Some of the NBA2k13 ratings have been leaked. Among those leaked via screen shot were six Celtics players. Four of the six rankings seem to be pretty accurate, but two are of dubious quality, and we’re going to take a look at why, by comparing them to players on other teams with equivalent ratings, or even guys that rank above and below them that have no business doing so.
The makers of NBA2k13 have done their research, and it shows, but sometimes their evaluation of talent is too based up on statistics and not enough upon actual game impact. It shows in the ratings of Avery Bradley in particular. That said, let’s look at the ratings we do know and compare them to a few of the others that were leaked.
Jun 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) shoots past the defense of Miami Heat shooting guard Mike Miller (13) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE
Rajon Rondo – 90
Rajon Rondo’s rating seems to be spot-on in comparison with the other point guards so far that have been leaked in screen shots. He’s three points ahead of Steve Nash, two points behind Derrick Rose, four points ahead of Tony Parker, and four points behind Chris Paul.
Why is that accurate?
He’s younger and more dynamic than Nash, and a better defender. He’s not on a Derrick Rose-level offensively, and Rose is good enough defensively to account for remaining slightly ahead. He’s a better all around player than Tony Parker, and none of them compare to Chris Paul who is rightly placed at 94, as the best point guard in the league.
Jun 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) shoots over Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the first quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE
Kevin Garnett – 84
Garnett is given his proper respect, despite his declining stats. He’s two points ahead of Chris Bosh, who might be rated higher by those who focus on the Heat as a premier team with three premier players, but Garnett’s intangibles place him a notch ahead of Bosh. Surprisingly, though, he is only one point behind Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki may have declined, but he is still one of the best power forwards, at least offensively, to ever play the game.
Garnett is also only two points behind the very overrated (in real life) Blake Griffin. NBA2k13 makers haven’t gone out of their way to over-rate Griffin whose ability to throw down thunderous jams should in no way make him a vastly superior player.
Again, NBA 2k13 makers have seemed to nail this one.
June 5, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) during the second half in game five of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Paul Pierce – 82
This rating seems a little low. Maybe Pierce makes up for it in terms of clutch performance, because that is where his true value is at this point in his career. Defensively, he’s going to be a bit weaker, and that would account for having a rating that in my opinion should be at least three or four points higher.
Still, Pierce ranks higher than former Celtic Ray Allen by three points, and he is only one point behind Luol Deng, who I wrote he should be traded for recently. Deng’s rating is accurate, though, and though I do feel Pierce is still a slightly better player than Deng, Deng’s value defensively is what gives him the nod, I think, in the eyes of the game developers.
May 14, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley (0) makes a basket against Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Evan Turner (12) during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
Avery Bradley – 79
Bradley will rank higher than this by the time NBA2k14 comes out, but right now his body of work just isn’t great enough. He’s already shown himself to be an elite defender and his offense will continue to improve as he gets more seasoning. I’m not going to gripe about the rating, because 79 still ranks as high as Ray Allen (identical), and he’s given about the same respect as Iman Shumpert (80), who has proven just about as much in his short career.
May 9, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) looks to pass while guarded by Miami Heat guard Mike Miller (13) during the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
Jeff Green – 78
Is this because of the heart surgery? Green may not have played last season, but he’s a better player than Shawn Marion, who ranks a point higher. He’s also better than Caron Butler, who ranks three points higher. Green will show this season that he has the talent to be a fringe All-Star, and that would warrant a rating of at least an 83. It’s not horribly off, but Green is a better player than the type that should be rated 78.
May 3, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Jason Terry (31) waits for play to resume against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game three in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeated the Mavericks 95-79. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
Jason Terry – 77
This is distinctively low. Terry is one of the best sixth men in league history and still has a lot left in the tank, as you can tell by his motor. He’s placed on the same plane as O.J. Mayo (77), Grant Hill (77), and Stephen Jackson (78). Terry out played all three players last season and was relied upon much more heavily by the Dallas Mavericks than all three of those players were by their respective NBA teams. JET just didn’t get the respect by game makers, and I’m not sure why. I guess they don’t like guys that can come in and light it up off the bench while hitting clutch shots and igniting fans.