2K10 Introduction By: 2K Insider | Thursday October 08 2009 Welcome back for year two of the 2K Insider Blog. Most of you are familiar with how this works, but for those of you who are new I’ll briefly explain the purpose of this forum. Throughout the season, I will be releasing roster updates to reflect injuries, trades, lineup changes, ratings changes and anything else that the roster has control over. I encourage you all to post comments about which players are overrated or underrated and why. Do what you can to make your case stronger, such as citing stats and trends rather than just lobbying for your favorite team. Much like the real world, the manner in which you give feedback or make requests can make all the difference. Being obnoxious such as using profanity or name calling will not only be ignored by me, but our moderators will delete your post and most likely ban you from the blog in an attempt to keep this a friendly E rated environment. Lastly, due to the sheer volume of comments, I cannot answer everyone’s comments so please do not take it personal if I don’t address you specifically. So let’s have fun with this and enjoy the upcoming NBA season!
Latest News – Let’s start with one of the biggest names in the NBA over the last decade and a guy who took all summer to find a new home, Allen Iverson. Several teams were rumored to be interested in The Answer, including Charlotte, Miami and New York. However, an unlikely suitor stepped up and signed the former scoring champ in an effort to boost ticket sales. I say unlikely because the Memphis Grizzlies are committed to Michael Conley and O.J. Mayo in the backcourt, so it seems a bit odd to bring in A.I. since it’s probable he will be relegated to 6th man…a role he didn’t exactly embrace in Detroit.
Both David Lee and Nate Robinson re-signed with the Knicks for one year after testing the free agent waters and finding them ice cold. The same was true for Charlotte’s Raymond Felton and Golden State’s C.J. Watson who remained with their respective squads. Perhaps the biggest winner in the Ricky Rubio fiasco was Ramon Sessions who signed a 4 year, $16M offer from Minnesota. With Jonny Flynn learning the NBA ropes, expect Sessions to get the starting nod once the season starts. Flip Murray also found a new home in Charlotte after helping Atlanta advance to the 2nd round last season.
The last thing I want to mention is that injuries were not reflected on the retail roster nor this first update. However, the opening day roster update will take in to account who’s in and who’s out. So no, I did not forget that Yao Ming is out for the year, it was simply a design decision. Likewise, you can also expect me to reset rosters once the season is over like I did for 2K9.
Caron Butler has struggled out the gate averaging 16.8 ppg on 0.397 FG% over 8 games. Perhaps he won't struggle as much when Antawn Jamison finally returns to the lineup.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans has flourished since Kevin Martin went down with injury, averaging 23.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.4 spg. His confidence is sky high right now which bodes well for his eventual return to running point for the Kings.
Passing
3pt %
Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings lit up the Warriors for 55 points Saturday night in a performance that had everyone talking. The Bucks finally got it right and looks to have gotten the steal of the draft this year.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Kaman
The bright spot for the Clippers has been Chris Kaman's improved offense of 21.8 ppg on 0.543 FG%. The NBA recently recognized him by naming Kaman the Western Conference Player of the Week.
Low Post
Block
Los Angeles Lakers - Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is holding it down in the middle for the Lakers with 20.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 1.8 bpg averages. It's nice to finally see the young big man healthy and productive after some unfortunate injuries in recent years.
Low Post
Rebounding
New York Knicks - Toney Douglas
Toney Douglas has provided the Knicks with bench scoring over the last few games. No doubt Mike D'Antoni is frustrated with Chris Duhon's lack of scoring this year.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah is averaging 12.1 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 2.0 bpg and providing a presence in the paint. This is exactly what the Bulls were hoping for when they made him their 2007 lottery pick.
Close-range %
Block
Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert
Second year center, Roy Hibbert, has improved significantly by averaging 12.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.5 bpg. He looks to be in better shape and understands his role better this time around.
Block
Rebounding
Philadelphia 76ers - Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert's production has taken a dip with averages of 6.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Now that Marresse Speights is out for extended time, the Sixers need Sammy D to step it up.
Block
Rebounding
New York Knicks - Chris Duhon
Chris Duhon can't hit the side of a barn, averaging 6.5 ppg on 0.228 FG%. This has allowed Toney Douglas to get significant run in recent games.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Latest News
Golden State Warriors - Kelenna Azubuike
Kelenna Azubuike tore his left patellar tendon and is done for the season. Swingmen Anthony Morrow and Corey Maggette will share the extra minutes.
Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson got his wish and was traded to Charlotte where he gets a fresh start. Acie Law joins him in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic.
Golden State Warriors - Raja Bell
Raja Bell immediately opted for surgery to repair his fractured wrist, thus ending his season. His top priority is to get healthy for free agency rather than play for the lowly Warriors.
Orlando Magic - Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis has finished serving his 10 game suspension and is starting at power forward again. It should take him a couple weeks to work off the rust and get back into game shape.
Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights
Marresse Speights strained the MCL in his left knee and is out 6 to 8 weeks. He had been providing a nice scoring punch off the bench this season.
Portland Blazers - Travis Outlaw
High flyer Travis Outlaw has a stress fracture in his left foot and will miss 3 to 5 months. Rudy Fernandez and Martell Webster are more than capable of picking up the slack.
Memphis Grizzlies - Jamaal Tinsley
The Grizzlies took another gamble and signed troubled point guard Jamaal Tinsley. J.T. had been out of the NBA for over a year so expectations are low.
New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
Chris Paul severely sprained his ankle and is out at least 3 to 4 weeks. Rookie Darren Collison takes over the starting gig with Bobby Brown backing him up
Washington Wizards - Caron Butler
Caron Butler has struggled out the gate averaging 16.8 ppg on 0.397 FG% over 8 games. 
Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans has flourished since Kevin Martin went down with injury, averaging 23.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.4 spg. 
Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings lit up the Warriors for 55 points Saturday night in a performance that had everyone talking. 
Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Kaman
The bright spot for the Clippers has been Chris Kaman's improved offense of 21.8 ppg on 0.543 FG%. 
Los Angeles Lakers - Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is holding it down in the middle for the Lakers with 20.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 1.8 bpg averages. 
New York Knicks - Toney Douglas
Toney Douglas has provided the Knicks with bench scoring over the last few games. 
Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah is averaging 12.1 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 2.0 bpg and providing a presence in the paint. 
Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert
Second year center, Roy Hibbert, has improved significantly by averaging 12.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.5 bpg. 
Philadelphia 76ers - Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert's production has taken a dip with averages of 6.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg. 
Chris Duhon can't hit the side of a barn, averaging 6.5 ppg on 0.228 FG%. 
Golden State Warriors - Kelenna Azubuike
Kelenna Azubuike tore his left patellar tendon and is done for the season. 
Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson got his wish and was traded to Charlotte where he gets a fresh start. 
Raja Bell immediately opted for surgery to repair his fractured wrist, thus ending his season. 
Orlando Magic - Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis has finished serving his 10 game suspension and is starting at power forward again. 
Marresse Speights strained the MCL in his left knee and is out 6 to 8 weeks. 
Portland Blazers - Travis Outlaw
High flyer Travis Outlaw has a stress fracture in his left foot and will miss 3 to 5 months. 
Memphis Grizzlies - Jamaal Tinsley
The Grizzlies took another gamble and signed troubled point guard Jamaal Tinsley. 
New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
Chris Paul severely sprained his ankle and is out at least 3 to 4 weeks. 
