Valley of the Suns
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Predicting the Phoenix Suns player’s 2K19 ratings

By Tim Holstad

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 31: Devin Booker #1 and Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 31, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 31: Devin Booker #1 and Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 31, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 14: Dragan Bender #35 and Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns react during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 14, 2016 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 14: Dragan Bender #35 and Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns react during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 14, 2016 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dragan Bender: 73 (2K18: 72)

The number four overall pick from three years ago has shown flashes in his first couple seasons in the NBA, especially early last year. Bender possesses tantalizing size, footwork, IQ, and skills. Despite what many armchair NBA GM’s think, there’s a reason he was taken as high in the draft as he was.

Those who expected Bender to be a do-everything-superstar are going to be disappointed no matter what.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

With a new regime in charge and an ever-increasing core of talent around him, Bender now has the opportunity to start to flourish with the Phoenix Suns. However, he has to prove it, and thus far in his career his stats really haven’t been where people were hoping for them to be.

There shouldn’t be much of an increase, if any, in his rating in 2K19.

Hopefully he can improve that rating when they update them about halfway through the game, courtesy of a much-improved year. Here’s hoping anyways.

Marquese Chriss – 2K19: 74 (2K18: 73)

After two seasons Marquese Chriss has already had a bit of a roller coaster career. He showed flashes of potential his first season under Earl Watson, but he really seemed to regress last year.

Still, his immense athleticism and relative inexperience leaves a ton of room for improvement, something fans are hoping new coach Igor Kokoskov might be able to extract from ‘Quese.

2K always likes to give rating increases to younger players with upside, regardless of how their previous season was from a statistics standpoint.

A one point increase is pretty generous here, as frankly he could stand to be dropped a point due to his poor 2017-18 play.

This year is kind of the make-it-or-break-it point for both Chriss and Bender. They need to show the team something – anything, really. Stagnation is not an option this season.

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