Analyzing the Celtics NBA 2K16 Ratings

Apr 14, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defends against Toronto Raptors guard Louis Williams (23) and forward Amir Johnson (15) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

For the gamers out there, who – like myself – enjoy the NBA 2k games, the player ratings 2K Sports designates each year always seem more and more arbitrary. NBA 2K16’s ratings are no exception, as certain player’s ratings have leaked today, with the internet abuzz criticizing 2K Sports’ rating criteria.

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While we won’t know every player’s ratings for at least a couple months, there have been some promotional videos and images that have been posted leaking certain players’ ratings. We also won’t be able to see the full breakdown of each player’s stats (perimeter defense, 3PT shooting, FT shooting, etc…) until the game’s released on September 29th. Therefore, we’ll have to work with the leaks we have.

One of the leaks today included the Celtics’ starting roster’s (or at least 2K Sports’ expected Celtics’ roster) ratings:

Celtics Starting Roster:

PG – Isaiah Thomas: 81

SG – Avery Bradley: 77

SF – Evan Turner: 74

PF – Jared Sullinger: 77

C – Tyler Zeller: 76

6th – David Lee: 76

There are some fundamental issues with the configuration of this lineup we need to identify before discussing the ratings. First off, Marcus Smart is the actual projected game day starter – not Isaiah Thomas, who 2K Sports inexplicably believes will start. Secondly, do they really expect the Celtics to pay Amir Johnson $12 million this season to come off the bench – behind David Lee? I can all but guarantee you Celtics fans, that it’ll be Johnson starting at center, and not Zeller on October 28th.

Tyler Zeller – 76

2K15: 70 (+6)

I was pleasantly surprised to see 2K Sports gift Zeller a generous 76 rating. Although I think Zeller’s earned it, it takes a keen eye – or at least an astute Celtics fan – to appreciate what Zeller brings to the table. While he’s certainly not a detriment on defense, he’s no defensive anchor either, which – for a league that glorifies the rim-protecting five – makes the rating a surprise. It was his offensive prowess which likely prompted 2K to award him the respectable rating of 76, as his offensive game was far more well-rounded than we were led to believe when Ainge acquired him (along with Marcus Thornton and a future first-rounder!) for a conditional second-round pick. Between Zeller’s range and effective jump-hook, Zeller can be a Bill Walton-light coming off-the-bench. Zeller will therefore enjoy his far-improved NBA rating of 76, considering he was given a mere 70-rating last season (here are all the player ratings for last year).

Evan Turner: 74

2K15: 76 (-2)

Now, onto the criminally-unfair ratings: How did Evan Turner go from a 76 at the start of last season to only a 74 this season? If anything, Turner’s rating should have increased seeing as he surprised people last season with his efficiency and versatility. Last year, Turner illustrated how effective he could be as a team’s primary ball-handler, in addition to marginally improving his defense (from poor to mediocre, that is). While I don’t believe Turner should be higher than 76, 2K Sports’ decision to downgrade him proves just how arbitrary their rating system is.

Isaiah Thomas: 81

2k15: 80 (+1)

While I am admittedly, biased, I don’t see how Isaiah Thomas could go from an 80 last season, to only an 81 this season. He was the catalyst for the Celtics’ transformation from a lottery team into a playoff team last season. It was largely because of him that the Celtics had the second-best record in the Eastern Conference following the All-Star break.

Jared Sullinger: 77

2K15: 78 (-1)

Thomas won’t be happy about his rating and nor will Sullinger, as the two were both chirping at 2K Sports this week to give them higher ratings than last season. Sullinger will be especially unhappy though, considering he went from a 78 at the start of last season, to a 77.

If 2K Sports’ perception of him accurately reflects the league’s perception, then this isn’t going to bode well for his max contract aspirations. Fortunately for Sullinger, at least 2K Sports thinks he’s going to start on opening day, which at this point, is still very debatable. Besides, a 77 rating seems appropriate for Sullinger, who averaged 13 ppg and 7.6 rpg last season. He did achieve those numbers in just 26 minutes a game, and his per-36 averages were an admittedly impressive 17.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg.

But how plausible is it that Sullinger can achieve those numbers in 36 minutes a game? His stamina and health have been his biggest detractors from day one, so it’s optimistic to think he can even play 36 minutes a game, let alone perform at that level of efficiency.

Avery Bradley: 77

2K15: 78 (-1)

Avery Bradley‘s rating of 77 seems appropriate. A 77 rating implies the player’s above average, yet nowhere near All-Star caliber — which describes Bradley to a T. I don’t necessarily understand why his rating decreased from last year, unless 2K Sports expected him to substantially improve last season – which of course, didn’t really happen. As a side note, I could see a Marcus Smart – Isaiah Thomas backcourt stealing significant minutes from Bradley this upcoming season. This would require Smart to significantly improve his off-the-ball skills, which already looked promising last season.

David Lee: 76

2K15: 82 (-6)

Lee’s major rating decrease reflects how much a player’s value can decrease after a drop-off in playing time. While 82 was too high of a rating for Lee entering 2014, his dip in minutes was really to no fault of his own. It was just Steve Kerr’s system that favored having a floor-stretcher at the four, in lieu of a post-up forward. His replacement, Draymond Green, is also an extremely versatile player who definitely deserved his max contract he received this summer.

My Estimated Ratings for the Remaining Players*:

Marcus Smart: 78 (+2)

James Young: 68 (+0)

Kelly Olynyk: 75 (+1)

Amir Johnson: 79 (+2)

Perry Jones III: 69 (+0)

R.J. Hunter: 72

Terry Rozier: 72

Jordan Mickey: 70

Jonas Jerebko: 75 (+4)

Jae Crowder: 77 (+5)

*I’m guessing how 2K will rate them, not off of my own biased opinions.