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Projecting the Detroit Pistons’ NBA 2K17 player ratings

By Duncan Smith

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13), forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Tobias Harris (34) fight for a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs win 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13), forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Tobias Harris (34) fight for a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs win 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) talks to forward Darrun Hilliard (6) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) talks to forward Darrun Hilliard (6) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanley Johnson

Opening 2K16 Rating: 73

Closing 2K16 Rating: 74

Net Rating Change: +1

Projected 2K17 Rating: 77

Stanley Johnson took some time to get going in his rookie season. It was clear early on that the game was a bit faster than he was ready for, but he acclimated well by the trade deadline. Over a 31 game stretch between mid-December and February 22nd when he strained his shoulder and hampered the rest of his regular season, he averaged 10 points and 4.7 points in 26.1 minutes per game, shooting 41 percent from the floor and 34 percent from three-point range.

He faded significantly after he came back from his shoulder injury perhaps a bit early. Over the last 16 games of the season, he averaged just 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 29.3 percent from the floor and 25.7 from long-range.

He was ready for the playoffs and LeBron James and the rest of the Cavaliers, though. Johnson played LeBron tough one-on-one in stretches. He averaged eight points and four rebounds per game in the four-game sweep at the hands of the Cavs, shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 60 percent from behind the arc.

Johnson has worked hard and incessantly this offseason on strengthening his weaknesses, such as his jumpshooting and his off-hand. He led the Pistons’ summer league team to a runner-up finish in the Orlando Summer League, averaging 16 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He also worked with the USA Select team preparing Team USA for the Rio Olympics and spent plenty of time at the Drew League in Los Angeles.

We expect Johnson to take a big step forward this season, starting off with a rating of 77 and assuming no injuries we wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish the campaign off with a rating of 79 or 80.

Next: The holdovers

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