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

# 21 kthekilla @ 05/20/08 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsu_gb23


	I'm not expecting much out of 2K9... 2Ksports is on a major downfall....

what makes you say 2k is on the down? IMO its the strongest its ever been and on the up ( iono how much better it can get than 2k8 ) I bought this game when it came out and i still play it every other day if not everyday.

I think youre confused and got mixed up with the game Madden. That game disgraces the NFL logo.

# 22 catcatch22 @ 05/20/08 09:07 PM

I remember when NBA 2k2 had Jermaine O'neal rated a 90+. This was right before he became worthy of the rating. However that year he was basically a KG clone with the rebounds, points and blocks. Those were the days when they really didn't pay attention to overall but just rated guys to their specific abilities. Which made guys who were great in several categories better than guys who were unstoppable in just a few.

# 23 X*Cell @ 05/21/08 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcatch22


	I remember when NBA 2k2 had Jermaine O'neal rated a 90+. This was right before he became worthy of the rating. However that year he was basically a KG clone with the rebounds, points and blocks. Those were the days when they really didn't pay attention to overall but just rated guys to their specific abilities. Which made guys who were great in several categories better than guys who were unstoppable in just a few.

and I didn't mind those days

... I remember having a starting CPU-created PG and SG in NBA 2k4 that were rated a 62 and a 67, but both were ridiculous behind the arc... they both averaged 17 ppg, and I ended 17-11 (I'm a short season type of guy). That was fun.

# 24 bateman11 @ 05/21/08 05:00 PM

I can't believe you guys don't think Gay deserves that rating. Someone said his defense would bring it down? WTF? He is a monster on both ends. Aldridge, probably around 85. Turkaglu desevres that rating, no doubt. Roy does as well.

# 25 X*Cell @ 05/21/08 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bateman11


	I can't believe you guys don't think Gay deserves that rating. Someone said his defense would bring it down? WTF?

agreed... his defense is actually an asset to his game... I don't know where that even came from... someone who doesn't watch the Grizzlies obviously.

# 26 DC @ 05/21/08 05:41 PM

LOL @ Seriously believing an 89 isn't too much for Rudy.

90 is elite. The BEST in the league are 90+.

Rudy go isn't even in the 2nd tier of wings in the league yet, but he deserves an 89?

His defense has been criticized since his days @ UCONN and is STILL being criticized.

But according to yall he gets it done @ both ends.

Yea ok

# 27 age144 @ 05/22/08 11:35 PM

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2

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i think nba 2k9 needs harder competition bc i can beat a team on superstar just as easy as i can on rookie.
also needs better shot forms for kobe and dirk and garnett. they shoot to slow and the same way every time.
also olympic teams
also the teams need to play different they all play the same the suns should shoot more 3's the warriors should run and shoot and the pistons should go to rasheed and drive.
the crowd should get loud as the home team is on a run
the crowd should boo the other team like they boo kobe
i would like better dribbles and more dunks and more shots instead of the same moves
also needs alley hoops and better alley hoops
the big man should have more moves
i want to palm the ball and move without the ball and change dribble hands in open court
i want defense to collapse and if lebron is driving dunk and if parker is a lay up
it need to be more real shaq should be able to back down tony parker
i wish everyone did not shoot the same.
kobe and lebron should be able to drive easier
chris paul and toney parker and barbosa should be fairly quicker and faster than most guards and should be able to get in the paint.
and if someone drives they should change up their shot if a defender comes
also kobe needs to celebrate if he takes over in the 4th quarter
and if someone messes up or throws a ball away the veterans need to pull them aside and school them
the coaches and players should get more camera time
and at halftime the highlights should actually move
and i'd like a live recap of the game and if a rookie steps up say it and if a veterans takes over say it.
and if i trade lebron for paul pierce i'd like to hear about in the next game
and the real season should be better.
i'd like to go to practice and actually play.
and the all star game should be better and a 3 point shooting contest is needed and and slam dunk contest.
every time a time out is called it should not be the same thing i want to see the urgeny on the players face.
and if i win a championship by a blow out (which i shouldn't) the players should not jump up like i hit a last second shot (it should be a difference)
i want better graphics the ball should not go through players hands
they should be more athletic they all stand straight up when they dribble
and in a fast break i want to take clear path fouls
I'd like more emotions definetely in the playoffs
i want techinal fouls from players and the coaches.
i like a fight every nowandthen
and i'd like to hear how good a defender bowen isor how fast chris paul is or good a closer kobe is during a game
and i'd like to hear about rivalrys during a game for example when raja bell is guard kobe and picks up a foul the commentator should say "there is some history between these 2"
and kobe should be able to pass in traffic around someones head or be able to stop and rise over defenders on a dime
and if kobe is guard lebron the commentator should say "he doesn't wont to pick up a foul"
the commentators should say more lines for differnent people and show more emotions at the end of a game if it is close like "what a huge shot by the rookie or kobe is hot"
i'd like to see mutombo's finger wag or shaq flex his muscles or players jump on the floor and hit camera men and jump over the desk
and if someone gets a hard foul i'd like to see a bit more chippy play during the whole game when they guard eachother
i'd like to see famous people in the crowd like jay z in new jerseyor eva longoria parker or jack nichalson in l.a.
i'd like to see commisioner stern be interview during a game if a brawl breaks out
and i'd like more camera views close ups and far
i'd like to hear how kobe has a drive to be better than micheal jordan
and speaking of micheal jordan bring him back
also if possible a d league
and if a player has struggled to make it to the nba i'd like to hear it
and the draft should be seen and scouting should be seen
and i like to hear about how the rookies are doing or if last game gilbert areanas hit a game winner
i'd like to hear about kobe vs shaq or lebron vs wizards and deshawn stevenson
i'd like to see flops and rip running off curls the WHOLE game
and see spectacular dunks by lebron and vince carter
i'd really like the stars to step up and hit 45 or 50 and really carry a team
and i'd like to see alleys from paul to chandler
and i'd like hard defense from the spurs and detroit.
and i'd like them to make shots and runner faster without me moving up all their attributes
but mainly more varitey of shots and dribbles
i'd like to see more defense sets
i'd like to be hard to win in utah
i'd like to hear the crowd and see little kids dancing if a player hits a big basket
i'd also like it if anyone could be you on any given night for example if lindsey hunter comes off the bench and hits 30 and plays good defense
and i'd like to hear about replacements if a starter goes out or get suspended
and i'd also like to hear how the player got hurt in the last game
i'd like to hear more about a player struggling like "man he has to get it going if they want to win
and i'd like to hear about strategy like if kobe wants to be a passer or a scorer or if in the first half lebron is 1 of 5 and now he has stepped up and is now 9 of 14
i'd like to hear about gyms or teams where for example lebron plays bad in or against and bring up the numbers and stats from the previos games
i'd like a funny good halftime show like charles barkley kenney the jet and marv and actually show moving footage.
i'd like to see better pre game rituals for example the commentator hyping up the crowd chanting defense defense and the monitor should play things like the bulls when the bull comes out and runs or in a game or when a home team is being announced the crowd should go crazy and then boo the other team
i'd like to see high fives from the crowd and players or if chauncey billup gets a big bucket the team runs and grabs him
and i'd like to hear nick names like big shot bob or ai
i like to hear random facts and lots of them like denver has no defense or reggie miller keys for the other team
i want more put back and charges and better defense and better offense from the computer they are wayyyy to easy
i'd like to hear about rookies and their transition like kevin love fitting in to the nba or "i would not leave him open"
i like to see more pick and rolls from chris paul and tony parker and i want them to be unguardable and quick
i want to be shook be kobe he is to easy to guard
i want to get dunk on by lebron if if gets mad and if he hits a big shot i want the crowd to stand up and wave theirs rags
i want to be pick on defense
i want the computer to blow by me
i want dirk of drive if he cant hit a shot and i want to see a better quicker shot by him
i want baron davis to drive by me and hit a contested shot at the rim like he does so well
i want d wade to run like a cheetah and dunk
i want different dunks and dribbles and cross overs and step backs and a ship load of post moves
i want tim duncan to bank it off the glass if i dont play him close
i want ben wallace and lebron to to block really hard and good
i want teams to step up and make runs and get to the rim and and and 1's
i want more urgency by teams like when a 1:00 minutes comes i want teams to play hard defense and barely let me get the ball in
i want other teams not to let kobe get the ball on a inbounds play
i want hard hard hard double teams on the stars
i want kobe to make unbelievable shots in the game and down the strech
it's to easy to win and score and block shots
i want tashayn prince to play really hard defense and block my shot
i want real life shots by players and even free throws
i want to see halftime shows
i want the teams to play harder in the playoffs and i want the finals to be a different experience than anything else
i want last second time outs to set up plays
i want to see different reactions in time outs and sweat and players putting their hands on their knees if they are tired like t mac
i want to see laughter on the bench if a team is up by 30
i want to see kobe and shaq shake hand at the beginning and end of games
and i want to see the referees pose
i want to see atlanta play run and gun and give the ball to joe johnson in the half court and josh smith through down the sickest dunks
i want teams to get the ball to stars down the stretch and if lebron gets hot i want them to try hard to get him the ball or if im playing with him i want them to deny him the ball with double and triple teams
i want to be able to change kobe bryant shoes if i want to i want more control for example i want to put legands on my team
i want to hear about how hard the game would be without billups leadership
i want more hustle and sliding and bumping and falling and hard hard fouling
i want to be able to tell when i'm in the regular season and finals
i want teams to play hard at the end of the season if they are trying to make the playoffs
i want kobe to get pumped up and look at the crowd
mvp chants and boo's are a must please
i want kobe and phil to talk to each other of hear the commentator say "kobe needs to be put back in the game" if the other team goes on a run.
i want pau gasol to play with finese like he does and dwight howard to slam it every chance he gets like he does
i want billups to put me on the block if i am playing with nelson
i want to see player get lane violations when shaq is on the line and i want to see lebron through up the white powder at the beginning
i want to see free throw lines at the beginning of the games
mostly i want the computer to play really hard and have better dribbles graphics and stars step up and better defense and offense and crowd participation and technical fouls and coaches getting mad and trash talking and more dunks and quicker guards
and players following the referees around after every foul please

# 28 CFav @ 05/26/08 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X*Cell


	agreed... his defense is actually an asset to his game... I don't know where that even came from... someone who doesn't watch the Grizzlies obviously.

Ummm, yeah, Gay has the TOOLS to be a defensive MONSTER, but defense requires effort, and that is something that Gay does not give on D... I wonder which Gay others see on TV? Blocks and steals are not necesarily a good indicator of defensive play. Just look at KG. Not necesarily racking up blocks and steals, but is the reigning DPOY...

# 29 naama @ 05/26/08 06:41 PM

Richard Jefferson should be rated in the upper 80's, maybe 87-88, not 80 that he's got now. Flat out the most underrated player (and also the best player to trade for, because of extremely low trade value) in the game.

# 30 X*Cell @ 05/26/08 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naama


	Richard Jefferson should be rated in the upper 80's, maybe 87-88, not 80 that he's got now. Flat out the most underrated player (and also the best player to trade for, because of extremely low trade value) in the game.

I always suck with Richard Jefferson and that's why I agree that he should be rated higher. He is far too underrated.

# 31 beauboy00 @ 05/30/08 01:51 AM

i just want a nfl 2k5 style halftime show

it WAS done 4 years ago on last gen...

# 32 OdenRoyLMA @ 06/02/08 06:31 PM

Gay rated higher than Roy? No way. Roy is way better than Gay. It's easy to put up 20 points a game when you play on a crappy Grizzlies team that gets blown out every night. All Gay does is score, Roy is a complete player who can score at will. Plus he's an all-star.

Roy should be 89-90. Gay should be 87-88

# 33 OdenRoyLMA @ 06/02/08 06:39 PM

I was pissed off last year when Gay had the same rating as Roy, because he was no where near as good as Roy was, AND STILL ISN'T!

NO ONE ON A 20 WIN TEAM DESERVES AN 89 RATING. PERIOD.

Seriousy, I'm starting to think the producers of this game have a hard-on for Gay.

# 34 bateman11 @ 06/02/08 11:19 PM

Did anyone see age144's post? Wtf? You and arab need to get to school man.

# 35 X*Cell @ 06/02/08 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OdenRoyLMA


	I was pissed off last year when Gay had the same rating as Roy, because he was no where near as good as Roy was, AND STILL ISN'T! NO ONE ON A 20 WIN TEAM DESERVES AN 89 RATING. PERIOD. Seriousy, I'm starting to think the producers of this game have a hard-on for Gay.

they certainly have a hard-on for any player on the Golden State Warriors. San Fran area or not... every single player is overrated, thus the Warriors are always a superpower in those games year after year.

# 36 Batman18 @ 06/10/08 07:19 PM

Andre Iguodala gotta be bumped up to. Him and Andre Miller. Lou Williams too. There is a lot of ppl out there who should be bumped up.

# 37 dragonsruleme @ 06/11/08 02:44 AM

Roy will be rated highly because of his all round game, the same with Turkoglu. They both can shoot, pass, defend, rebound etc.

# 38 DDomino31 @ 06/17/08 11:43 AM

Damn...I know Aldrigde is good but better than Roy. I think Royo should be 90 and Aldridge stays 89.

# 39 DC @ 06/17/08 12:13 PM

LOL Why should Aldridge be an 89?

Look at ratings as Grades. You think Aldrige is a B+ student?

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

I would have Aldridge at 86-87 and Roy at 89-90. the last month of the season Aldridge took his game to a whole different level and was completely dominating on a nightly basis.

The thought of Gay being ranked over Roy is pure comedy.

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