NBA 2K9: The Leap - Operation Sports

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NBA 2K9: The Leap

Submitted on: 05/19/2008 by Richard Chavez

When NBA 2K9 is released this upcoming fall, there will most definitely be debates ranging from Boston fans whining about Glen Davis’ rating to Lakers haters disputing Los Angeles’ almost assuredly high team rating. Nobody knows the method that 2K Sports uses to rate players, but we can safely conclude these five guys certainly won’t be complaining.

5. Brandon Roy
Portland Trailblazers
Original NBA 2K8 rating: 82
Projected NBA 2K9 rating: 88

In his second year out of Washington, Brandon Roy has developed into a true scorer, a floor leader, and a great young combo guard in the mold of Gilbert Arenas. Roy splits point guard duties with Steve Blake, but that hasn’t stopped Roy from averaging 19 points and almost six assists a game this season.

Roy guided the third youngest team in NBA history to a respectable season along with power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. With Greg Oden returning from injury next season and their lottery pick this year; the Blazers will continue to improve with the leadership of Brandon Roy on the court.

4. Rudy Gay
Memphis Grizzlies
Original NBA 2K8 rating: 82
Projected NBA 2K8 rating: 89

After the Grizzlies jettisoned Pau Gasol to Los Angeles, Memphis needed someone to take over. Rudy Gay, drafted 8th overall in 2006 out of Connecticut, is the exact guy they were looking for. Gay more than doubled his points output, jumping up to 20 in the 2007-2008 season. He emerged as a star on a Grizzlies squad which was in desperate need of one.

Although Memphis has floundered during Gay’s tenure, the future is bright in Graceland. The emergence of Rudy Gay will only help the Grizzlies crawl from the depths of the Western Conference.

3. Hedo Turkoglu
Orlando Magic
Original NBA 2K8 rating: 77
Projected NBA 2K9 rating: 87

After being drafted in 2000, Hedo Turkoglu, finally found his niche with Orlando. Turkoglu averaged almost 20 points a game, up from 14 a year earlier with five assists and almost six rebounds a game. The addition of Rashard Lewis and the rise of Dwight Howard would make you think that his production would drop.

Turkoglu, along with Lewis and Howard took the Magic from a fringe playoff team in 2007, to a legitimate contender in the East this season. Although the team lost in five games to Detroit in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the play of Turkoglu has Magic fans looking forward to next season.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge
Portland Trailblazers
Original NBA 2K8 rating: 75
Projected NBA 2K9 rating: 89

Like Al Jefferson of a year ago, LaMarcus Aldridge is the next big thing in power forwards. The 2nd pick in 2006 out of Texas, Aldridge averaged nine points and five rebounds in his rookie year playing behind Zach Randolph. Randolph was traded to New York which allowed Aldridge picked up where Randolph left off, scoring 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.

With Brandon Roy, the Blazers were able to make their mark in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. They won nine more games than the year before, even without their first pick Greg Oden. If the Blazers hope to capitalize on a successful season, it will be on the back of LaMarcus Aldridge.

1. Chris Paul
New Orleans Hornets
Original NBA 2K8 rating: 91
Projected NBA 2K9 rating: 98

Chris Paul graced the cover of NBA 2K8, but many felt it should have went to a more deserving player. In 2006-2007, the Hornets finished four games under five hundred and three games behind the Warriors for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

In 2008, Paul put any doubters to rest. No matter how the Hornets' season turns out, in his third year Chris Paul has transformed himself from a great young point guard into the best point guard in the NBA bar-none. He bumped up his averages in points, assists, and steals. His performance throughout the season brought the Hornets to the 2nd best record in the West. He also finished 2nd in MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant.

His all-around game has analysts ready to peg him as the best point guard since Magic Johnson. There is no saying who will be on the cover of NBA 2K9, but if it is Chris Paul it is most definitely deserved this time around.

Are there any players I missed? Are they in the wrong order? Be sure to let me know what you think!

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Member Comments

# 41 DC @ 06/17/08 05:52 PM

Man at BEST; if we are basing it off of PURE overalls.

I would put Alridge around an 83 AT BEST.

I would say that the All Star cut off is 85. Alridge is ALMOST there but not quite.

Roy I would put at an 86.

With Jordan regarded as perfection ( 99 ); everyone else HAS to be rated accordingly. I feel we had this discussion before.

# 42 btseroyer @ 06/17/08 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCAllAmerican


	Man at BEST; if we are basing it off of PURE overalls. I would put Alridge around an 83 AT BEST. I would say that the All Star cut off is 85. Alridge is ALMOST there but not quite. Roy I would put at an 86. With Jordan regarded as perfection ( 99 ); everyone else HAS to be rated accordingly. I feel we had this discussion before.

Yeah, but that's how you rate it, not the game (not saying you're wrong). The games default ratings are much more inflated than your scale, so going by their's -- his rating would be higher than an 83 IMO.

# 43 DieHardYankee26 @ 06/18/08 09:11 PM

I think like someone else said in another thread, they should take the overall rating and make it less important on what someone can do. In the game, 75 and under pretty much is where the scrubs live and rajon rondo is a 75(underrated), devin harris is a 79(nothing wrong with rating but the game looks at his rating and practically spits on his game). Like I said, the overall ratings should have less of a bearing on how they play. the individual attributes should determine that. Like I lowered a lot of Ray Allen's attributes and raised his 3 pointers to 99 and he couldn't hit anything but in real life even the crappiest shooters will hit a shot eventually.....

# 44 texbuk84 @ 06/21/08 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZephyrSong


	yay 2k9! one thing's for sure though, Portland's gonna be awesome next season

its about time my swads are doing good. first boston win the championship, then portland get back Oden. its going to be a great year in sports for me

# 45 texbuk84 @ 06/21/08 06:46 AM

dont forget monte ellis, stephen jackson, james posey,travis outlaw and i cant think of anyone else.

# 46 SooPaDooPa*StaR*24 @ 06/25/08 09:13 PM

I think Brandon Roy deserves between an 88 to 90, LeBron, KG still 98's, Kobe a 99 finally, Aldrigde is only at best an 83, Andrew Bynum from a 71 to a 85 at least. I would like to see pregame and halftime warmups that r play or skippable in 2k9 with commentary from Magic, Charles, Kenny, Marv Bill Walton and whoever else that jus talk about what needs to happen with certain players 4 them to win while also talkin or jokin with each other to make it seem real. Deeper Association with real playable practices that u setup to work on certain skills, PREGAME INTRODUCTIONS PLEEEASSE!!! On both sides, i would like to see a better All-Star Weekend like NBA Live that is real and Inside not outside on blacktop. I agree with the MVP Chants for the superstars in their HOME Arenas from the middle toward the end of the season as MVP talk heats up and also in AWAY Arenas givin a good enough performance that overwhelms the crowd as Kobe did. I agree on having Celebs at the game like Nicholson in LA or Jay-Z, Spike Lee in New York, Will Smith LA etc. Better players look to takeover in close games at the end, I would like to see better facial expressions depending on the personality and more often also, with ALL Players, playing exactly as they do in all ways like attitudes, celebrations, shooting, dunking, dribbling, free throw routines and free throw shots too, with many different varieties in every category that includes 2k8 moves and many more NEW ones, also the way the players look in the face and tones of their bodies (no homo) AND WUT I HATE MOST IS THESE SKINNY LITTLE FOREARM WRISTBANDS THAT THEY MAKE WHICH NEED TO BE THICKER AND TAKE THE SLEEVES OFF OF KOBE'S LEGS HE DOESN'T WHERE THEM OR A LEFT FOREARM WRISTBAND ANYMORE!!!!! For online or offline play, players should always try to switch up their gear and match best for example, Melo at home, White sneaks NOT black, with a sleeve and headband that match whether they be both white or both blue, they should switch it up everytime to make the game more real life and interesting and away his black sneaks with most of the time blue sleeve and headband or both white to mix it up every now and then. Im OUT THANX!!! LAKERS IN 09 WE'LL BE BAK AND IF U WANT PARTS OF ME SEND ME DAT GAMERTAG AND WE CAN GET IT IN, KB 24 ALL DAY

# 47 imabored @ 06/29/08 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SooPaDooPa*StaR*24


	Andrew Bynum from a 71 to a 85 at least.

bynum does not deserve to jump from 71 to 85. that is ridiculous. yeah he showed really promise and progress but he played only 35 games last year. who knows how well he could have played if he played the whole season. he could have regress or gotten better. who knows? i say he's about 78-80.

# 48 Tha_Kid @ 06/30/08 06:00 AM

R Allen had no business being rated higher than Pierce in 2k8. There's one that needs to be changed.

# 49 kngjames83 @ 08/26/08 06:42 PM

I think a 98 is a bit high for any 3rd year player even if you are Chris Paul for the simple fact that he has not reached his ceiling...98 or 99 indicates that a player has reached his peak and Paul is still very young and still has a lot of room to grow (believe it or not lol)...I think a 94 or 95 will suffice...Hedo Turkoglu is a 82 max, Aldridge and Gay are a 85 max....Brandon Roy is the only accurate rating at 88 (give or take a point or two)...Can't wait for 2k9 to arrive...I will be first in line for my copy...

# 50 MrSimCity @ 08/26/08 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCAllAmerican


	I pray to god this does NOT happen. Neither one of those ratings are warranted

Couldn't agree more..I was lik WTF when i first saw those

Larmacus is an 84
Gay is an 86/87

# 51 GSW @ 08/26/08 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaImmaculateONe


	ratings are way to high to begin with in the first place

ding ding ding ding

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