I tell myself every year I will not stoop to the level of complaining about the hierarchy of virtual basketball players, yet here I am.
Zach LaVine, a recent gold medalist, received an 87 overall, which falls right behind players like Zion Williams, Rudy Gobert, Trae Young, and Khris Middleton.
https://twitter.com/nba2k_uki/status/1428042273581899779?s=20
For those with no skin in the 2K game, an 87 might feel palatable. At the same time, when we consider LaVine finished 2K21 with an 88 overall, this starting point feels … odd. I mean, how can 2K drop a player who earned his first All-Star nod in easily the best season of his career. Not to mention, LaVine was one of only three players to average 26 or more points on 50+ percent shooting from the field and 40+ percent from downtown. The other two players were Kyrie Irving (yet to be announced) and Kevin Durant (96). I’m not trying to imply LaVine should be rated the same as either of these players, but he was easily one of the most efficient and dominant scorers in the league last season, which feels like it should warrant (if anything) a stable playing rating.
Now, I guess it is possible an 87 is still a better version of LaVine relative to this version of the game. Guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James all received just a 96-overall, which seems to imply ratings are down across the board. Still, on the surface, I’m sure Bulls fans will not be too happy to see LaVine start this game lower than he finished the last.
But, hey, at least he still gets his respect as a dunker!
The Top Dunkers in 2K22 💪 Agree or nah? #2KRatings pic.twitter.com/CsKiXoNndt
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 18, 2021
Anyway, for a look at all the ratings that have been announced, go here.