NBA 2K13: Ranking the Pistons roster

That’s the latest trailer for NBA 2K13, the 14th installment of 2K’s yearly basketball game. With the release date (October 2) just a few weeks ago, ratings for all of the players in the game have slowly been unveiled, with Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Clippers guard Chris Paul ranked at the top with 94 overall ratings.

Nearly 40 players’ ratings have been revealed thus far, with Michael Jordan, one of several “Legends” included in the game, scoring a 99 rating, the highest in the game. Several 2012 draft picks (Anthony Davis – 80, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – 78, Dion Waiters – 71, Harrison Barnes – 75, Austin Rivers – 67, Thomas Robinson – 75) have already been released, as well.

No Pistons have been announced just yet, however. Using the ratings for the players who have already been released, here’s a prediction of what every Piston player might be rated in NBA 2K13:

Rodney Stuckey – 84 overall

Stuckey was the team’s highest-rated player last season at 77, and now that he is firmly entrenched in the team’s shooting guard position – the right spot for him – he should receive a sufficient boost in 2K13. While he was still adjusting to the position and head coach Lawrence Frank’s system last season, averaging just 14.8 points, he improved his three-point shooting drastically. His on-ball defense has always been solid, but it’s offensive moves like this that will increase his in-game ratings:

Greg Monroe – 80

Monroe was rated a decent 72 last season, despite being named to the All-Rookie Second Team and averaging 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in his rookie season. With his stats increasing across the board, the big man from Louisiana should see a huge jump in his 2K13 rating. His defensive measurements still won’t likely be great, but his post moves and rebounding numbers should see a boost. Monroe was a borderline All-Star last season, and it would be a shame to not see his virtual rating go up because of that.

Brandon Knight – 77

After playing just one year of college basketball, Knight played in all 66 games last year, quite a feat for such a young point guard. He never seemed to hit the “rookie wall,” showcasing solid ball-handling, a fearlessness at point guard, and an ability to hit from beyond the three-point arc. His decision-making needs to improve, but that’ll come with time. Much like the rest of Detroit’s young talent, his best years could be ahead of him.

Tayshaun Prince – 77

It’s not that Prince has gotten worse in his last few seasons; it’s moreso that he hasn’t shown any growth as a player. That should show in his 2K13 rating, which was a 77 in last year’s edition. He provides steady defense and mid-range shooting, as well as solid ball-handling ability, but he just isn’t the athletic wingman that he was in his first few seasons.

Jason Maxiell – 72

After a 2012 season that saw him come on as Lawrence Frank’s first choice for a center, Maxiell should receive a bump in his ratings. He’s not the tallest player on the team, and his shooting at times can be rough, but his upper body strength and jumping ability allow him to always be involved when the ball is in the post.

Corey Maggette – 72

Much like in real life, Maggette’s ability to rebound from the small forward-guard position, as well as draw fouls (and make the subsequent free throws) are the main attributes that will keep the former Duke Blue Devil’s rating from slipping too much. Time has robbed Maggette of his athleticism, but the veteran should be an asset to the virtual Pistons.

Jonas Jerebko – 68

Jerebko’s rating of 61 in 2K12 is likely skewed because he missed the 2010-11 season (which is what they base ratings off of) with an Achilles injury. The Swede’s breakout rookie season saw him start in 73 games and average a very respectable 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds; those numbers decreased under first year head coach Lawrence Frank, but Jerebko’s rating should be higher in 2K13.

Kyle Singler – 60

After a season playing overseas in Spain, Singler came back to the Pistons with a much more defined set of skills. He has become an efficient offensive player, taking (and making) the shot that come to him in the offense. He won’t blow anybody away on offense, and he isn’t supremely athletic, but he should provide adequate shooting.

Andre Drummond – 65

Projections of Drummond have him ranging anywhere from Amare Stoudemire to Kwame Brown. How will that translate to NBA 2K13? Being just 19 years old, his skills will be very raw, but his freakish athleticism and shot-blocking abilities will make him an interesting virtual player. Much like in real life, his potential is sky-high and while he probably won’t be a great player right away in the game, he could become extremely useful in-game after a few seasons.

Slava Kravtsov – 57

The main thing keeping Kravtsov from having a higher rating is the relative uncertainty about what he really is as a player. Highlights show him as an explosive jumper around the basket, meaning he can throw it down, block shots, and rebound, but the rest of his game is extremely raw and undeveloped. He will probably end up being a situational player in the virtual NBA.

Kim English – 67

English came into the league with heavy criticism about his athletic ability, or lack thereof, rather. In an extremely impressive summer league, English showed solid man defense and the willingness to take charges, as well as continued success from beyond the arc. He averaged 46% shooting from three-point range in his senior year last season, and it looks like that skill will transfer well to the pro game.

Will Bynum – 66

Bynum is yet another player who will likely see a ratings drop because of less playing time and therefore worst statistics. With the emergence of Knight at point guard, Bynum’s more natural position due to his height, he has had trouble playing much under Lawrence Frank. Surprisingly, for someone so short,

Khris Middleton – 56

As a second-round pick who barely made the roster, it’s not likely that Middleton will be rated very highly. That said, his shooting and rebounding numbers should be decent in the game, and his lanky frame should help on defense, provided he actually get minutes at the small forward spot, a crowded one for the Pistons.

Austin Daye – 58

After averaging 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 2011, Daye was a 59 in last season’s game, and after a rough 2012 campaign, the only thing keeping him from dropping further is the fact that he had a decent summer league. His inability to play defense against bigger opponents, as well as his sudden lack of a shooting touch, keeps him from improving much in the game, though.

Charlie Villanueva – 58

The offseason couldn’t have been worse to Villanueva. After a season in which he played just 13 games and averaged 7 points, the former UConn Huskie was relieved of his duties with the Dominican Republic national team. One more negative could be coming when his 2K13 rating is released, as his scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentages in real life have all declined in the last three seasons.

What do you think of these projected ratings? Any players too high or too low?