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Portland Trail Blazers: Predicting 2017-18 player ratings in NBA 2K18

By Raymond Simms

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 22: Players of the Portland Trail Blazers stand for the national anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 22, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 22: Players of the Portland Trail Blazers stand for the national anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 22, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /

Shooting Guards

C.J. McCollum: 86 (+1)

Evan Turner: 74 (0)

Pat Connaughton: 71 (+1)

While Damian Lillard gets much of the spotlight, C.J. McCollum also had a great 2016-17 campaign. He came away with career highs in points per game (23.0), rebounds per game (3.6) and field goal percentage (48.0). McCollum led the league in free throw percentage (91.2 percent) and was seventh in 3-point percentage (42.1 percent). Both percentages were also career highs.

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McCollum started 2K17 with an 83 rating, but his strong play bumped him to an 85 by the end of the season. That strong play along with high expectations to continue producing may lead to a bump heading into 2K18’s release.

Allen Crabbe‘s departure has likely made Evan Turner the backup shooting guard heading into 2017-18. Turner took a step back in his first year in Portland, partly sidetracked by a mid-season hand injury. His PER dropped 2.2 and he contributed 2.8 fewer win shares in 2016-17 than he did in 2015-16. Turner’s step back will likely leave him with a stagnant rating in 2K18.

Pat Connaughton is still a Portland Trail Blazer despite speculation that baseball could be in his immediate future. However, he’s still a Blazer because the front office postponed his July 25 cut day to Aug. 31. He’s not out of the woods yet.

However, Connaughton made some strides in 2016-17, improving his PER by 7.2 from his rookie year. That alone would justify a minimal bump in overall rating for the athletic 2-guard.

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