The worst player in NBA 2K12? He plays for the Thunder

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Kevin Durant is the sixth best player in NBA 2K12. Russell Westbrook is the 10th best. And between James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha, the Thunder have one of the better rosters in the game.

But they also have the low man on the pole.

Via EOB, the lowest rated player in NBA 2K12 is Lord Byron Mullens, who checks in as a 40 overall. Ouch.

Mullens appeared in 13 games last season (his second), totaled 57 minutes and had a sparkling PER of 3.53. That wasn’t the worst in the league though. That belongs to Hassan Whiteside who checked in with a PER of -17.95. That’s a negative PER.

It wasn’t a great year last season for Mullens though. His season-best game came against the Cavs where he piled up five points, five rebounds and a block in seven minutes. He spent most of the season in Tulsa playing for the 66ers plus has about five good big men in front of him on the Thunder roster. Breaking in hasn’t been easy.

So is Mullens the worst player in the NBA? I suppose there’s a pretty good case for him being that.

At the same time, don’t forget how OKC ended up with Mullens. He was actually acquired from Dallas for Roddy Beaubois on draft night. Before his freshman year at Ohio State, Mullens, a 7-1 center with freakish athletic ability, was seen by most as the top recruit in the country and probably top pick material. He disappointed a bit at Ohio State, slipped down draft boards and Sam Presti saw him as a unique project. Hasn’t panned out yet. And if the Thunder can’t develop him, then I’m not sure anyone can.

The Thunder exercised Mullens last option this spring so he’s on the team at least for another season. I’m on record saying I think he COULD be something, but I’m not sure he ever will. That ability is there. It’s just hard to see him ever turning the corner.

The rest of the bottom five: Chicago Bulls forward Brian Scalabrine (41), Toronto Raptors center Alexis Ajinca (42), Utah Jazz center Kyrylo Fesenko (42) and San Antonio Spurs forward Steve Novak (43).