The NBA Roster Project

So we've finally done it after talking about it for so long. After complaining about how bad the rosters of most sports games are, we've decided to take the high road and be part of the solution. We've decided to rate every NBA player using a System that we've devised that is quick, accurate and allows for ratings that are as objective as possible. And while OVR rating has often not been a true indicator of a player's value--we believe we can change that.



The first thing we'd like to stress is that our system isn't perfect. No system will never be. However, since our goal is accuracy, completeness, speed, impartiality and speed, we think what we've come up with is a great tool. In the end, we want to rate every player in the league accurately, update those ratings and do monthly roster updates. We use stats to generate 90% of a players rating, then use intangibles and scouts opinions for the other 10%. While stats will never tell the whole story, keep in mind all they are is production in numerical form. Its our belief that the other intangibles and scouts that watch the players will do a great job giving us a better understanding of a person's current level of play. Lastly, for accuracy we use a player's last three seasons (with the most emphasis on the current season) to see an accurate sample of their consistency and recent level of play. It makes no sense to rate Gibert Arenas as Agent Zero or act as if TMac is still in Orlando/Houston. And doesn't it just seem "off" when Dirk doesn't have a 90 rating? Ratings shouldn't be career achievement awards. They're an accurate representation of a players current level of play over an extended period.


The current ratings system seems to cater too heavily to the high profile teams/players. We rate players based on their production since it can be truly objective. Consistency is #1 on our list: One good season won't earn a player an elite rating, and we won't be swayed by a single standout performance..even Tony Delk has a 50pt game on his resume. A high level of play early in a player's career will cause them to be rated higher/faster than someone who is a 6-year vet and finally breaks through with a good season. Its also our belief that instead of one person trying to rate every player in the NBA, it makes more sense to have one scout per team with a person who is objective, well-versed in our rating system and the team they're rating. These scouts can really tell you what players are improving, declining, average, good or elite.

Want to be part of our project as a Team Scout? GREAT. Keep in mind the first thing you'll need to embrace is our ratings scale.We rate on a scale that is very similar to what the 2K Insider uses, except we feel that we've slotted players more accurately.

99 - Michael Jordan

97-98 - Hall of Famers (Bird, Magic, Wilt, Olajuwon)
96 - Contemporary Best in the league (Lebron)
90+ Elite Players only (Chris Paul, Wade, Carmelo, Durant)
86-89 Players on the cusp of elite, consistent all-star level players (Kevin Love)
85 - Established Player with at least 3 years of high-level play or two outstanding years
80-84 - Players considered Good. At least one full season of high level play (Josh Smith, Iguodala, Joe Johnson)
75-79 Above-average/Solid. But players that lack consistency. (Paul George, Jameer Nelson)
70-74 Average NBA starter (Jeff Teague, Darren Collison, Jeremy Lin)
60-69 Average rotation bench players/1st round draft picks
50-59 2nd round draft picks/ out of rotation bench players
40-49 End of the roster players, NBDL callups, rookie free agents, extremely limited players (Jason Collins)

You'll notice we don't rate active players higher than a 96. We've reserved those for Hall of Famers and All-Time Greats. Next you'll notice that we only rate players who have shown some level of consistency higher than 80. A rating of 85+ is even more rare. You'll see that we rate most "average" NBA starters from 70-74, better than average or solid players in the 75-79 range and your bench player that sees regular minutes in the 60s. Out of rotation bench players are rated from 50-59 and players with extremely limited skill-sets are rated from 40-49.

Where we differ from many systems is our rating of rookies. We simply don't give them starter ratings until they earn them (made entirely possible by roster updates) We rate 1st Rounders from 60-69, 2nd Rounders from 50-59 and rookie free agents and NBDL call-ups in the 40-49 range.

Why? you're asking. Its an issue of Consistency and Accuracy. These players haven't done anything in the NBA. They've never dribbled a ball in the league. How in God's name could we rate Jimmer Fredette higher than say, JJ Redick? Because ESPN says so? Redick has actually played in the league (at an average level--but still) whereas Fredette is nothing but "potentially" great. Guys like that fail to meet expectations every year, so we feel its our duty to give them a baseline rating until they actually do something. For every Lebron James, there's a Greg Oden, Jonathan Bender, Marcus Fizer and Hasheem Thabeet. So trust us, nothing is guaranteed. We don't give ratings for potential. Only performance and production will be rewarded.

In the end we think the reward will be the most accurate, comprehensive roster ever created. Can you imagine a roster that rates every player correctly? We can't because we've never seen one. Rosters these days are done by small teams or individuals who too often rate a guy based on perception/reputation instead of facts/reality. We aim to change that. Interested in joining our project as a Team Scout? Wonderful. Email us at magww@live.com for details.