Projecting The San Antonio Spurs’ NBA 2K17 player ratings

Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

2K Sports’ new basketball game, NBA 2K17, hits the virtual hardwood in September and with it comes a variety of options for hoops fans to enjoy.

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Whether you want to live the life with career mode, or head straight into online play against fellow NBA junkies, you’ll find plenty of shooting, dunking and blocking to go around.

NBA 2K17‘s launch is just around the corner, hitting the market on September 20th. The release of the game have many to consider the unofficial start of the basketball season as it hits store shelves just before training camps open up across the NBA.

Though players have no say in their ratings, and they usually have to wait until the game drops to see their final ratings, Ronnie2K took to twitter to let everyone know that if their players want to know their player ratings, all it takes is a tweet from them.

I took to twitter to try to persuade some of our Spurs players to do so.

@kawhileonard @tonyparker @paugasol @Patty_Mills @manuginobili @KyleAnderson5 @DejounteMurray https://t.co/nByhdXOOXA

— Michael Rehome (@texasgmr) August 23, 2016

Murray did tweet back to Ronnie asking for his rating but it has yet to be seen. We were able to catch a glimpse of San Antonio players rating and it came from Dewayne Dedmon.

It’s bout that time again @NBA2K @Ronnie2K pic.twitter.com/xdmQ6hUgbW

— Dewayne Dedmon (@d_dedmon3) August 25, 2016

Though that is the only real rating that we know from any member of San Antonio, now it is our turn to indulge in our own for the coming game.

The Spurs entered the beginning of last season rated amongst the top of all teams. The buzz all offseason has been about just how great this Spurs roster can be. With six players rated 77 overall or higher (LaMarcus Aldridge – 88, Tim Duncan – 87, Kawhi Leonard – 87, Tony Parker – 83, Manu Ginobili – 78, Danny Green – 77), the depth and top-end talent of the Spurs is second to just one, according to 2K Sports, and that team, the Golden State Warriors.

We’re going to go over each player’s 2K16 opening and closing rating, as well as what we expect them to be rated in 2K17.

Without further-ado, lets get down to the Spurs player projected ratings for the upcoming game by 2K Sports, NBA 2K17.

Next: Tony Parker

Mar 15, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 83 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 79 Rating Change: -4 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 78

Last season 2K were pretty giving on their rating for Tony Parker. Looking back at when the ratings were released, 2K had Parker ranked higher than some of the better players in the game: Bradley Beal (80), Eric Bledsoe (82), Monta Ellis (81), Draymond Green (82) and Andrew Wiggins (80).

The 33-year-old is coming off a productive season. Parker averaged 15.6 points and 6.9 assists. During the 2015-16 season, Parker seemed more of a facilitator then looking for his own shot as he has done in the past.

I think 2K nailed his rating at the end of the year. Though you hate to see players ratings drop, Parker is heading into his 16th season with San Antonio and he is already changing his style of play. I see his passing to rank as one of the top ratings in the game.

Next: Danny Green

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) reacts after a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 82 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 76 Rating Change: -6 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 77

Danny Green took a major drop in his final rating in 2K16. Green is coming off of a season that he hopes he will not have again. Green is a great shooter and 2K recognized that with the ratings they gave him on the offensive side of the ball. Green had a rating of 86 (Standing Shot Three). This and the rest of his shooting ratings will take a dive in 2K17 as he is coming off of a year where he averaged 7.9 points and shot 33 percent from beyond the three-point line.

What may keep his grade at a 77 or even a 78 is his play on defense. Defensively, Green stepped up in absence of his offense. In 2K16, his on-ball defense rating (82) ranked high amongst shooting guards. He also had a shot contest rating of 75.

Hope 2K does not hit him to hard on the rating but I can see him sliding in in the high 70’s.

Next: Kawhi Leonard

May 6, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 87 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 94 Rating Change: +7 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 93

The player that made the biggest jump in player ratings and rightfully so. Kawhi Leonard is coming off of a season where he won Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He also turned into a scoring machine for San Antonio over a season ago. Leonard upped his scoring average from 16.5 to 21.2 during the 2015-16 season. Though many look at him as being the Spurs best defender, he has also changed minds on the other end of the floor with his scoring ability.

What is also scary about Leonard he has developed a three-point shot and doubled his makes from a season ago. Leonard made 129 of his 291 (44 percent) attempts.

His “general” ratings in 2K16. He had three areas where he was rated 95 or better: Hustle (95), lateral quickness (97), stamina (95). Three areas in which I believe will get a boost will be his strength (80), vertical (82) and speed (86).

Leonard’s offensive ratings may get a little boost but I do not see them improving much. His ‘standing shot three’ got a big boost from release. At the end of the season, 2K gave him a 91. I do believe this may go up one or two but nothing major. His passing accuracy (52) and passing vision (46) were really low, would consider those two to go tremendously.

Leonard not only will be the highest ranked player on the Spurs but top 5 on the game in my opinion.

Next: LaMarcus Aldridge

Apr 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends against San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Spurs defeat the Raptors 102-95. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 88 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 89 Rating Change: +1 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 89

LaMarcus Aldridge found himself ranked second amongst power forwards just behind New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis (91) when the final player ratings hit. Looking over ‘general’ area, I can see a little bump in ratings to speed (54), vertical (62) and acceleration (52). Defensively he may also get a pump in block (58) and low post defense (79).

On the offensive side of the ball, Aldridge possesses some good ratings that I see possibly staying put but some areas may get a one or two point bump. Standing shot close (86), mid (85) may get the bump as Aldridge shot 51 percent from the floor during the 2015-16 season.

I would not be surprised if Aldridge came in with high rating.

Next: Pau Gasol

Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 86 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 85 Rating Change: -1 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 83

Amongst centers in 2K, Gasol finished in the top five in the final player ratings. Gasol was signed by the Spurs in the offseason as a free agent. I would not see his ratings getting much of a boost if not any. Offensively his standing shot (85) and mid (88) seem to be where they need to be.

If there is any area on the offensive side I could see getting a bump in rating would possibly be in his passing intelligence (77) and accuracy (53). Gasol is a great passer for a big-man and though I don’t see this going as high in the 80’s, it may get one or two point bump.

Next: Manu Ginobili

Apr 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20, right) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jarell Martin (10, left) defends during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 78 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 80 Rating Change: +2 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 78

Ginobili has been one of my favorite players to play with in the 2K franchises. 2K has done a remarkable job in nailing all his attributes from his euro-step to his smooth jumper, one of the many players that is fun to control in the game.

He ended with an overall rating of 80 which ranked him in the top 10 of all shooting-guards in the game (Danny Green was ranked 30th). I see some changes coming to his ratings on both sides of the ball. Offensively 2K had his rating for standing shot mid at 90. I see that dropping a couple points to 88. Standing shot three (88) may stay where it is at, if anything it may go down one or two points as well.

Ginobili has been a great passer and though he does make the bone-headed passes at times, he still takes care of the ball and has good floor vision. His passing accuracy (71), vision (70) and IQ I can see getting a bump.

Defensively, his on-ball defense should get a bump from 72 to 75. I felt that his defensive consistency rating (65) was too low in 2K16. I see this jumping to at least 70.

I would like Ginobili to receive a 80 rating to start with but I feel age may play a factor, which is why I gave him a 78.

Next: Patty Mills

Feb 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) reacts after a three point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Spurs won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

NBA 2K16 Opening Rating: 74 NBA 2K16 Final Rating: 75 Rating Change: +1 NBA 2K17 Projected Rating: 83

The player in which I see getting the biggest boost of them all is Patty Mills. What Mills has proven not only through the 2015-16 season and the Olympics he is an impact player. Looking over his ratings in the ‘general’ section. One area that will get a boost in ratings is in hustle (70). Every single game, Mills is on the floor running up and down the floor, sideline to sideline with no effects of being tired. He should easily get an 80+ rating in hustle. His stamina (82) should also get a slight boost, I see this jumping to 85.

On the offensive side of ratings. Mills is known for his long distance shooting. 2K knows as they gave him a solid rating of 82 overall in ‘standing shot three’. I also see this bumping up to an 84, possibly 85. His ‘standing shot close’ rating of 68 will also get a bump in my eyes. It is crazy to think he has a better rating from longer than short range. I think 68 is too low for a shooter like himself. See this going up towards the mid 70’s.

Defensively he should also get a ratings boost in ‘on-ball defensive IQ’ (60). Mills has proven that he can play up close with some of the leagues best point guards with his moving feet and able to stay in front of players. His ‘defensive consistency (35)’ is far to low and should get a much needed boost as well.

As I stated, Mills should be the player to get the most ratings boost of all the Spurs players. Come on 2K, show Mills some love.

Next: Other Notable Spurs Players

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Dejounte Murray (Washington) reacts after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs first round draft pick Dejounte Murray will be in the game once it hits shelves. Seeing where some of the rookies have been rated by 2K already, I see Murray coming it at a respectful 74. He has a lot of upside and felt great when he fell down to the Spurs in the draft. There are areas that may hold him back for a higher rating but as you can see, ratings change throughout the year on 2K.

Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons each saw a three point ratings boost from 71 to 73 and 69 to 72 respectively. Both are improving and I do see each increasing in some areas but possibly coming in no higher than 75 overall.

David Lee who played for the Dallas Mavericks last season before signing as a free agent with the Spurs had a overall rating of 75.

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