Sleepers

+ The Key to a Successful 2K Team

Every 2K player knows that the success of their team and franchise is heavily reliant on the role players you put around your stars. Now its easy to draft your well known role players like Tyrus Thomas, Anderson Varejao, Carl Crawford, etc. However, it?s a true art when you can find players that 2K has given ?extraordinary? (loosely used) talents to, even though in real life they are for the most part average NBA players. These ?sleeper? players can make a difference between a league championship and an early playoff departure. Here at menversus.com we have complied a list of our top sleeper players for the upcoming NBA 2K11 season, as well as role players we believe could fly underneath the radar. The list is not in numerical order, so do not emphasize the (numerical) position of each player.

1) Bill Walker- the 6?6 shooting guard, small forward combo was essentially an unknown until he went to the Knicks, and lets just say the people at 2K were very accommodating of his ability. Walker, shot the three pointer with great precision, but also had the ability to effectively slash to the basket. His offensive ability made him a nightmare off the bench for opposing teams.

2) Nicolas Batum- is very similar to Bill Walker, except he is two inches taller, which is great on the defensive side of the ball. Batum is also more athletic then Walker, and has an even more consistent jump shot.

3) Serge Ibaka- is a young center who is very athletic. Ibaka is a good defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. On the offensive side of the ball Ibaka is a solid garbage man who has an above average standing dunk.

4) CJ Watson- had a breakout year last season. In 2K, CJ was one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. CJ is also a solid ball handler, and has a very reliable mid-range shot. However, without a doubt Watson?s biggest asset is his defense, he can give the opposing team fits.

5) Terrence Williams- anyone who used Terrence in 2K10 knows he was freakishly athletic, and was probably one of the top five dunkers in the game. All Terrence needed was a good first step past his defender and he could throw it down on any big man in the game. The downside of Terrence is that he has a below average mid-range jumper, and his three pointer is atrocious. However, those are thing you can improve with development hours.

6) Donte Greene- we first discovered Donte in 2K9 where his 6?11 build made him an incredibly difficult mismatch for an opposing player. Greene?s spin move and ability to finish at the basket were nothing short of incredible. Greene finished 2K10 with a three point rating of an 80, which makes him a complete force on the offensive end. His release might also be the easiest in the game.

7) Mike Miller- a ?dead-eye? shooter from long range, and if Donte Greene doesn?t have the easiest release then Mike Miller does. Expect his ratings to be boosted even higher, since he signed a contact with the Heat.

8) Nick Young- a young speedster with tremendous athletic ability. Young also has a very solid jump shot.

9) Rodrigue Beaubois- is a poor man?s Brandon Jennings as far as 2K is concerned. He has the ability to shoot the three and slash to the basket. Beaubois can play either the one or two, but will definitely be undersized at the two position.

10) JaVale McGee- is a young athletic forward/center who is making noise in the summer league. McGee is a defensive presence, and when taken control of by the player can block a ton of shots. McGee is also extremely athletic, which enables him to run the floor well. His offensive game definitely needs work, but he still gets a fair share of tip ins and dunks.

11) Tracy McGrady- its been four seasons since Tracy Mcgrady had a great year, but that hasn?t stopped 2K from making him one of the deadliest shooters in the game. McGrady?s height at the two position makes it extremely difficult to defend his mid-range jumper. Once you master his release he is essentially unstoppable. He is also one of the most clutch players you can find. His rating will most likely be low in 2K11, but he is certainly someone not to overlook.

As I mentioned in the beginning, these are players that have the ability to slip under the radar come fantasy draft time in your league. Obviously, some players are more prominently known then others, but if 2K10 is any indication of what these players will look like in 2K11, then you won?t want to wait to the late rounds to pick them up.