smith (+3)
72 – Larry Hughes (0) (LW: -1)
70 – John Salmons (+1) (LW: -1)
70 – Flip Murray (+4)
70 – Jerryd Bayless (+2) (LW: -1)
70 – Rudy Fernandez (+2) LW: -1)
70 – Raja Bell (-1) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
69 – Ronnie Brewer (-1)
69 – Courtney Lee (+1)
69 – Shannon Brown (+1)
68 – Michael Redd (-7) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON) (LW: -4)
68 – Arron Afflalo (+3) (LW: +2)
68 – Willie Green (0)
67 – Charlie Bell (+1)
67 – Tony Allen (+1)
66 – Thabo Sefolosha (+1) (LW: -1)
66 – Terrence Williams (-5) (LW: -3)
66 – Sasha Vujacic (-1) (LW: -1)
66 – Marcus Thornton (+5)
65 – Devin Brown (+6)
65 – J.J. Redick (+10)
65 – Jerry Stackhouse (-2)
64 – Marco Belinelli (-1) (LW: -2)
63 – Wesley Matthews (+1) (LW: +1)
62 – Mardy Collins (+6)
59 – Morris Peterson (+4)
25 – Cuttino Mobley (CAP) (RETIRED)
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SMALL FORWARDS (62/83)
95 – LeBron James (-2)
87 – Carmelo Anthony (-4) (LW: -1)
86 – Kevin Durant (0) (LW: +1)
83 – Gerald Wallace (0) (LW: +1)
82 – Paul Pierce (-1)
81 – Andre Iguodala (-4) (LW: -1)
80 – Danny Granger (-2) (LW: -4)
78 – Caron Butler (-1) (LW: -1)
78 – Ron Artest (-2)
77 – Rudy Gay (-3)
76 – Josh Howard (-1)
75 – Luol Deng (-2)
75 – Andrei Kirilenko (+4)
75 – Tayshaun Prince (-1)
74 – Shawn Marion (-6)
74 – Dahntay Jones (+2)
73 – Richard Jefferson (-3)
73 – Shane Battier (-2)
73 – Grant Hill (-2)
72 – Hedo Turkoglu (-2) (LW: -3)
72 – Jared Dudley (0)
72 - Kelenna Azubuike (+1) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
71 – Mickael Pietrus (-1)
70 – Danilo Gallinari (+3) (LW: +1)
70 – Quentin Richardson (+1)
70 – Andres Nocioni (+1)
69 – Chris Douglas-Roberts (-3) (LW: -2)
69 – Matt Barnes (+3)
68 – Martell Webster (+2) (LW: -2)
68 – Marvin Williams (+2)
68 – Omri Casspi (+6)
68 – Al Thornton (0) (LW: +1)
68 – Marquis Daniels (+3) (INJURED)
67 – Carlos Delfino (+4)
67 – Mike Dunleavy (+5)
67 – James Posey (-4) (LW: -1)
67 – Luke Walton (+1)
67 – Joey Graham (-2)
66 – C.J. Miles (+8)
66 – Jonas Jerebko (+2)
66 – Anthony Morrow (+1) (INJURED)
66 – Maurice Evans (0)
65 – Rasual Butler (+4)
65 – Chase Budinger (-2)
65 – Nicolas Batum (+1)
65 – Joe Alexander (+5) (D-LEAGUE)
65 – Julian Wright (-1)
65 – Sonny Weems (+9) (LW: +7)
65 – Antoine Wright (+3)
65 – Sam Young (-1) (LW: +1)
65 – Jonathan Bender (+5)
64 – Kyle Korver (+3)
63 – Donte Greene (+6)
63 – Derrick Brown (-5)
61 - Peja Stojakovic (+1)
61 – Marcus Landry (CAP)
60 – Jason Kapono (+2)
60 – J.R. Giddens (+3) (D-LEAGUE)
60 – Bill Walker (+1)
59 – Devean George (-2)
56 – Adam Morrison (+2)
25 – Matt Harpring (-41) (RETIRED)
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POWER FORWARDS 62/90
87 – Chris Bosh (0)
86 – Pau Gasol (-1)
84 – Kevin Garnett (-3)
83 – Dirk Nowitzki (-1)
83 – Josh Smith (+1)
83 – Carlos Boozer (-2)
81 – Amare Stoudemire (-1)
78 – Zach Randolph (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Antawn Jamison (+1)
78 – LaMarcus Aldridge (+1) (LW: +1)
77 – Kevin Love (+3)
77 – Luis Scola (+4) (LW: +1)
77 – Carl Landry (+1)
77 – Blake Griffin (0) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
76 – Corey Maggette (-2) (LW: +1)
76 – Jeff Green (+1)
75 – David West (0)
75 – Kenyon Martin (0) (LW: -1)
75 – Marcus Camby (-2)
75 – Al Harrington (+1)
75 – Elton Brand (+1)
75 – Lamar Odom (-3)
75 – Tyrus Thomas (+4)
74 – Michael Beasley (-1)
74 – Paul Millsap (-1) (LW: -1)
73 – Rashard Lewis (+1)
73 – Jason Thompson (+1)
72 – Troy Murphy (0)
72 – Ersan Ilyasova (+9)
71 – Anderson Varejao (+3)
70 – Thaddeus Young (-1)
70 – Boris Diaw (0)
70 – Brandon Bass (+2)
70 - Louis Amundson (+5) (LW: +1)
69 – Travis Outlaw (0) (INJURED)
69 – Hakim Warrick (+4)
68 – Yi Jianlian (-1)
68 – Shelden Williams (+7)
68 – Jordan Hill (+6)
67 – Antonio McDyess (-2)
67 – Taj Gibson (+4)
67 – Renaldo Balkman (+1)
67 – Brandan Wright (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
66 – Jared Jeffries (+2)
66 – Glen Davis (+1)
65 – Ryan Anderson (+3)
65 – Darius Songaila (+3)
65 – Serge Ibaka (+4)
65 – Dante Cunningham (+3)
65 – Joe Smith (+1)
64 – J.J. Hickson (+3)
63 – Matt Bonner (+5)
63 - Josh Powell (-1)
62 – Eduardo Najera (-1)
62 – Tim Thomas (+2)
61 – Josh Boone (+3) (LW: -2)
59 – Vladimir Radmanovic (+5) (LW: +1)
59 – Malik Allen (+1)
59 – Taylor Griffin (-3) (D-LEAGUE)
54 – Brian Cook (0)
53 – Brian Scalabrine (+9)
48 – Steve Novak (+3)
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CENTERS 62/89
91 – Tim Duncan (+3) (LW: +1)
88 – Dwight Howard (0) (LW: -2)
85 – Yao Ming (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
81 – Greg Oden (+6) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
80 – David Lee (-1)
80 – Al Horford (+1) (LW: +1)
80 – Al Jefferson (-1) (LW: +1)
80 – Emeka Okafor (0) (LW: -1)
79 - Andrew Bogut (0)
79 – Brook Lopez (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Nene (+3)
78 – Kendrick Perkins (+5)
77 – Andrew Bynum (+1)
77 – Chris Kaman (-1)
77 – Shaquille O’Neal (0)
77 – Jermaine O’Neal (+1) (LW: +2)
76 – Marc Gasol (-1)
75 – Andris Biedrins (+2) (LW: -1)
74 – Joakim Noah (+1)
74 – Roy Hibbert (+2) (LW: +2)
73 – Samuel Dalembert (+3) (LW: +1)
73 – Marreese Speights (+1)
73 – Rasheed Wallace (-1)
72 – Mehmet Okur (+1)
72 – Zydrunas Ilgauskas (+1)
72 – Anthony Randolph (+1) (INJURED)
72 – DeJuan Blair (+12)
72 – Marcin Gortat (+4)
71 – Andrea Bargnani (-2) (LW: +1)
71 – Ben Wallace (-3) (LW: +1)
71 – Erick Dampier (+10)
71 – Nazr Mohammed (+9) (LW: +3)
71 – Chris Andersen (+3)
69 – Brendan Haywood (-2)
69 – Joel Przybilla (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
69 – Drew Gooden (+2)
68 – Chuck Hayes (-1)
68 - Ronny Turiaf (+1)
67 – Robin Lopez (+5)
67 – Spencer Hawes (+1)
67 – Tyson Chandler (+1) (INJURED)
67 – Zaza Pachulia (+2) (LW: -1)
67 – Kurt Thomas (-2) (LW: -1)
66 – Nenad Krstic (+6)
64 – Hasheem Thabeet (+7)
64 – Kwame Brown (0)
63 – Channing Frye (+1)
63 – Juwan Howard (+4) (LW: +3)
63 – Etan Thomas (+1)
63 – Darko Milicic (+4)
63 – Aaron Gray (0)
62 – Jeff Pendergraph (-1) (LW: +1)
61 – Johan Petro (+4)
60 – Solomon Jones (+6)
60 – DeAndre Jordan (+4)
60 – DJ Mbenga (+8)
60 – Eddy Curry (-5) (INJURED)
59 – Chris Hunter (-1)
58 – Adonal Foyle (+1) (INJURED)
52 – Jason Collins (0)
51 – Jarron Collins (+3)
51 – Randolph Morris (+1)
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Thoughts? Suggestions? Complaints? Leave a comment.
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The lastest Real 2K Insider roster has been uploaded to 2K Share! Download it now, and please feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback!
FILE NAME: Rashidi's Real 2K Insider [02-03-10]
GAMERTAG: Real 2K Insider
PLATFORM: Xbox 360
HIGHLIGHTS
74.2% of all players in the NBA (312/420) have been edited!
All edited players updated monthly!
No missing players!
Accurate player positions, player roles, and rotations for all teams!
Accurate contracts for all edited players!
Updated player shooting tendencies, coach profiles, and accessories!
Revised speed and quickness ratings for bigmen!
Revised shoot off dribble and shoot in traffic for all players!
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ALL-STAR SELECTIONS
EAST ALL-STARS
C Dwight Howard (88)
PF Kevin Garnett (84) - Bosh a better player, but KG's still an all-star.
SF LeBron James (95)
SG Allen Iverson (76) - Obviously not worthy, but voted in by fans
PG Dwyane Wade (94)
BENCH
PF Chris Bosh (87)
PG Rajon Rondo (86)
SG Joe Johnson (85)
SF Gerald Wallace (83) - Has put the Bobcats on top.
SF Paul Pierce (82)
PG Derrick Rose (80) - 2nd best PG in the east, while Billups/Parker snubbed in west.
C Al Horford (80) - Numbers aside, much better defensively than David Lee.
SNUBS
PF Josh Smith (83) - Should have made the team over Pierce.
SF Andre Iguodala (81) - Simply not better than Wallace or the snubbed Smith.
PG Gilbert Arenas (81) - His legal issues made Derrick Rose a shoo-in.
C David Lee (80)
SF Danny Granger (80)
Aside from Josh Smith not making it I have no complaints about the east selections. Sure, Iverson was voted in by the fans, but the east is incredibly thin at guard anyway. His selection likely robbed Smith, but it's not like the fans were going to vote Joe Johnson in. Instead, it's the fault of the pre-season selection committee that placed Iverson on the ballot instead of Zach Randolph. It was a tough call and they went with the established player.
WEST ALL-STARS
C Amare Stoudemire (81) - Why was he on the center ballot again?
PF Tim Duncan (91)
SF Carmelo Anthony (87)
SG Kobe Bryant (93)
PG Steve Nash (82) - Hope CP3/D-Will get more votes before this turns Iverson...
BENCH
PG Chris Paul (94) (INJURED)
PG Deron Williams (88)
SG Brandon Roy (87)
C Pau Gasol (86) - Significantly better than Chris "cry moar" Kaman
SF Kevin Durant (86) - The first of many selections to come.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (83)
PF Zach Randolph (78) - Receiving a lot of credit for Memphis' turnaround.
PG Chauncey Billups (80) - Injury replacement for Chris Paul
SNUBS
C Yao Ming (85) (INJURED)
PF Carlos Boozer (83) - A beter player than Randolph, but worse numbers.
PG Tony Parker (82) - Dealing with injuries, was another candidate to replace CP3.
SG Manu Ginobili (81) - Doesn't play enough minutes for consideration.
C Greg Oden (81) (INJURED)
SG Monta Ellis (80) - Putting up numbers, but in heavy minutes padded by Nellie-ball.
PG Russell Westbrook (80)
C Al Jefferson (80)
C Emeka Okafor (80)
The west selections are spot on, as the only argument one could make would be Randolph/Boozer (or Billups/Parker as injury replacment). Sorry Chris Kaman fans, but 20/9 isn't all-star production when you're getting more touches than Tim Duncan and your team is 11th in the conference.
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PLAYER MOVEMENT
Coby Karl signed a 10-Day contract with the Warriors and replaced Cartier Martin on the roster.
Bobby Brown was traded by the Hornets to the Clippers for a 2nd round pick. He takes the roster spot of D-Leaguer JamesOn Curry.
D-Leaguer Cedric Jackson was signed to a couple 10-Day contracts as the Cavs suffered a slew of injuries at the PG position.
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INJURY REPORT
Chris Paul will miss 4-6 weeks following knee surgery. Aside from the playoff ramifications (little hope New Orleans can hold on without him), this would appear to cost CP3 another spot on the All-NBA First Team (possibly even the Second Team).
Mo Williams will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder sprain. Delonte West should have benefitted from this but broke a finger in his first start.
Ben Gordon returned from injury but is only getting about 18 minutes off the bench right now. So far this season he is only averaging 16 points and shooting 42% when he does play. It's been a nightmare season for both Ben and Detroit.
Mario Chalmers tore a ligament in his thumb and is out indefinitely. Chalmers essentially went from starter to 3rd string as the team picked up veterans Carlos Arroyo and Rafer Alston.
Sebastian Telfair is out for 4-6 weeks with a strained groin. His injury led the team to replace him with career 3rd stringer Bobby Brown.
Francisco Elson will miss 6 weeks after surgery to repair a sports hernia. Elson has only played 11 games this season, and at 33 years old, we might as well write his career epitaph now. He had 6 serviceable seasons as a backup center and was the league's oldest rookie (27) back in 2004.
As you have surely heard by now, Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton are officially suspended for the remainder of the season. Crittenton will likely need to head to the D-League (or even Europe) to resurrect his career.
The following players are targeting returns after the All-Star break: Marquis Daniels, Leon Powe, Joakim Noah, Kyle Lowry, and Reggie Evans.
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ROTATION UPDATES
Darren Collison is starting at PG in New Orleans following CP3's injury. He is capable of posting gaudy assist totals in the Hornets offense. Who knows, if impresses the Hornets might privately open up to trading CP3 in the future.
Daniel Gibson has gone from 3rd string to starting PG in Cleveland. Gibson is still nothing more than a 3pt gunner but that's all he needs to be next to LeBron James.
Jrue Holliday and Elton Brand are starting in Philadelphia, while Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young are coming off the bench.
Finally, there is a God. In a move I've been clamoring for since last season, Nate Robinson is finally the starting PG of the New York Knicks. Nate replaces the offensively inept Chris Duhon, only one month after a return from month-long benching. Larry Hughes also returned to the Knick lineup and will take even more of Duhon's minutes.
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BIGGEST MOVERS
Kobe Bryant played very poorly in January, and his .544 TS% is tied with 1997 and 2002 as the worst of his career. While he worked on his post and mid-range game over the summer, this has only served to mask the decline in his ability to finish at the basket.
Brandon Jennnings had a hot start to his rookie season, shooting 42% from the field (49% from 3pt range) in November. The league has adjusted since then, and Jennings only shot shooting 37% and 32% from the field in December and January respectively.
Allen Iverson is averaging only 15/3/4 in a Sixer uniform, which is closer to "solid" than "star" production. The bigger issue is Iverson's steals have completely vanished! He is averaging only 0.7 steals compared to his 2.2 career average. When A.I. isn't playing the passing lanes and getting steals, he's not offering much in the way in defense.
Jarrett Jack unexpectedly took Jose Calderon's job in Toronto and the team has not looked back. Jack only shot 43% from the field in November but shot 50% and 54% in December and January respectively.
Nazr Mohammed has been everything that Tyson Chandler was supposed to be, which is why the Bobcats have thrived since Chandler's injury. Mohammed sports a 21.5 PER compared to Chandler's 9.7 PER.
Goran Dragic has played much better as a sophomore than he did as a rookie, and his game has become very similar to fellow Slovenian PG Beno Udrih.
Sonny Weems has shown himself to be a decent role player, and far better than the 56 rating 2K has him listed at.
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THE RATINGS
312/420 (.742) NBA players updated
(+/-) = Difference from 2K Sports roster
LW = Overall change from last week
Top Players Not Yet Edited
72 - Charlie Villanueva
71 - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
70 - Mike Miller
70 - Udonis Haslem
70 - Roger Mason
70 - Jason Maxiell
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POINT GUARDS (74/85)
94 – Chris Paul (-1) (INJURED) (LW: -1)
88 – Deron Williams (-2) (LW: -1)
86 – Rajon Rondo (0)
82 – Steve Nash (0)
82 – Baron Davis (0) (LW: +1)
82 – Tony Parker (-2) (LW: -2)
81 – Gilbert Arenas (-4) (SUSPENDED)
80 – Chauncey Billups (-4)
80 – Derrick Rose (-4) (LW: +2)
80 - Russell Westbrook (0) (LW: -1)
79 – Tyreke Evans (0)
79 – Devin Harris (-1) (LW: -1)
78 – Aaron Brooks (+1)
77 – Mo Williams (0) (INJURED)
77 – Jason Kidd (-3)
76 – Brandon Jennings (-1) LW: -3)
76 – Raymond Felton (+2) (LW: +2)
76 – Nate Robinson (-2) (LW: +3)
75 – Jameer Nelson (-2) (LW: -3)
75 – Rodney Stuckey (+1)
75 – Jonny Flynn (0)
75 – Ty Lawson (-1) (LW: -2)
75 – Kyle Lowry (+1)
74 – Andre Miller (-4) (LW: -1)
73 – Darren Collison (+3)
73 – Louis Williams (0)
73 – Luke Ridnour (0) (LW: +1)
73 – Will Bynum (+5) (LW: +1)
73 – T.J. Ford (0) (INACTIVE)
72 – Mario Chalmers (0) (INJURED)
71 – Stephen Curry (0) (LW: +1)
71 – Michael Conley (-2)
71 – Rafer Alston (-3)
71 – Jarrett Jack (+2) (LW: +3)
71 – Jose Calderon (-1) (LW: -1)
70 – Mike Bibby (-5) (LW: -1)
70 – Earl Boykins (+3)
70 – Keyon Dooling (-1)
69 – Earl Watson (+4) (LW: -1)
69 – Chris Duhon (0) (LW: -1)
69 – Goran Dragic (+1) (LW: +4)
69 – Beno Udrih (+6)
69 – Jrue Holiday (+2)
69 – Toney Douglas (+2)
68 – Randy Foye (-2)
68 – Jason Williams (+1)
68 – Jose Barea (-3)
68 – Ramon Sessions (-2)
68 – Carlos Arroyo (+3)
68 – Eric Maynor (0)
67 – George Hill (+6) (LW: +4)
67 – C.J. Watson (-1) (LW: -1)
67 – Jordan Farmar (+1)
67 – Jamaal Tinsley (0)
67 – D.J. Augustin (-2)
67 – Rodrigue Beaubois (0)
67 – Jeff Teague (+1)
66 – Derek Fisher (-5)
66 – Will Conroy (CAP)
64 – Steve Blake (-5) (LW: -3)
64 – Anthony Johnson (+3)
63 – A.J. Price (+8)
63 – Eddie House (+5)
63 – Sergio Rodriguez (+1)
62 – Daniel Gibson (+2)
62 – Patrick Mills (-6) (D-LEAGUE)
61 – Sundiata Gaines (CAP)
61 – Cedric Jackson (CAP) (TEN-DAY)
61 – Bobby Brown (+3)
61 – Lester Hudson (-1)
60 – Anthony Carter (+2)
60 – Acie Law (0)
57 – Lindsey Hunter (-4)
25 – Speedy Claxton (-36) (INACTIVE)
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SHOOTING GUARDS 52/74
94 – Dwyane Wade (-1)
93 - Kobe Bryant (-2) (LW: -2)
87 – Brandon Roy (-1)
85 – Joe Johnson (-4)
81 – Manu Ginobili (-2) (LW: -1)
80 – Monta Ellis (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Kevin Martin (+2)
78 – Vince Carter (-3) (LW: -1)
77 – Stephen Jackson (-4)
76 – Trevor Ariza (-3)
76 – Ray Allen (-2)
76 – Allen Iverson (-4) (LW: -2)
76 – Jason Terry (-2)
76 – James Harden (-2)
76 – Tracy McGrady (0) (INACTIVE)
75 – Ben Gordon (-3)
75 – O.J. Mayo (-4) (LW: +1)
75 – Delonte West (+1)
74 – Richard Hamilton (-4) (LW: -3)
74 – Eric Gordon (0)
74 – Wilson Chandler (+1) (LW: +1)
74 – Kirk Hinrich (-1) (LW: -2)
74 – Leandro Barbosa (0) (INJURED)
73 – Jason Richardson (+1)
73 – Jamal Crawford (-2)
73 – J.R. Smith (+3)
72 – Larry Hughes (0) (LW: -1)
70 – John Salmons (+1) (LW: -1)
70 – Flip Murray (+4)
70 – Jerryd Bayless (+2) (LW: -1)
70 – Rudy Fernandez (+2) LW: -1)
70 – Raja Bell (-1) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
69 – Ronnie Brewer (-1)
69 – Courtney Lee (+1)
69 – Shannon Brown (+1)
68 – Michael Redd (-7) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON) (LW: -4)
68 – Arron Afflalo (+3) (LW: +2)
68 – Willie Green (0)
67 – Charlie Bell (+1)
67 – Tony Allen (+1)
66 – Thabo Sefolosha (+1) (LW: -1)
66 – Terrence Williams (-5) (LW: -3)
66 – Sasha Vujacic (-1) (LW: -1)
66 – Marcus Thornton (+5)
65 – Devin Brown (+6)
65 – J.J. Redick (+10)
65 – Jerry Stackhouse (-2)
64 – Marco Belinelli (-1) (LW: -2)
63 – Wesley Matthews (+1) (LW: +1)
62 – Mardy Collins (+6)
59 – Morris Peterson (+4)
25 – Cuttino Mobley (CAP) (RETIRED)
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SMALL FORWARDS (62/83)
95 – LeBron James (-2)
87 – Carmelo Anthony (-4) (LW: -1)
86 – Kevin Durant (0) (LW: +1)
83 – Gerald Wallace (0) (LW: +1)
82 – Paul Pierce (-1)
81 – Andre Iguodala (-4) (LW: -1)
80 – Danny Granger (-2) (LW: -4)
78 – Caron Butler (-1) (LW: -1)
78 – Ron Artest (-2)
77 – Rudy Gay (-3)
76 – Josh Howard (-1)
75 – Luol Deng (-2)
75 – Andrei Kirilenko (+4)
75 – Tayshaun Prince (-1)
74 – Shawn Marion (-6)
74 – Dahntay Jones (+2)
73 – Richard Jefferson (-3)
73 – Shane Battier (-2)
73 – Grant Hill (-2)
72 – Hedo Turkoglu (-2) (LW: -3)
72 – Jared Dudley (0)
72 - Kelenna Azubuike (+1) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
71 – Mickael Pietrus (-1)
70 – Danilo Gallinari (+3) (LW: +1)
70 – Quentin Richardson (+1)
70 – Andres Nocioni (+1)
69 – Chris Douglas-Roberts (-3) (LW: -2)
69 – Matt Barnes (+3)
68 – Martell Webster (+2) (LW: -2)
68 – Marvin Williams (+2)
68 – Omri Casspi (+6)
68 – Al Thornton (0) (LW: +1)
68 – Marquis Daniels (+3) (INJURED)
67 – Carlos Delfino (+4)
67 – Mike Dunleavy (+5)
67 – James Posey (-4) (LW: -1)
67 – Luke Walton (+1)
67 – Joey Graham (-2)
66 – C.J. Miles (+8)
66 – Jonas Jerebko (+2)
66 – Anthony Morrow (+1) (INJURED)
66 – Maurice Evans (0)
65 – Rasual Butler (+4)
65 – Chase Budinger (-2)
65 – Nicolas Batum (+1)
65 – Joe Alexander (+5) (D-LEAGUE)
65 – Julian Wright (-1)
65 – Sonny Weems (+9) (LW: +7)
65 – Antoine Wright (+3)
65 – Sam Young (-1) (LW: +1)
65 – Jonathan Bender (+5)
64 – Kyle Korver (+3)
63 – Donte Greene (+6)
63 – Derrick Brown (-5)
61 - Peja Stojakovic (+1)
61 – Marcus Landry (CAP)
60 – Jason Kapono (+2)
60 – J.R. Giddens (+3) (D-LEAGUE)
60 – Bill Walker (+1)
59 – Devean George (-2)
56 – Adam Morrison (+2)
25 – Matt Harpring (-41) (RETIRED)
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POWER FORWARDS 62/90
87 – Chris Bosh (0)
86 – Pau Gasol (-1)
84 – Kevin Garnett (-3)
83 – Dirk Nowitzki (-1)
83 – Josh Smith (+1)
83 – Carlos Boozer (-2)
81 – Amare Stoudemire (-1)
78 – Zach Randolph (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Antawn Jamison (+1)
78 – LaMarcus Aldridge (+1) (LW: +1)
77 – Kevin Love (+3)
77 – Luis Scola (+4) (LW: +1)
77 – Carl Landry (+1)
77 – Blake Griffin (0) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
76 – Corey Maggette (-2) (LW: +1)
76 – Jeff Green (+1)
75 – David West (0)
75 – Kenyon Martin (0) (LW: -1)
75 – Marcus Camby (-2)
75 – Al Harrington (+1)
75 – Elton Brand (+1)
75 – Lamar Odom (-3)
75 – Tyrus Thomas (+4)
74 – Michael Beasley (-1)
74 – Paul Millsap (-1) (LW: -1)
73 – Rashard Lewis (+1)
73 – Jason Thompson (+1)
72 – Troy Murphy (0)
72 – Ersan Ilyasova (+9)
71 – Anderson Varejao (+3)
70 – Thaddeus Young (-1)
70 – Boris Diaw (0)
70 – Brandon Bass (+2)
70 - Louis Amundson (+5) (LW: +1)
69 – Travis Outlaw (0) (INJURED)
69 – Hakim Warrick (+4)
68 – Yi Jianlian (-1)
68 – Shelden Williams (+7)
68 – Jordan Hill (+6)
67 – Antonio McDyess (-2)
67 – Taj Gibson (+4)
67 – Renaldo Balkman (+1)
67 – Brandan Wright (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
66 – Jared Jeffries (+2)
66 – Glen Davis (+1)
65 – Ryan Anderson (+3)
65 – Darius Songaila (+3)
65 – Serge Ibaka (+4)
65 – Dante Cunningham (+3)
65 – Joe Smith (+1)
64 – J.J. Hickson (+3)
63 – Matt Bonner (+5)
63 - Josh Powell (-1)
62 – Eduardo Najera (-1)
62 – Tim Thomas (+2)
61 – Josh Boone (+3) (LW: -2)
59 – Vladimir Radmanovic (+5) (LW: +1)
59 – Malik Allen (+1)
59 – Taylor Griffin (-3) (D-LEAGUE)
54 – Brian Cook (0)
53 – Brian Scalabrine (+9)
48 – Steve Novak (+3)
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CENTERS 62/89
91 – Tim Duncan (+3) (LW: +1)
88 – Dwight Howard (0) (LW: -2)
85 – Yao Ming (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
81 – Greg Oden (+6) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
80 – David Lee (-1)
80 – Al Horford (+1) (LW: +1)
80 – Al Jefferson (-1) (LW: +1)
80 – Emeka Okafor (0) (LW: -1)
79 - Andrew Bogut (0)
79 – Brook Lopez (-2) (LW: +1)
78 – Nene (+3)
78 – Kendrick Perkins (+5)
77 – Andrew Bynum (+1)
77 – Chris Kaman (-1)
77 – Shaquille O’Neal (0)
77 – Jermaine O’Neal (+1) (LW: +2)
76 – Marc Gasol (-1)
75 – Andris Biedrins (+2) (LW: -1)
74 – Joakim Noah (+1)
74 – Roy Hibbert (+2) (LW: +2)
73 – Samuel Dalembert (+3) (LW: +1)
73 – Marreese Speights (+1)
73 – Rasheed Wallace (-1)
72 – Mehmet Okur (+1)
72 – Zydrunas Ilgauskas (+1)
72 – Anthony Randolph (+1) (INJURED)
72 – DeJuan Blair (+12)
72 – Marcin Gortat (+4)
71 – Andrea Bargnani (-2) (LW: +1)
71 – Ben Wallace (-3) (LW: +1)
71 – Erick Dampier (+10)
71 – Nazr Mohammed (+9) (LW: +3)
71 – Chris Andersen (+3)
69 – Brendan Haywood (-2)
69 – Joel Przybilla (+2) (INJURED, OUT FOR SEASON)
69 – Drew Gooden (+2)
68 – Chuck Hayes (-1)
68 - Ronny Turiaf (+1)
67 – Robin Lopez (+5)
67 – Spencer Hawes (+1)
67 – Tyson Chandler (+1) (INJURED)
67 – Zaza Pachulia (+2) (LW: -1)
67 – Kurt Thomas (-2) (LW: -1)
66 – Nenad Krstic (+6)
64 – Hasheem Thabeet (+7)
64 – Kwame Brown (0)
63 – Channing Frye (+1)
63 – Juwan Howard (+4) (LW: +3)
63 – Etan Thomas (+1)
63 – Darko Milicic (+4)
63 – Aaron Gray (0)
62 – Jeff Pendergraph (-1) (LW: +1)
61 – Johan Petro (+4)
60 – Solomon Jones (+6)
60 – DeAndre Jordan (+4)
60 – DJ Mbenga (+8)
60 – Eddy Curry (-5) (INJURED)
59 – Chris Hunter (-1)
58 – Adonal Foyle (+1) (INJURED)
52 – Jason Collins (0)
51 – Jarron Collins (+3)
51 – Randolph Morris (+1)
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Thoughts? Suggestions? Complaints? Leave a comment.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Mike Wang leaves EA and returns to 2K Sports
Read the full story here.
My brother recently purchased NBA Live 10, and from what I've seen, I just can't see myself ever playing the series again (my last straw was the dreadful 2002). 2K feels more like a real basketball game with each passing year, while Live 10 to me looks like Live 04 with better graphics.
2K did just fine without Wang this year, but I suppose the return of a motivated and dedicated employee can't hurt. Particularly since Wang is the one largely credited with bringing 2K to it's current state.
EA Sports' media blitz for "NBA Live 10" was led front and center by their acquisition of "NBA 2K8's" lead gameplay designer Mike Wang. But now, one year later, 2K Sports is back to announce Wang's shocking return to the company and to the "NBA 2K" franchise after only releasing one game for the competition.
"When I went over there (to EA), a lot of it was for personal reasons. I wanted to try something new, try a new challenge. But after being there and spending some time over at EA, it was clear that they do things a different way, and in a way it's just inefficient and just not the place to be to make the best games," said Wang in a recent conference call with ESPN to announce his return. "When I went there, I immediately missed VC (Visual Concepts), and it's just one of those things where I tried to stick it out as long as I could, but I wanted to come back. With some of the creative decisions over at EA, it just made it difficult to stay there. They just want to make a different game than I had a vision for.
Wang returns to his role as lead gameplay designer of the "NBA 2K" series, and the team is already hard at work on "NBA 2K11."
My brother recently purchased NBA Live 10, and from what I've seen, I just can't see myself ever playing the series again (my last straw was the dreadful 2002). 2K feels more like a real basketball game with each passing year, while Live 10 to me looks like Live 04 with better graphics.
2K did just fine without Wang this year, but I suppose the return of a motivated and dedicated employee can't hurt. Particularly since Wang is the one largely credited with bringing 2K to it's current state.
Monday, February 1, 2010
A history of NBA scoring and rule changes
For the intents and purposes of this article, scoring efficiency will be defined by "Points Per 100 Possessions" (hereafter referred to as "PPP"). This nifty statistic can be found at basketball-reference.com. The rule changes I list are courtesy of nba.com.
Our journey begins in 1974, as this is the year turnovers, blocks, steals, and off/def rebounds become tracked statistics. "Possessions" cannot be tracked without knowing how many were thrown away (differentiating between offensive and defensive rebounds also helps).
THE 1970s
1974: 97.7
1975: 97.7
1976: 98.3
1977: 99.5
1978: 100.9
1979: 103.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1977: This isn't a rule change, but is significant anyway. The NBA completed it's merger with the ABA, and expanded the league's talent pool. The league would soon crack a 1:1 point possession ratio and never look back.
1979: Clarification added to prohibit hand-checking through “rigid enforcement” of rule allowing a defensive player to retain contact with his opponent so long as he does not impede his opponent’s progress.
1979 was the beginning of the end for handchecking, and teams jumped 3 PPP with the decrease in physical play.
MOVING BACKWARD TO THE PAST
The NBA was not very efficient back in the 1970S, and this data doesn't lend much credence to the bloated numbers of the 50s and 60s.
Wilt Chamberlain famously averaged 50.4 points back in 1962, but took 39.5 FGA and 17.0 FTA per game to get there. We don't know how many turnovers he averaged, but chances are, it was A LOT (probably at least 5 per game). It is highly unlikely that Wilt scored at a rate higher than 1 PPP... and that's not exactly a ringing endorsement of his teammates or the rest of the league.
Because turnovers were not tracked, we can't know how many possessions the Philadelphia Warriors had. What we do know is Philly led the league in scoring (125.4) AND gave up the most points per game (122.7) in the league.
It is VERY safe to say Wilt's numbers were inflated by the pace his team played, and the pace his league played in. The Warriors averaged 111 FGA and 40 FTA per game. Today's Warriors (the league's highest tempo team) average only 85 FGA and 27 FTA, while also averaging 15.7 turnovers per game. Using that same turnover rate, the 62 Warriors likely averaged at least 20 turnovers per game. Between FGA and presumed turnovers, that's 131 possessions before we account for the FTs.
Off-hand, I don't know the exact value of FTs, however I'm fairly certain it would be something like 0.4 possessions per FTA (the reason for that, is to take into account "And 1" plays that would occur in the same possession as a made FG). Under those conditions, 40 FTA would translate to 16 possessions, which brings our grand total to an estimated 147 possessions per game.
125.4 points in estimated 147 possessions would be 85.3 points per 100 possessions (Points/Posessions x 100). That's not the entire league, just the Philadelphia Warriors. This list shows how inefficient the rest of the league was back then.
1962 FG%
Royals: .452
Warriors: .439
Hawks: .430
Lakers: .427
League Average: .426
Celtics: .423
Knicks: .418
Nationals: .418
Pistons: .415
Packers: .412
For comparison, the league average FG% today is .458 (and that's with players taking low percentage three-pointers). The Warriors and their estimated 0.85 PPP were actually one of the more efficient teams in the league. Wilt only shot 50% from the field, which seems tame by today's standards (and hardly unstoppable), but at a rate 80 points above average, that was as good as it got in 1962.
Effective Field Goal% is a measure that accounts for the value of the 3pt shot. The league average eFG% is .497 in today's NBA. Back in 1962 the 3pt shot did not exist - so the eFG% was .426 (a full 71 points worse than today's NBA).
Taking all of this into account, it is very clear that the NBA stars of the past would have had to work their tails off just to make it into today's NBA. The talent pool of the league was very low, athleticism was very low, heck, even the players were "low". Aside from Wilt, most centers in the 60s were 6'6" to 6'9" and considerably lighter (only 210-235 pounds). Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony would have played center 50 years ago. Minus their incredible athleticism and jumper range, of course.
THE 1980s
1980: 105.3
1981: 105.5
1982: 106.9
1983: 104.7
1984: 107.6
1985: 107.9
1986: 107.2
1987: 108.3
1988: 108.0
1989: 107.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1980: In perhaps the most important rules change league scoring has ever seen, the 3pt shot was adopted by the NBA.
The results are seen immediately - a jump to 105 PPP and the league never looked back.
1982: Zone defense rules clarified with new rules for Illegal Defensive Alignments. In other words, the death of zone defense.
With zone defenses severely limited, teams began to take the physical limitations of handchecking to the limit. While the Bad Boy Pistons were especially known for this, it did not stop teams from scoring at an efficient rate that was simply unheard of 10-20 years prior. League scoring hit an all-time high 108.3 PPP in 1987, just when the Bad Boys were starting their run.
THE 1990s
1990: 108.1
1991: 107.9
1992: 108.2
1993: 108.0
1994: 106.3
1995: 108.3
1996: 107.6
1997: 106.7
1998: 105.0
1999: 102.2
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1994: The 24-second clock is reset only when the basketball hits the rim. Previously, the clock would be reset if the ball hit either the rim or the backboard. This is a huge blow towards offenses, as it is much easier to force a 24 second violation with the change.
1995: There was A LOT going on in the 90s, particularly in 95.
A. The league shortened the three-point line (22 feet in the corners extending to 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key) to a uniform 22 feet around the basket.
B. Awarded three foul shots for any player fouled while attempting a three-point field goal.
C. Hand-checking eliminated from the end line in the backcourt to the opposite foul line.
D. "Clear path” rule changed to include contact in the backcourt. If a defender, grabs a player when the player has a clear path to the basket on a breakaway, two foul shots will be awarded.
The NBA had seen enough, and eliminated hand checking, while also shortening the 3pt line to a distance so short even players like Alonzo Mourning were shooting threes. Untalented shooters like Tim Legler thrived in this environment, while players like Steve Kerr and Dennis Scott had record three point seasons before the line was reverted back to it's original distance in 1998.
During the 80s, the league was dominated by offensively stacked Showtime Lakers and Celtics. When the Pistons came along in the late 80s, a team had never won by focusing on defense and rebounding the way they went on to do. Pat Riley saw what the Pistons were capable of, and he began to adopt the same physical style of defense when he came to New York. Even though the league changed the rules to eliminate hand checking, the "damage" was done. Teams realized that defense wins championships, and began to build great defensive teams. Scoring began to drop. While the league simultaneously instituted a shorter 3pt line, that only served to temporarily mask the problem. Scoring continued to decline, as defense spread like wildfire. The league hit a 21 year scoring low during the lockout season in 1999.
THE 2000s (first half)
2000: 104.1
2001: 103.0
2002: 104.5
2003: 103.6
2004: 102.9
The NBA's decline in scoring continued for 10 years, culminating in 2004. While 1999's scoring numbers could be attributed to out-of shape players and an abrupt training camp, the same cannot be said of the NBA in 2004. There were numerous rule changes in 2001 and 2002, but none of them served to curtail the continued emphasis on team defense. 2004 saw a powerhouse defensive team with no offensive stars DESTROY a team led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant (and flanked by "role-players" Gary Payton and Karl Malone).
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
2001: Five-second back to the basket rule implemented. This was a slight blow to any team that operated their offense in the post.
2002: The following rules were implemented to limit defenses.
A. No contact with either hands or forearms by defenders except in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may use his forearm only.
B. Neither the offensive player nor the defender will be allowed to dislodge or displace a player who has legally obtained a position. (They might as well have named this one "The Shaq Rule.")
C. Defender may not use his forearm, shoulder, hip or hand to reroute or hold-up an offensive player going from point A to Point B or one who is attempting to come around a legal screen set by another offensive player.
D. Slowing or impeding the progress of the screener by grabbing, clutching, holding “chucking” or “wrapping up” is prohibited.
2002: More defense rules.
A. Illegal defense guidelines will be eliminated in their entirety. (Hooray for the return of zone defenses!)
B. Defensive Three seconds rule implemented (No more camping in the paint).
C. The time that a team has to advance the ball past midcourt will be reduced from ten seconds to eight (To speed the game tempo up).
D. Brief contact initiated by a defensive player will be allowed if it does not impede the progress of the player with the ball.
THE 2000s (2nd half)
2005: 106.1
2006: 106.2
2007: 106.5
2008: 107.5
2009: 108.3
2010: 106.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
2005: New rules were introduced to curtail hand-checking, clarify blocking fouls and call defensive three seconds to open up the game.
No rule changes have been made since, as this had exactly the desired effect the NBA and it's fans wanted. In one fell swoop, scoring jumped by 4 PPP, and last season returned to the all-time high mark set in 1987.
The removal of illegal defense rules coupled with no hand checking has led teams to play a swarming, rotating based style of team defense where every player on the court is accountable. The Celtics brought this style to the limelight in 2008, and other teams have begun to adopt it as they did Pat Riley's schemes in the early 90s. Time will tell if the offense/defense scales will tip back to the defense.
In the meantime, let's take a moment and appreciate the current state of the NBA. Scoring has returned to it's 1980s levels, and the league has multiple superstars to contend with the 80s triumvirate of Jordan, Magic, and Bird. Defense is a beauty to watch now, as it consists of fluid player movement, rotations, and teamwork rather than just clutching and grabbing the closest man.
Our journey begins in 1974, as this is the year turnovers, blocks, steals, and off/def rebounds become tracked statistics. "Possessions" cannot be tracked without knowing how many were thrown away (differentiating between offensive and defensive rebounds also helps).
THE 1970s
1974: 97.7
1975: 97.7
1976: 98.3
1977: 99.5
1978: 100.9
1979: 103.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1977: This isn't a rule change, but is significant anyway. The NBA completed it's merger with the ABA, and expanded the league's talent pool. The league would soon crack a 1:1 point possession ratio and never look back.
1979: Clarification added to prohibit hand-checking through “rigid enforcement” of rule allowing a defensive player to retain contact with his opponent so long as he does not impede his opponent’s progress.
1979 was the beginning of the end for handchecking, and teams jumped 3 PPP with the decrease in physical play.
MOVING BACKWARD TO THE PAST
The NBA was not very efficient back in the 1970S, and this data doesn't lend much credence to the bloated numbers of the 50s and 60s.
Wilt Chamberlain famously averaged 50.4 points back in 1962, but took 39.5 FGA and 17.0 FTA per game to get there. We don't know how many turnovers he averaged, but chances are, it was A LOT (probably at least 5 per game). It is highly unlikely that Wilt scored at a rate higher than 1 PPP... and that's not exactly a ringing endorsement of his teammates or the rest of the league.
Because turnovers were not tracked, we can't know how many possessions the Philadelphia Warriors had. What we do know is Philly led the league in scoring (125.4) AND gave up the most points per game (122.7) in the league.
It is VERY safe to say Wilt's numbers were inflated by the pace his team played, and the pace his league played in. The Warriors averaged 111 FGA and 40 FTA per game. Today's Warriors (the league's highest tempo team) average only 85 FGA and 27 FTA, while also averaging 15.7 turnovers per game. Using that same turnover rate, the 62 Warriors likely averaged at least 20 turnovers per game. Between FGA and presumed turnovers, that's 131 possessions before we account for the FTs.
Off-hand, I don't know the exact value of FTs, however I'm fairly certain it would be something like 0.4 possessions per FTA (the reason for that, is to take into account "And 1" plays that would occur in the same possession as a made FG). Under those conditions, 40 FTA would translate to 16 possessions, which brings our grand total to an estimated 147 possessions per game.
125.4 points in estimated 147 possessions would be 85.3 points per 100 possessions (Points/Posessions x 100). That's not the entire league, just the Philadelphia Warriors. This list shows how inefficient the rest of the league was back then.
1962 FG%
Royals: .452
Warriors: .439
Hawks: .430
Lakers: .427
League Average: .426
Celtics: .423
Knicks: .418
Nationals: .418
Pistons: .415
Packers: .412
For comparison, the league average FG% today is .458 (and that's with players taking low percentage three-pointers). The Warriors and their estimated 0.85 PPP were actually one of the more efficient teams in the league. Wilt only shot 50% from the field, which seems tame by today's standards (and hardly unstoppable), but at a rate 80 points above average, that was as good as it got in 1962.
Effective Field Goal% is a measure that accounts for the value of the 3pt shot. The league average eFG% is .497 in today's NBA. Back in 1962 the 3pt shot did not exist - so the eFG% was .426 (a full 71 points worse than today's NBA).
Taking all of this into account, it is very clear that the NBA stars of the past would have had to work their tails off just to make it into today's NBA. The talent pool of the league was very low, athleticism was very low, heck, even the players were "low". Aside from Wilt, most centers in the 60s were 6'6" to 6'9" and considerably lighter (only 210-235 pounds). Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony would have played center 50 years ago. Minus their incredible athleticism and jumper range, of course.
THE 1980s
1980: 105.3
1981: 105.5
1982: 106.9
1983: 104.7
1984: 107.6
1985: 107.9
1986: 107.2
1987: 108.3
1988: 108.0
1989: 107.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1980: In perhaps the most important rules change league scoring has ever seen, the 3pt shot was adopted by the NBA.
The results are seen immediately - a jump to 105 PPP and the league never looked back.
1982: Zone defense rules clarified with new rules for Illegal Defensive Alignments. In other words, the death of zone defense.
With zone defenses severely limited, teams began to take the physical limitations of handchecking to the limit. While the Bad Boy Pistons were especially known for this, it did not stop teams from scoring at an efficient rate that was simply unheard of 10-20 years prior. League scoring hit an all-time high 108.3 PPP in 1987, just when the Bad Boys were starting their run.
THE 1990s
1990: 108.1
1991: 107.9
1992: 108.2
1993: 108.0
1994: 106.3
1995: 108.3
1996: 107.6
1997: 106.7
1998: 105.0
1999: 102.2
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
1994: The 24-second clock is reset only when the basketball hits the rim. Previously, the clock would be reset if the ball hit either the rim or the backboard. This is a huge blow towards offenses, as it is much easier to force a 24 second violation with the change.
1995: There was A LOT going on in the 90s, particularly in 95.
A. The league shortened the three-point line (22 feet in the corners extending to 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key) to a uniform 22 feet around the basket.
B. Awarded three foul shots for any player fouled while attempting a three-point field goal.
C. Hand-checking eliminated from the end line in the backcourt to the opposite foul line.
D. "Clear path” rule changed to include contact in the backcourt. If a defender, grabs a player when the player has a clear path to the basket on a breakaway, two foul shots will be awarded.
The NBA had seen enough, and eliminated hand checking, while also shortening the 3pt line to a distance so short even players like Alonzo Mourning were shooting threes. Untalented shooters like Tim Legler thrived in this environment, while players like Steve Kerr and Dennis Scott had record three point seasons before the line was reverted back to it's original distance in 1998.
During the 80s, the league was dominated by offensively stacked Showtime Lakers and Celtics. When the Pistons came along in the late 80s, a team had never won by focusing on defense and rebounding the way they went on to do. Pat Riley saw what the Pistons were capable of, and he began to adopt the same physical style of defense when he came to New York. Even though the league changed the rules to eliminate hand checking, the "damage" was done. Teams realized that defense wins championships, and began to build great defensive teams. Scoring began to drop. While the league simultaneously instituted a shorter 3pt line, that only served to temporarily mask the problem. Scoring continued to decline, as defense spread like wildfire. The league hit a 21 year scoring low during the lockout season in 1999.
THE 2000s (first half)
2000: 104.1
2001: 103.0
2002: 104.5
2003: 103.6
2004: 102.9
The NBA's decline in scoring continued for 10 years, culminating in 2004. While 1999's scoring numbers could be attributed to out-of shape players and an abrupt training camp, the same cannot be said of the NBA in 2004. There were numerous rule changes in 2001 and 2002, but none of them served to curtail the continued emphasis on team defense. 2004 saw a powerhouse defensive team with no offensive stars DESTROY a team led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant (and flanked by "role-players" Gary Payton and Karl Malone).
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
2001: Five-second back to the basket rule implemented. This was a slight blow to any team that operated their offense in the post.
2002: The following rules were implemented to limit defenses.
A. No contact with either hands or forearms by defenders except in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may use his forearm only.
B. Neither the offensive player nor the defender will be allowed to dislodge or displace a player who has legally obtained a position. (They might as well have named this one "The Shaq Rule.")
C. Defender may not use his forearm, shoulder, hip or hand to reroute or hold-up an offensive player going from point A to Point B or one who is attempting to come around a legal screen set by another offensive player.
D. Slowing or impeding the progress of the screener by grabbing, clutching, holding “chucking” or “wrapping up” is prohibited.
2002: More defense rules.
A. Illegal defense guidelines will be eliminated in their entirety. (Hooray for the return of zone defenses!)
B. Defensive Three seconds rule implemented (No more camping in the paint).
C. The time that a team has to advance the ball past midcourt will be reduced from ten seconds to eight (To speed the game tempo up).
D. Brief contact initiated by a defensive player will be allowed if it does not impede the progress of the player with the ball.
THE 2000s (2nd half)
2005: 106.1
2006: 106.2
2007: 106.5
2008: 107.5
2009: 108.3
2010: 106.8
SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES
2005: New rules were introduced to curtail hand-checking, clarify blocking fouls and call defensive three seconds to open up the game.
No rule changes have been made since, as this had exactly the desired effect the NBA and it's fans wanted. In one fell swoop, scoring jumped by 4 PPP, and last season returned to the all-time high mark set in 1987.
The removal of illegal defense rules coupled with no hand checking has led teams to play a swarming, rotating based style of team defense where every player on the court is accountable. The Celtics brought this style to the limelight in 2008, and other teams have begun to adopt it as they did Pat Riley's schemes in the early 90s. Time will tell if the offense/defense scales will tip back to the defense.
In the meantime, let's take a moment and appreciate the current state of the NBA. Scoring has returned to it's 1980s levels, and the league has multiple superstars to contend with the 80s triumvirate of Jordan, Magic, and Bird. Defense is a beauty to watch now, as it consists of fluid player movement, rotations, and teamwork rather than just clutching and grabbing the closest man.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Predicting the 2010 NBA Playoffs
Equipped with my ratings and NBA 2K's sim engine, I ran a series of playoff simulations using current NBA standings.
I ran 10 playoff simulations using my roster. Here are the results for each round.
FIRST ROUND WEST
Lakers 9-1
Thunder 1-9
Blazers 4-6
Spurs 6-4
Mavericks 5-5
Suns 5-5
Nuggets 7-3
Jazz 3-7
Lakers dominated, but the rest of the series were competitive. Blazers were the only higher seeded team to lose more often (given their depleted lineup, not a surprise).
FIRST ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 8-2
Bulls 2-8
Magic 9-1
Bobcats 1-9
Hawks 8-2
Heat 2-8
Celtics 9-1
Raptors 1-9
There won't be much drama in the eastern conference come April. The top 4 teams are near locks to advance as the competition isn't close.
SECOND ROUND WEST
Lakers 9-0
Thunder 0-1
Blazers 0-4
Spurs 1-5
Mavericks 1-4
Suns 1-4
Nuggets 5-2
Jazz 3-0
The Blazers and Spurs have no chance against the Lakers (Spurs' one win coming to the Thunder).
Interestingly, each time Utah advanced, they moved onto the conference Finals. The 2/7 bracket winner beat out the 3/6 bracket 8/10 times.
SECOND ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 7-1
Bulls 0-2
Magic 3-6
Bobcats 0-1
Hawks 3-5
Heat 0-2
Celtics 7-2
Raptors 0-1
While not as dominant as LA, Cleveland owned the Magic 6-1 in round 2. They look to be a lock for the Conference Finals, as this season's Magic team is not as good as it's 09 predecessor.
CONFERENCE WEST
Lakers 8-1
Spurs 0-1
Mavericks 0-1
Suns 0-1
Nuggets 2-3
Jazz 0-3
Lakers dominated the field, as the Nuggets were the only team able to beat them.
CONFREENCE EAST
Cavaliers 7-0
Magic 1-2
Hawks 0-3
Celtics 2-5
The Cavs could not be stopped whenever they made it this far. That's probably how it will work out in real life too.
FINALS
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-3)
Lakers over Magic (4-3)
Lakers over Celtics (4-3)
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-2)
Cavaliers over Lakers (4-3)
Cavaliers over Lakers (4-3)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-2)
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-1)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-2)
Celtics over Lakers (4-2)
Lakers were 5-3 in the Finals
Cavaliers were 4-3 in the Finals
Celtics were 1-1
Nuggets were 0-2
Magic were 0-1
Lakers were 3-2 against the Cavaliers, 1-1 against the Celtics, 1-0 against the Magic
Cavaliers were 2-3 against the Lakers, 2-0 agsinst the Nuggets
According to my simulations, it's going to be Kobe and the Lakers against LeBron and the Cavaliers come June! The Lakers have the edge here, but in the regular season they were just swept by the Cavaliers (of course, Utah did this to Chicago and it didn't exactly help). Either way, we should be in store for a very memorable NBA Finals.
But wait, there's more!
Here are the results I got running 10 simulations with 2K's roster.
FIRST ROUND WEST
Lakers 3-7
Thunder 7-3
Blazers 3-7
Spurs 7-3
Mavericks 7-3
Suns 3-7
Nuggets 4-6
Jazz 6-4
The Lakers got owned by the 8th seed Thunder. The Nuggets got owned by the 7th seed Jazz. This is as bad as a start can get for 2K.
FIRST ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 9-1
Bulls 1-9
Magic 9-1
Bobcats 1-9
Hawks 6-4
Heat 4-6
Celtics 6-4
Raptors 4-6
The Cavs and Magic still dominated their matchup, but Hawks/Heat and Celtics/Raptors were much closer than they were in my simulations.
SECOND ROUND WEST
Lakers 2-1
Thunder 3-4
Blazers 2-2
Spurs 3-3
Mavericks 4-3
Suns 2-1
Nuggets 2-2
Jazz 3-3
That's right, the Lakers got through the 2nd round 2/10 times using 2K's rosters.
SECOND ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 8-1
Bulls 0-1
Magic 2-7
Bobcats 0-1
Hawks 5-1
Heat 2-2
Celtics 2-4
Raptors 1-3
The Cavs were just as was dominant as my roster, but the Hawks put the wrecking ball on the Celtics in 2K's roster.
CONFERENCE WEST
Lakers 2-0
Thunder 2-1
Blazers 0-1
Spurs 2-2
Mavericks 1-3
Suns 1-1
Nuggets 1-1
Jazz 1-1
There were 7 different NBA Finalists using 2K's roster. Apparently they don't think the Lakers will run away with it come playoff time.
CONFERENCE EAST
Cavaliers 6-2
Magic 0-2
Hawks 2-3
Heat 1-1
Celtics 0-2
Raptors 1-0
The Cavs actually lost to the Raptors and Heat in the Conference Finals. They still went more often than any other team, but I do think it's funny that the Heat and Raptors made it while the Magic and Celtics never did.
FINALS
Suns over Cavaliers (4-3)
Mavericks over Cavaliers (4-1)
Hawks over Jazz (4-2)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-0)
Lakers over Raptors (4-0)
Spurs over Cavaliers (4-2)
Cavaliers over Thunder (4-3)
Cavaliers over Spurs (4-1)
Thunder over Heat (4-3)
Lakers over Hawks (4-3)
Cavaliers were 3-3 in the NBA Finals and never once faced the Lakers.
Lakers were 2-0 in the NBA Finals (yet they were apparently no match for the Thunder)
Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, Thunder, and Hawks all won championships. Celtics, Magic, and Nuggets never even made it to the Finals using 2K's roster.
The differences between my roster and 2K's could not be any bigger. The only thing that would have made it worse for 2K is if the Bulls smacked the Cavs up.
I ran 10 playoff simulations using my roster. Here are the results for each round.
FIRST ROUND WEST
Lakers 9-1
Thunder 1-9
Blazers 4-6
Spurs 6-4
Mavericks 5-5
Suns 5-5
Nuggets 7-3
Jazz 3-7
Lakers dominated, but the rest of the series were competitive. Blazers were the only higher seeded team to lose more often (given their depleted lineup, not a surprise).
FIRST ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 8-2
Bulls 2-8
Magic 9-1
Bobcats 1-9
Hawks 8-2
Heat 2-8
Celtics 9-1
Raptors 1-9
There won't be much drama in the eastern conference come April. The top 4 teams are near locks to advance as the competition isn't close.
SECOND ROUND WEST
Lakers 9-0
Thunder 0-1
Blazers 0-4
Spurs 1-5
Mavericks 1-4
Suns 1-4
Nuggets 5-2
Jazz 3-0
The Blazers and Spurs have no chance against the Lakers (Spurs' one win coming to the Thunder).
Interestingly, each time Utah advanced, they moved onto the conference Finals. The 2/7 bracket winner beat out the 3/6 bracket 8/10 times.
SECOND ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 7-1
Bulls 0-2
Magic 3-6
Bobcats 0-1
Hawks 3-5
Heat 0-2
Celtics 7-2
Raptors 0-1
While not as dominant as LA, Cleveland owned the Magic 6-1 in round 2. They look to be a lock for the Conference Finals, as this season's Magic team is not as good as it's 09 predecessor.
CONFERENCE WEST
Lakers 8-1
Spurs 0-1
Mavericks 0-1
Suns 0-1
Nuggets 2-3
Jazz 0-3
Lakers dominated the field, as the Nuggets were the only team able to beat them.
CONFREENCE EAST
Cavaliers 7-0
Magic 1-2
Hawks 0-3
Celtics 2-5
The Cavs could not be stopped whenever they made it this far. That's probably how it will work out in real life too.
FINALS
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-3)
Lakers over Magic (4-3)
Lakers over Celtics (4-3)
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-2)
Cavaliers over Lakers (4-3)
Cavaliers over Lakers (4-3)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-2)
Lakers over Cavaliers (4-1)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-2)
Celtics over Lakers (4-2)
Lakers were 5-3 in the Finals
Cavaliers were 4-3 in the Finals
Celtics were 1-1
Nuggets were 0-2
Magic were 0-1
Lakers were 3-2 against the Cavaliers, 1-1 against the Celtics, 1-0 against the Magic
Cavaliers were 2-3 against the Lakers, 2-0 agsinst the Nuggets
According to my simulations, it's going to be Kobe and the Lakers against LeBron and the Cavaliers come June! The Lakers have the edge here, but in the regular season they were just swept by the Cavaliers (of course, Utah did this to Chicago and it didn't exactly help). Either way, we should be in store for a very memorable NBA Finals.
But wait, there's more!
Here are the results I got running 10 simulations with 2K's roster.
FIRST ROUND WEST
Lakers 3-7
Thunder 7-3
Blazers 3-7
Spurs 7-3
Mavericks 7-3
Suns 3-7
Nuggets 4-6
Jazz 6-4
The Lakers got owned by the 8th seed Thunder. The Nuggets got owned by the 7th seed Jazz. This is as bad as a start can get for 2K.
FIRST ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 9-1
Bulls 1-9
Magic 9-1
Bobcats 1-9
Hawks 6-4
Heat 4-6
Celtics 6-4
Raptors 4-6
The Cavs and Magic still dominated their matchup, but Hawks/Heat and Celtics/Raptors were much closer than they were in my simulations.
SECOND ROUND WEST
Lakers 2-1
Thunder 3-4
Blazers 2-2
Spurs 3-3
Mavericks 4-3
Suns 2-1
Nuggets 2-2
Jazz 3-3
That's right, the Lakers got through the 2nd round 2/10 times using 2K's rosters.
SECOND ROUND EAST
Cavaliers 8-1
Bulls 0-1
Magic 2-7
Bobcats 0-1
Hawks 5-1
Heat 2-2
Celtics 2-4
Raptors 1-3
The Cavs were just as was dominant as my roster, but the Hawks put the wrecking ball on the Celtics in 2K's roster.
CONFERENCE WEST
Lakers 2-0
Thunder 2-1
Blazers 0-1
Spurs 2-2
Mavericks 1-3
Suns 1-1
Nuggets 1-1
Jazz 1-1
There were 7 different NBA Finalists using 2K's roster. Apparently they don't think the Lakers will run away with it come playoff time.
CONFERENCE EAST
Cavaliers 6-2
Magic 0-2
Hawks 2-3
Heat 1-1
Celtics 0-2
Raptors 1-0
The Cavs actually lost to the Raptors and Heat in the Conference Finals. They still went more often than any other team, but I do think it's funny that the Heat and Raptors made it while the Magic and Celtics never did.
FINALS
Suns over Cavaliers (4-3)
Mavericks over Cavaliers (4-1)
Hawks over Jazz (4-2)
Cavaliers over Nuggets (4-0)
Lakers over Raptors (4-0)
Spurs over Cavaliers (4-2)
Cavaliers over Thunder (4-3)
Cavaliers over Spurs (4-1)
Thunder over Heat (4-3)
Lakers over Hawks (4-3)
Cavaliers were 3-3 in the NBA Finals and never once faced the Lakers.
Lakers were 2-0 in the NBA Finals (yet they were apparently no match for the Thunder)
Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, Thunder, and Hawks all won championships. Celtics, Magic, and Nuggets never even made it to the Finals using 2K's roster.
The differences between my roster and 2K's could not be any bigger. The only thing that would have made it worse for 2K is if the Bulls smacked the Cavs up.
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