Official NBA 2K14 Player Ratings

NBA 2K14's ratings have finally been released.  Leave a comment and let us know which players they got wrong or right.

Difference from player's NBA 2K13's player rating in parenthsize.
PER provided to give context to which players are mis-rated (you'll know them when you see them)

NBA 2K14 Ratings Video on Operation Sports - credit Steve Noah

526 Players Total

POINT GUARD (105)
93 - Chris Paul (-1) - 26.4 PER (All-NBA 1st Team)
92 - Derrick Rose (0) - 23.0 PER (2012)
91 - Russell Westbrook (+1) - 23.9 PER (All-NBA 2nd team)
90 - Rajon Rondo (+1) - 18.1 PER
89 - Kyrie Irving (0) - 21.4 PER (All-Star)
88 - Stephen Curry (0) - 21.3 PER
88 - Deron Williams (0) - 20.3 PER
88 - Jrue Holiday (0) - 16.7 PER (All-Star)
86 - Tony Parker (-1) - 23.0 PER (All-NBA 2nd Team)
85 - John Wall (0) - 20.8 PER
85 - Ty Lawson (0) - 17.9 PER
84 - Damian Lillard (+2) - 16.4 PER
83 - Kemba Walker (0) - 18.8 PER
83 - Mike Conley (0) - 18.3 PER
83 - Kyle Lowry (+1) - 17.5 PER
83 - Brandon Jennings (0) - 16.1 PER
82 - Eric Bledsoe (+1) - 17.5 PER
81 - Nate Robinson (-2) - 17.4 PER
81 - Chauncey Billups (0) - 15.0 PER
80 - Steve Nash (0) - 16.0 PER
79 - Darren Collison (+3) - 16.3 PER
79 - Jarrett Jack (0) - 15.9 PER
79 - Raymond Felton (0) - 15.2 PER
78 - Goran Dragic (0) - 17.5 PER
78 - Ricky Rubio (0) - 16.2 PER
78 - Mo Williams (0) - 14.4 PER
77 - Aaron Brooks (+1) - 11.8 PER
76 - Jose Calderon (+1) - 18.8 PER
76 - Andre Miller (+1) - 15.7 PER
76 - Jeremy Lin (+1) - 14.9 PER
76 - Devin Harris (0) - 14.6 PER
76 - Jameer Nelson (0) - 14.4 PER
75 - Isaiah Thomas (0) - 17.5 PER
75 - Jeff Teague (0) - 16.8 PER
75 - George Hill (0) - 16.6 PER
75 - Mario Chalmers (0) - 13.3 PER
74 - Ramon Sessions (0) - 17.7 PER
74 - Kirk Hinrich (+1) - 10.8 PER
73 - Greivis Vasquez (0) - 16.3 PER
73 - Patrick Beverley (0) - 15.4 PER
73 - Toney Douglas (+1) - 13.4 PER
73 - Brandon Knight (-3) - 12.0 PER (Position change from SG)
73 - Trey Burke (ROOKIE)
73 - Delonte West (-3) - DNP
72 - D.J. Augustin (0) - 11.0 PER
72 - Rodrigue Beaubois (-1) - 10.6 PER
71 - Will Bynum (0) - 16.6 PER
71 - Jerryd Bayless (+1) - 13.5 PER
71 - Ishmael Smith (0) - 8.5 PER
70 - Luke Ridnour (-1) - 13.0 PER
70 - Reggie Jackson (+3) - 14.2 PER
70 - Leandro Barbosa (-1) - 13.5 PER
70 - Shane Larkin (ROOKIE)
69 - Jordan Farmar (NEW) - 17.4 PER (2012)
69 - Beno Udrih (+1) - 14.2 PER
69 - J.J. Barea (0) - 14.1 PER
69 - Patrick Mills (0) - 14.1 PER
69 - C.J. Watson (+1) - 13.9 PER
69 - Steve Blake (+1) - 11.7 PER
69 - Jamaal Tinsley (0) - 10.6 PER
69 - Derek Fisher (0) - 7.7 PER
69 - Isaiah Canaan (ROOKIE)
68 - Keyon Dooling (0) - 11.2 PER
68 - Sebastian Telfair (0) - 10.9 PER
68 - Chris Duhon (-1) - 8.0 PER
68 - TyShawn Taylor (+1) - 6.2 PER
68 - Dennis Schroeder (ROOKIE)
68 - Nate Wolters (ROOKIE)
68 - Antonio Daniels (+2) - DNP (RETIRED)
67 - Eric Maynor (0) - 9.3 PER
67 - Diante Garrett (NEW) - 9.0 PER
67 - Earl Watson (0) - 7.7 PER
67 - Norris Cole (-6) - 7.0 PER
66 - Jimmer Fredette (0) - 14.6 PER
66 - Pablo Prigioni (+3) - 13.0 PER
66 - Darius Morris (+1) - 8.1 PER
66 - Marquis Teague (-2) - 6.0 PER
66 - Ray McCallum (ROOKIE)
66 - Peyton Silva (ROOKIE)
66 - Armon Johnson (+1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
65 - Shelvin Mack (0) - 11.3 PER
65 - Nando De Colo (+3) - 11.1 PER
65 - Jannero Pargo (+1) - 10.3 PER
65 - Mike James (0) - 9.5 PER
65 - Kendall Marshall (0) - 7.8 PER
65 - Sherron Collins (+1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
64 - Josh Akognon (NEW) - 15.3 PER
64 - Cory Joseph (+2) - 13.5 PER
64 - John Lucas (+1) - 12.8 PER
64 - Donald Sloan (+1) - 9.6 PER
64 - Ronnie Price (-1) - 6.8 PER
63 - Maalik Wayns (0) - 5.0 PER
63 - Nemanja Nedovic (ROOKIE)
62 - Shaun Livingston (0) - 13.0 PER
62 - E'Twaun Moore (0) - 10.7 PER
61 - Brian Roberts (+1) - 14.6 PER
61 - Ben Uzoh (+2) - DNP
61 - Jeremy Pargo (+1) - 10.4 PER (OVERSEAS)
61 - Charles Jenkins (-1) - 7.5 PER (OVERSEAS)
61 - Michael Carter-Williams (ROOKIE)
57 - Dominique Jones (0) - 12.4 PER
57 - Chris Quinn (+1) - 1.7 PER
56 - A.J. Price (+1) - 12.4 PER
53 - Royal Ivey (0) - 8.1 PER
53 - Orien Greene (0) - DNP

In 2K Sports point guard formula, they typically place too much value on defense and not enough value on scoring ability, which is how players like Rondo and Jrue Holiday can rate so highly above Tony Parker who was CLEARLY a top three PG last season.

SHOOTING GUARD (107)
93 - Kobe Bryant (-2) - 23.0 PER (All-NBA 1st Team)
91 - Dwyane Wade (0) - 24.0 PER (All-NBA 3rd Team)
88 - James Harden (0) - 23.0 PER (All-NBA 3rd Team)
87 - Paul George (+4) - 16.8 PER (All-NBA 3rd Team)
86 - Manu Ginobili (0) - 19.0 PER
85 - Monta Ellis (+2) - 16.2 PER
84 - J.R. Smith (+2) - 17.6 PER
83 - Eric Gordon (-1) - 15.4 PER
82 - Joe Johnson (-1) - 14.1 PER
82 - O.J. Mayo (+1) - 13.9 PER
82 - Iman Shumpert (0) - 11.7 PER
81 - Kevin Martin (+1) - 16.0 PER
80 - Jamal Crawford (+1) - 16.8 PER
79 - Ray Allen (0) - 14.7 PER
79 - Louis Williams (+1) - 15.9 PER
78 - Vince Carter (-2) - 17.8 PER
78 - Rodney Stuckey (0) - 13.0 PER
78 - Avery Bradley (-1) - 8.8 PER
77 - DeMar DeRozan (0) - 14.7 PER
77 - Wesley Matthews (0) - 14.1 PER
77 - Jason Terry (0) - 12.8 PER
76 - Jimmy Butler (0) - 15.2 PER (Position change from SF)
76 - Jordan Crawford (+1) - 13.8 PER
76 - Dion Waiters (-1) - 13.7 PER
76 - Arron Afflalo (-3) - 13.0 PER
76 - Ben Gordon (-1) - 12.7 PER
76 - Victor Olapido (ROOKIE)
75 - Marcus Thornton (0) - 16.3 PER
75 - Bradley Beal (0) - 13.6 PER
75 - Tony Allen (0) - 13.2 PER
74 - Gerald Henderson (+2) - 16.4 PER
74 - J.J. Redick (+2) - 14.7 PER
74 - Shannon Brown (0) - 13.1 PER
74 - Lance Stephenson (-1) - 11.8 PER
74 - Courtney Lee (0) - 11.7 PER
74 - Richard Hamilton (+1) - 10.6 PER
73 - Danny Green (+1) - 14.1 PER
73 - Klay Thompson (-2) - 12.7 PER
73 - Jason Richardson (-1) - 12.6 PER
73 - Ronnie Brewer (+1) - 10.0 PER
72 - Wayne Ellington (+8) - 13.9 PER
72 - Nick Young (+1) - 13.3 PER
72 - Randy Foye (0) - 11.7 PER
72 - Alec Burks (+1) - 11.5 PER
72 - Tracy McGrady (0) - DNP (RETIRED)
72 - Ben McLemore (ROOKIE)
72 - C.J. McCollum (ROOKIE)
71 - MarShon Brooks (-1) - 13.5 PER
71 - Brandon Rush (0) - 11.9 PER
71 - Orlando Johnson (+2) - 11.4 PER
71 - Jeremy Lamb (0) - 11.2 PER
71 - Austin Rivers (0) - 5.9 PER
71 - Raja Bell (0) - DNP
71 - Kelenna Azubuike (0) - DNP
70 - Mike Miller (-1) - 13.5 PER
70 - Thabo Sefolosha (+1) - 12.8 PER
70 - Alan Anderson (0) - 12.6 PER (Position change from SF)
70 - Kent Bazemore (+1) - 11.3 PER
70 - Alexey Shved (-1) - 11.0 PER
70 - Terrence Ross (0) - 10.4 PER
70 - DeShawn Stevenson (0) - 8.1 PER
70 - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ROOKIE)
69 - Willie Green (+1) - 11.8 PER
69 - Jodie Meeks (0) - 11.4 PER
69 - Gerald Green (0) - 9.9 PER (Position change from SF)
69 - James White (0) - 9.1 PER (OVERSEAS)
69 - Roger Mason (+1) - 10.0 PER
69 - Xavier Henry (+2) - 7.6 PER
69 - Darius Johnson-Odom (+1) neg6.7 PER
69 - Tim Hardaway Jr (ROOKIE)
69 - Ricky Ledo (ROOKIE)
68 - Tony Wroten (+2) - 9.3 PER
68 - Keith Bogans (-2) - 6.7 PER
68 - Archie Goodwin (ROOKIE)
68 - Carrick Felix (ROOKIE)
67 - Jared Cunningham (+1) - 14.8 PER
67 - James Anderson (+2) - 13.9 PER
67 - Cory Higgins (+1) - 12.6 PER
67 - Gary Neal (0) - 11.5 PER
67 - Wesley Johnson (+1) - 10.3 PER
67 - Malcolm Lee (+2) - 9.8 PER
66 - Elliot Williams (0) - 18.8 PER (2012)
66 - Evan Fournier (0) - 13.8 PER
66 - Glen Rice (ROOKIE)
65 - Anthony Morrow (-1) - 12.0 PER
65 - Marco Belinelli (0) - 10.4 PER
65 - Garrett Temple (+1) - 8.8 PER
65 - Daniel Gibson (0) - 7.7 PER
65 - Josh Selby (0) - 0.1 PER (OVERSEAS)
65 - Jamaal Franklin (ROOKIE)
65 - Antoine Wright (+1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
65 - Bill Walker (0) - DNP
64 - Reggie Bullock (ROOKIE)
64 - Allan Crabbe (ROOKIE)
63 - DeQuan Jones (+1) - 8.4 PER
63 - Daequan Cook (0) - 5.8 PER
63 - Travis Leslie (0) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
62 - John Jenkins (+1) - 13.0 PER
62 - DeAndre Liggins (+4) - 9.4 PER
62 - Doron Lamb (-1) - 4.8 PER
62 - Quinton Ross (0) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
61 - Justin Holiday (NEW) - 7.6 PER
60 - Kim English (+1) - 7.9 PER (OVERSEAS)
60 - Kyle Weaver (+1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
58 - Will Barton (-3) - 9.1 PER
57 - Matt Carroll (-1) - 2.9 PER
57 - Andy Rautins (0) - DNP

Shooting guard ratings are basically all over the place.  2K puts a high emphasis on ball-handling in order to pump up the values of superstar SGs.  What that creates is an uneven playing field among role players, where teams value players who bring defense and 3pt shooting like Courtney Lee, Danny Green, and Thabo Sefolosha over inefficient volume scorers like Jordan Crawford, Shannon Brown, or ugh, Austin Rivers.

SMALL FORWARD (106)
99 - LeBron James (0) - 31.6 PER (All-NBA 1st Team)
94 - Kevin Durant (-1) - 28.3 PER (All-NBA 1st Team)
91 - Carmelo Anthony (-2) - 24.8 PER (All-NBA 2nd Team)
86 - Josh Smith (-1) - 17.7 PER (Position change from PF)
86 - Rudy Gay (0) - 15.6 PER
85 - Andre Iguodala (+1) - 15.2 PER (Position change from SG)
84 - Paul Pierce (+2) - 19.1 PER
82 - Tyreke Evans (+2) - 18.1 PER (Position change from SG)
82 - Kawhi Leonard (+2) - 16.4 PER
81 - Wilson Chandler (+1) - 16.6 PER
80 - Danny Granger (-3) - 4.0 PER
80 - Caron Buter (-1) - 12.4 PER
79 - Shawn Marion (0) - 18.0 PER
79 - Luol Deng (-4) - 15.1 PER
79 - Jeff Green (0) - 15.0 PER
79 - Stephen Jackson (+1) - 8.0 PER
78 - Nicolas Batum (-1) - 15.7 PER
78 - Trevor Ariza (+2) - 14.0 PER
78 - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (+1) - 14.0 PER
77 - Andrei Kirilenko (-1) - 17.6 PER
76 - Danilo Gallinari (-1) - 16.7 PER
76 - Chandler Parsons (-2) - 15.3 PER
75 - Tobias Harris (0) - 16.0 PER
75 - Matt Barnes (+2) - 15.5 PER
75 - Harrison Barnes (0) - 13.8 PER
75 - Evan Turner (-7) - 12.1 PER
75 - Michael Beasley (-1) - 10.8 PER
74 - Corey Brewer (+1) - 14.7 PER (Position change from SG)
74 - Metta World Peace (+3) - 12.5 PER
74 - Gerald Wallace (0) - 11.6 PER
74 - Tayshaun Prince (-2) - 11.5 PER
74 - Landry Fields (+1) - 10.3 PER
74 - Corey Maggette (0) - 7.9 PER
74 - Otto Porter (ROOKIE)
73 - Al-Farouq Aminu (+1) - 13.7 PER
73 - Terrence Williams (0) - 12.3 PER
73 - Dahntay Jones (0) - 6.4 PER
72 - Jared Dudley (+1) - 14.9 PER (Position change from SG)
72 - Dorell Wright (0) - 16.0 PER
72 - John Salmons (0) - 10.2 PER
72 - Richard Jefferson (+1) - 10.3 PER
72 - Mickael Pietrus (0) - 6.0 PER
72 - Hedo Turkoglu (0) - 3.4 PER
71 - C.J. Miles (+3) - 15.3 PER
71 - Maurice Harkless (-2) - 12.5 PER
71 - Alonzo Gee (+1) 10.5 PER
71 - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - 9.1 PER (+2)
71 - Quentin Richardson (+1) - 0.7 PER
71 - Maurice Evans (-1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
70 - Jordan Hamilton (+5) - 16.9 PER
70 - Mike Dunleavy (+2) - 13.6 PER
70 - Earl Clark (+2) - 12.4 PER
70 - Damion James (0) - DNP
69 - Gordon Hayward (+1) - 16.8 PER (Position change from SG)
69 - Carlos Delfino (0) - 13.3 PER
69 - Chase Budinger (-2) - 12.6 PER
69 - Chris Douglas-Roberts (-1) - 8.3 PER
68 - Martell Webster (-1) - 13.9 PER
68 - Francisco Garcia (0) - 11.0 PER
68 - Marquis Daniels (+1) - 9.2 PER
68 - Josh Childress (-1) - 7.0 PER
67 - Travis Outlaw (-1) - 13.0 PER
67 - Sam Young (-1) - 7.5 PER
67 - James Posey (0) - DNP (RETIRED)
67 - Jamario Moon (+1) - DNP
66 - Omri Casspi (+4) - 12.9 PER
66 - P.J. Tucker (+1) - 11.6 PER
66 - Jae Crowder (-1) - 10.2 PER
66 - James Johnson (0) - 10.2 PER
66 - Dominic McGuire (0) - 7.7 PER
66 - Royce White (-1) - DNP (Position change from PF)
65 - Chris Copeland (+1) - 16.8 PER
65 - Marvin Williams (-1) - 10.9 PER
65 - Jeff Taylor (0) - 10.3 PER
65 - Cartier Martin (-2) - 9.7 PER (OVERSEAS)
65 - Jerry Stackhouse (-2) - 8.5 PER (RETIRED)
65 - Ryan Gomes (NEW) - 4.4 PER (2012)
65 - Kris Joseph (+2) - 0.6 PER
65 - Shabazz Muhammad (ROOKIE)
65 - Andre Roberson (ROOKIE)
64 - DeMarre Carroll (+3) - 16.8 PER
64 - Kyle Korver (+1) - 13.9 PER
64 - Reggie Williams (-2) - 13.2 PER
64 - Austin Daye (+1) - 12.9 PER
64 - Damien Wilkins (+1) - 12.5 PER
64 - Kyle Singler (+2) - 10.0 PER
64 - Linas Kleiza (0) - 8.2 PER (OVERSEAS)
64 - Darius Miller (+2) - 6.3 PER
63 - Devin Ebanks (-1) - 6.3 PER
63 - Donte Greene (0) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
62 - Draymond Green (+1) - 7.1 PER
62 - Tony Snell (ROOKIE)
62 - Solomon Hill (ROOKIE)
62 - Lazar Hayward (+2) - DNP
61 - Quincy Pondexter (0) - 11.0 PER
61 - DaJuan Summers (+1) - 4.3 PER (OVERSEAS)
61 - Rodney Carney (+2) - DNP
61 - Victor Claver (-1) - 7.0 PER
60 - Khris Middleton (0) - 11.4 PER
60 - Lance Thomas (-4) - 10.1 PER (Position change from PF)
60 - Luke Babbitt (+1) - 9.4 PER (OVERSEAS)
60 - Quincy Miller (-1) - 5.9 PER
60 - Giannis Adetokunbo (ROOKIE)
60 - Sergey Karasev (ROOKIE)
60 - Darington Hobson (-1) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
60 - Christian Eyenga (+2) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
60 - Rasual Butler (+1) - DNP
59 - Tornike Shengelia (+3) - 8.5 PER
59 - Shawne Williams (0) - DNP
59 - Bobby Simmons (0) - DNP
58 - Tony Mitchell (ROOKIE)
57 - James Jones (-1) - 8.1 PER
56 - Sasha Pavlovic (-1) - 6.2 PER
56 - Ronald Dupree (+2) - DNP
53 - Steve Novak (0) - 11.3 PER

As with the SG position, "3 and D" players generally get the shaft at small forward, even though the league is shifting in that direction more than ever.  SFs in general are the highest rated players in NBA 2K since they are generally well-rounded.

POWER FORWARD (109)
87 - Tim Duncan (0) - 24.4 PER (All-NBA 1st Team)
86 - Kevin Love (-2) - 17.9 PER
84 - Blake Griffin (-2) - 22.4 PER (All-NBA 2nd Team)
84 - LaMarcus Aldridge (-2) - 20.4 PER (All-Star)
84 - Serge Ibaka (-1) - 19.4 PER
83 - Dirk Nowitzki (-1) - 19.8 PER
83 - Zach Randolph (0) - 17.9 PER (All-Star)
82 - Amare Stoudemire (-1) - 22.1 PER
82 - Kevin Garnett (-2) - 19.2 PER (All-Star)
81 - David Lee (-3) - 19.2 PER (All-Star)
80 - Paul Millsap (-3) - 19.8 PER
80 - Greg Monroe (-1) - 19.5 PER (Position change from C)
80 - Kenneth Faried (0) - 18.5 PER
80 - Pau Gasol (-1) - 16.7 PER
79 - Anthony Davis (0) - 21.7 PER
79 - David West (-2) - 20.1 PER
79 - Thaddeus Young (+5) - 18.2 PER
79 - Luis Scola (0) - 16.7 PER
79 - Nene (0) - 17.0 PER
78 - Derrick Favors (+3) - 17.5 PER
78 - Elton Brand (+1) - 15.2 PER
77 - Carlos Boozer (-2) - 17.1 PER
76 - Carl Landry (+1) - 17.5 PER
76 - Antawn Jamison (-1) - 15.3 PER
76 - Anthony Bennett (ROOKIE)
75 - Glen Davis (+2) - 15.0 PER
75 - Taj Gibson (-1) - 14.4 PER
75 - Thomas Robinson (0) - 10.9 PER
74 - Tristan Thompson (+2) - 16.1 PER
73 - Ersan Ilyasova (-2) - 18.3 PER
73 - Patrick Patterson (-2) - 15.2 PER
73 - Kenyon Martin (-3) - 13.9 PER
73 - Kris Humphries (-2) - 13.6 PER
73 - Shane Battier (+1) - 10.7 PER
72 - Ed Davis (+1) - 17.8 PER
72 - Marreese Speights (+3) - 17.3 PER
72 - Tyler Hansbrough (+1) - 15.3 PER
72 - Derrick Williams (+3) - 14.5 PER
72 - Jared Sullinger (0) - 13.5 PER
72 - Lamar Odom (+3) - 10.9 PER
72 - Al Harrington (+1) - 10.3 PER
71 - Amir Johnson (+1) - 17.3 PER
71 - Anthony Randolph (0) - 15.6 PER
71 - Udonis Haslem (+1) - 9.9 PER
70 - Brandon Bass (-2) - 12.3 PER
70 - Jason Maxiell (-1) - 11.3 PER
70 - Andrea Bargnani (-3) - 11.2 PER
69 - Ivan Johnson (+1) - 15.7 PER (OVERSEAS)
69 - Andrew Nicholson (0) - 15.1 PER
69 - DeJuan Blair (-3) - 14.6 PER
69 - Trevor Booker (+2) - 13.9 PER
69 - Markieff Morris (0) - 12.6 PER
69 - Drew Gooden (-1) - 7.7 PER
68 - Jason Thompson (-2) - 14.6 PER
68 - Charlie Villanueva (-1) - 14.0 PER
68 - Byron Mullens (-1) - 12.3 PER
68 - Darrell Arthur (-4) - 11.8 PER
68 - Cody Zeller (ROOKIE)
67 - Channing Frye (0) - 14.9 PER (2012)
67 - Reggie Evans (+1) - 12.8 PER
67 - Marcus Morris (-1) - 11.3 PER
67 - Rashard Lewis (+1) - 11.1 PER
67 - Tyrus Thomas (-3) - 9.6 PER
67 - Louis Amundson (+2) - 9.3 PER
67 - Chris Singleton (0) - 7.8 PER
66 - Ryan Anderson (-3) - 18.1 PER
66 - Jonas Jerebko (0) - 15.7 PER
66 - Chris Wilcox (+1) - 15.3 PER
66 - Mirza Teletovic (+2) - 12.3 PER
66 - Lavoy Allen (+3) - 11.5 PER
66 - Troy Murphy (0) - 9.1 PER
65 - John Henson (+3) - 18.2 PER
65 - Mike Scott (+4) - 16.3 PER
65 - Hakim Warrick (0) - 11.5 PER
64 - Terrence Jones (+5) - 17.1 PER
64 - Quincy Acy (+2) - 15.9 PER
64 - Jeff Pendergraph (+2) - 14.5 PER
64 - Nick Collison (-1) - 13.6 PER
64 - Dante Cunningham (0) - 13.3 PER
64 - Kurt Thomas (-1) - 13.3 PER
64 - Josh McRoberts (0) - 12.7 PER
64 - Trey Thompkins (+1) - 12.0 PER (2012)
64 - Luke Walton (-2) - 11.3 PER
64 - Jan Vesely (+1) - 7.6 PER
64 - Jared Jeffries (+2) - 2.4 PER (RETIRED)
63 - D.J. White (0) - 14.7 PER
63 - Jeff Adrien (+2) - 13.4 PER
63 - Jon Leuer (0) - 10.4 PER
63 - Joel Freeland (+1) - 9.3 PER
63 - Perry Jones (+3) - 7.8 PER
63 - Jeremy Tyler (+2) - 6.2 PER
61 - Greg Smith (+3) - 16.1 PER
61 - Luke Zeller (+2) - 5.6 PER
61 - Jarvis Varnado (NEW) - 1.2 PER
60 - Jeremy Evans (+4) - 19.9 PER
60 - Arnett Moultrie (-1) - 16.7 PER
59 - Juwan Howard (+2) - 9.9 PER
59 - Justin Harper (+5) - DNP
58 - Donatas Motiejunas (0) - 12.2 PER
58 - Anthony Tolliver (-2) - 8.4 PER
58 - Jordan Williams (0) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
57 - Luke Harangody (+2) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
57 - Malik Allen (+4) - DNP (RETIRED)
56 - Erik Murphy (ROOKIE)
56 - Brian Cook (+3) - DNP
56 - Jon Brockman (+3) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
55 - Vladimir Radmanovic (+4) - 6.3 PER
52 - Darnell Jackson (0) - DNP
52 - Brian Cardinal (-1) - DNP (RETIRED)

It looks like most stretch-fours get the shaft again, getting decreased even further than they already were.  I speculate it relates to increased importance of the block rating, as David Lee and Paul Millsap also take some hits.  Among the top PFs just about everyone went down while only shot blocking Derrick Favors went up.

CENTER (99)
91 - Dwight Howard (+1) - 19.4 PER (All-NBA 3rd Team)
86 - Andrew Bynum (-1) - 22.9 PER (2012)
84 - Al Jefferson (0) - 20.9 PER
82 - Chris Bosh (-2) - 20.0 PER (All-Star)
82 - Al Horford (-2) - 19.8 PER
82 - Marc Gasol (-3) - 19.5 PER (All-NBA 2nd Team)
82 - Joakim Noah (-1) - 18.1 PER (All-Star)
81 - Roy Hibbert (+2) - 17.3 PER
80 - Brook Lopez (-1) - 24.7 PER (All-Star)
80 - DeMarcus Cousins (-2) - 20.2 PER
80 - Marcin Gortat (-1) - 15.4 PER
79 - Larry Sanders (+6) - 18.7 PER
78 - Nikola Pekovic (0) - 20.2 PER
78 - Andrew Bogut (-1) - 13.8 PER
77 - Anderson Varejao (+1) - 21.7 PER
77 - J.J. Hickson (+1) - 19.7 PER
77 - Tyson Chandler (0) - 18.9 PER (All-Star)
77 - Emeka Okafor (-1) - 15.8 PER
75 - JaVale McGee (+1) - 20.7 PER
75 - Chris Kaman (-1) - 16.3 PER
74 - Andray Blatche (0) - 21.9 PER
74 - Nikola Vucevic (+1) - 17.8 PER
74 - Samuel Dalembert (+1) - 18.6 PER
73 - Jermaine O'Neal (+2) - 16.7 PER
72 - Andre Drummond (+2) - 21.6 PER
72 - DeAndre Jordan (-2) - 17.2 PER
72 - Nerlens Noel (ROOKIE)
71 - Jordan Hill (+1) - 18.5 PER
71 - Omer Asik (+1) - 14.9 PER
71 - Marcus Camby (-2) - 8.6 PER
70 - Greg Oden (NEW) - 23.1 PER (2010)
70 - Tiago Splitter (+1) - 18.7 PER
70 - Spencer Hawes (-1) - 16.0 PER
70 - Kendrick Perkins (-3) - 8.2 PER
69 - Ian Mahinmi (-2) - 10.8 PER
69 - Kevin Seraphin (-4) - 10.3 PER
69 - Chuck Hayes (-3) - 10.7 PER
68 - Enes Kanter (+3) - 17.6 PER
68 - Brandan Wright (-1) - 21.0 PER
68 - Jonas Valanciunas (0) - 15.6 PER
68 - Robin Lopez (-1) - 18.9 PER
67 - Kosta Koufos (+3) - 17.2 PER
67 - Timofey Mozgov (+4) - 12.3 PER
67 - Ekpe Udoh (-2) - 12.0 PER
66 - Chris Andersen (0) - 17.4 PER
65 - Zaza Pachulia (+2) - 13.1 PER
65 - Tyler Zeller (0) - 11.0 PER
65 - Bismack Biyombo (+4) - 10.1 PER
64 - Chris Johnson (NEW) - 18.4 PER (Added 3 years late. Did mo-cap work for 2K this summer).
64 - Gustavo Ayon (+1) - 12.8 PER
64 - Boris Diaw (+2) - 11.9 PER
64 - Nazr Mohammed (+3) - 10.8 PER
64 - Ronny Turiaf (+1) - 9.4 PER
64 - Brendan Haywood (-4) - 8.7 PER
64 - Gorgui Dieng (ROOKIE)
63 - Festus Ezeli (+11) - 9.3 PER
63 - Andris Biedrins (+2) - 7.7 PER
62 - Kelly Olynyk (ROOKIE)
62 - Jason Smith (+2) - 16.8 PER
62 - Greg Stiemsma (+2) - 10.5 PER
62 - Robert Sacre (+2) - 3.4 PER
61 - Kyle O'Quinn (+3) - 15.8 PER
61 - Cole Aldrich (+2) - 11.1 PER
61 - Miles Plumlee (+5) - 8.8 PER
61 - Mason Plumlee (ROOKIE)
60 - Kwame Brown (0) - 8.8 PER
60 - Jeff Withey (ROOKIE)
60 - Melvin Ely (+3) - DNP
60 - Samardo Samuels (-2) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
59 - Meyers Leonard (0) - 12.1 PER
59 - Joel Anthony (+3) - 10.4 PER
59 - Hamed Haddadi (+10) - 10.2 PER (OVERSEAS)
59 - Dexter Pittman (+4) - 1.6 PER
59 - Hassan Whiteside (+6) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
59 - Mickell Gladness (+1) - DNP
59 - Bernard James (+6) - 14.7 PER
58 - Matt Bonner (+7) - 11.8 PER
57 - Viacheslav Kravtsov (+1) - 14.6 PER
57 - Hasheem Thabeet (+3) - 11.6 PER
57 - Earl Barron (+5) - 8.9 PER (OVERSEAS)
57 - Josh Harrellson (+3) - 8.5 PER
57 - Joel Przybilla (-4) - 3.3 PER (RETIRED)
57 - Dan Gadzuric (0) - DNP
57 - Alex Len (ROOKIE)
57 - Steven Adams (ROOKIE)
56 - Daniel Orton (0) - 14.0 PER
56 - Johan Petro (+2) - 11.0 PER (OVERSEAS)
56 - Aaron Gray (-2) - 9.0 PER
56 - Solomon Alabi (+2) - DNP
55 - Ryan Hollins (0) - 11.3 PER
54 - Brian Skinner (+2) - DNP (RETIRED)
54 - Francisco Elson (-5) - DNP (RETIRED)
54 - DeSagana Diop (-3) - 6.6 PER
53 - Fab Melo (+2) - 4.9 PER
52 - Solomon Jones (0) - neg5.7 PER
52 - Rudy Gobert (ROOKIE)
52 - D.J. Mbenga (+5) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
52 - Kyrylo Fesenko (+6) - DNP (OVERSEAS)
50 - Jason Collins (+2) - 3.0 PER

Fluctuation in free agent center ratings seem to suggest that block rating is more important than ever for a center's overall rating.  Post up game sadly matters a great deal even though that responsibility is shifting to other positions (Tyson Chandler was an all-star and only posted up 19 times last season).

Analysis of NBA 2K14's Pick Dodger Signature Skill

Pick Dodger: A player that does not get caught up on screens very easily.  He counters the Brick Wall Signature Skill, and when hitting a screen set by a regular player, the screen often fails to be effective.

Upon release of the NBA 2K14 Signature Skills list, one of the first things fans began complaining about were the players given the signature skill "Pick Dodger".  Many of the players are not highly regarded defensively in the eyes of the masses.  Perusing some forums across the interwebs...

"pick dodger is for defensive players. None of those listed should have that sig"

"wait Jodie Meeks has a defensive skill? I know there are some Laker fans in the office but cmon"

"If Meeks has any defensive sig skill then you know the person who does the ratings for 2k has no clue about basketball"

Meeks is a great example. People think he is a weak defender because he's a spot up shooter and plays for Mike D'Antoni right now (even though his best years came with a scrappy Sixers team). He's 6'4", 210 pounds, and his speed graded very well at the draft combine: 3.10 Sprint, 10.98 Agility (which basically converts to 95 Speed & 87 Quickness in NBA 2K), and has about 30 pounds of muscle on someone like say, Ricky Rubio.

Everything about his profile says he'd be good at chasing players around screens, whereas for a one-on-one "Lockdown Defender" you'd put greater emphasis on length, wingspan, and good hands. Do we ultimately overlook this side of defense when making our evaluations of players?

The best way to find out whether or not 2K fans have a valid point is to look at data Synergy Sports collected on Ball Handler Pick and Roll defense last year.

NBA 2K14's "Pick Dodger's"

Team	Pos	Player	P&R Def	Def%	Poss	Rank
FA	PG	Barbosa, Leandro	0.46	40.9	72	2
LAC	SG	Crawford, Jamal	0.5	22.3	105	4
LAC	SF	Barnes, Matt	0.59	20	161	9
ATL	PG	Williams, Louis	0.61	40.2	134	11
LAL	SG	Meeks, Jodie	0.63	30	182	15
BOS	PG	Bradley, Avery	0.65	36.1	197	19
MEM	PG	Bayless, Jerryd	0.68	36.9	259	32
TOR	PG	Lowry, Kyle	0.69	40.3	273	40
MIN	SF	Brewer, Corey	0.73	21.3	153	70
NOP	SG	Gordon, Eric	0.76	22.3	68	92
CHI	PG	Hinrich, Kirk	0.8	48	357	129

A few things stand out to me at a first glance.

• All but three of these players posted a mark < 0.70 PPP.
• All but two of these players experienced > 100 possessions.
• Every player had P&R defense make up at least 20% of their defense.
• With the exception of Barnes and Hinrich, all of these players are very quick, and it's not surprising they can use that to get around screens better than most.
• Leandro Barbosa and Eric Gordon lack an appropriate volume of possessions (due to injuries) to really put much merit behind their PPP marks.  Gordon in particular wasn't even all that great at it.
• Kirk Hinrich accumulated the highest volume of possessions in this sample, but he was easily the least effective, ranking middle of the pack among his peers.
• I am on the fence about Corey Brewer since he is regarded as a good defender, and will try using him as the cutoff point for this study.

Using the minimum requirements: Greater than 100 possessions, equal to or less than 0.73 PPP we get...

POINT GUARDS (15)

Team	Pos	Player	P&R Def	Def%	Poss	Rank
ATL	PG	Williams, Louis	0.61	40.2	134	11
BOS	PG	Bradley, Avery	0.65	36.1	197	19
DAL	PG	Calderon, Jose (DET)	0.67	43	123	26
MIA	PG	Chalmers, Mario	0.68	34	306	32
MEM	PG	Bayless, Jerryd	0.68	36.9	259	32
BOS	PG	Rondo, Rajon	0.68	36.3	165	32
TOR	PG	Lowry, Kyle	0.69	40.3	273	40
MIA	PG	Cole, Norris	0.69	38.6	245	40
CLE	PG	Jack, Jarrett	0.7	33.6	308	45
PHX	PG	Bledsoe, Eric	0.71	35.5	202	58
BRK	PG	Williams, Deron	0.72	51.1	483	66
DAL	PG	Harris, Devin	0.72	36.8	191	66
PHI	PG	Miller, Darius	0.72	43.9	134	66
LAC	PG	Paul, Chris	0.73	39.7	305	70
MIN	PG	Price, A.J.	0.73	47	224	70

• We lose Barbosa and Hinrich, but gain 11 new candidates.  Hinrich in particular doesn't look so good in this expanded look at PG defenders.
• Jose Calderon had good numbers in Detroit, but did not fare as well in Toronto (0.81 PPP) where he spent the other half of this season.  Let's cross him off the list.
• Mario Chalmers, Rajon Rondo, Eric Bledsoe, Devin Harris, and Chris Paul are well-regarded defensive players.
• Rondo, Williams, and Paul are superstars and already have 5 signature skills, which ultimately DQ's them from Pick Dodger.

SHOOTING GUARDS (17)

Team	Pos	Player	P&R Def	Def%	Poss	Rank
LAC	SG	Crawford, Jamal	0.5	22.3	105	4
DAL	SG	Ellis, Monta	0.58	28.5	300	7
MIA	SG	Wade, Dwyane	0.6	14.8	125	10
MEM	SG	Allen, Tony	0.61	27.2	193	11
LAL	SG	Meeks, Jodie	0.63	30	182	15
MIA	SG	Allen, Ray	0.65	18.5	142	19
CHI	SG	Butler, Jimmy	0.68	27.4	218	32
DEN	SG	Miller, Andre	0.68	27.7	202	32
GSW	SG	Thompson, Klay	0.7	28.9	353	45
SAS	SG	Green, Danny	0.7	26.3	276	45
MIN	SG	Shved, Alexey	0.7	29	163	45
TOR	SG	DeRozan, DeMar	0.7	20.3	140	45
MIL	SG	Mayo, O.J.	0.71	22.6	195	58
BRK	SG	Terry, Jason	0.71	23.7	150	58
WAS	SG	Beal, Bradley	0.72	23	129	66
BRK	SG	Johnson, Joe	0.73	26.3	192	70
BOS	SG	Bogans, Keith	0.73	33.7	132	70

• We lose Eric Gordon but gain a whopping 15 new candidates (which means I may need to make the requirements stricter).
• Crawford barely makes the possession cut, but you certainly can't argue with his PPP.   His quickness and length aid him here.
• Rude awakening to some, but Monta Ellis actually does something well defensively, and it's puzzling why Monta wasn't given Pick Dodger when you compare his body of work to Barbosa, Sweet Lou, etc.  His speed/athleticism is unquestioned.
• Dwyane Wade has a good score but P&R defense but it only makes up 15% of his defensive possessions, easily the lowest we have seen so far.
• Ray Allen likewise has a good score but P&R defense made up less than 20% of his possessions.  It bears noting that the entire Heat backcourt defended P&Rs very well, which is a testament not only to their individual ability, but to how underrated Chris Bosh is as their starting center.
• Was Tony Allen really passed over for a defensive skill like Pick Dodger?
• By the numbers, Jimmy Butler clearly deserves Pick Dodger before Kirk Hinrich (Editor's Note: I made a mistake here and should have listed Butler at SF where his numbers are VERY impressive).
• Jodie Meeks and Keith Bogans are the only SGs here whose P&R defense exceeds 30% of their possessions.
• Andre Miller is listed at SG because he played more of his minutes there.  Had I listed him at PG, he'd have been the only PG with P&R defense making up less than 30% of his defense.
• Wayne Ellington cracks this list when you combine his work with Memphis and Cleveland (124 total poss).  0.64 PPP (74 poss) w/ MEM, and 0.68 PPP (50 poss) w/ CLE.

SMALL FORWARDS (7)

Team	Pos	Player	P&R Def	Def%	Poss	Rank
ATL	SF	Korver, Kyle	0.52	16.1	117	5
LAC	SF	Barnes, Matt	0.59	20	161	9
OKC	SF	Durant, Kevin	0.66	14	139	26
MIA	SF	James, LeBron	0.68	16.7	148	32
HOU	SF	Parsons, Chandler	0.7	21.5	193	45
SAS	SF	Leonard, Kawhi	0.71	26.2	195	58
MIN	SF	Brewer, Corey	0.73	21.3	153	70

• There aren't many SFs who met the requirements, we only gain 5 here.
• It should surprise no one that Durant and LeBron both performed well, though both superstars would need around 10 Signature Skill slots to make Pick Dodger a realistic consideration.
• Korver is quietly a solid defensive player dating back to his time in Utah.  What he lacks in overall athleticism he makes up for in IQ.
• Most impressive for Leonard is P&Rs make up 26% of his defense, meaning he is spending a lot of time defending non-SFs.
• You may have expected to see Shane Battier's name here. Battier made a full transition to PF, illustrated by the fact that P&Rs only made up 3.5% of his defense (25 possessions on the year).  His days as an elite on the ball defender are largely over.

Between the three positions, that makes 39 potential "Pick Dodgers".  Take away the 6 superstars who already have maxed out skill slots (Paul, Rondo, D.Williams, Wade, LeBron, Durant) and we're down to 33 players, three times the number 2K Sports started us out with.  Is this an acceptable number?  Should the requirements be more stringent?  Ultimately, It's too early to say as we still need to play NBA 2K14 and test the mechanics of the skill.  

One thing that IS certain: advances in statistical measurement in sports continue to diversify our understanding of the game... and it certainly hasn't hurt the depth of our video games.