As always, a new iteration of the NBA 2K franchise is out and with it comes discussions about how the players are rated. There are a few players who some feel have perfect overalls but there are another handful that gamers feel were given the wrong score.
In some cases, players were given an overall rating that comes across as being higher than it should and in other situations, players are rated lower than they likely deserve. It could be from a multitude of factors including great players who are rated like average ones or legends who are oddly not rated on par with their counterparts.
Too High: Donte DiVincenzo (78)
To be fair, a 78 rating isn't exactly among the highest in the game but it's still likely a bit too much for Donte DiVencenzo of the Milwaukee Bucks. That's not to say that he's lacking as a player but he's just not really on par with the production of other players ranked in the same neighborhood as him.
For example, DiVincenzo put up solid numbers (10.4ppg, 5.8rpg) and played stout defense but he's not someone you'd expect to be ranked in the same area as shooters like Tyler Herro and Buddy Hield, or defenders like Draymond Green. He's a good player on a championship team but not quite on the verge of stardom.
Too Low: Dwyane Wade (97)
On the same thought process, a 97 overall is certainly one of the highest a player can receive. In fact, it's more than any active player has in NBA 2K22 since the highest rated among current players are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Steph Curry, all tied at 96.
Still, Dwyane Wade's 97 feels a bit low given who he is. Wade is widely considered one of the three greatest shooting guards in league history behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. With them having a 99 and 98 rating, respectively, Wade at 97 seems okay. However, it ties him with the likes of Walt Frazier and Steve Nash, who while great, aren't in Wade's class.
Too High: Kristaps Porzingis (84)
In terms of talent and skills, Kristaps Porzingis is a true "unicorn" as his frame and talent on the court are rare. He stands at just about 7'3" but can shoot like a guard and handle the ball while also blocking a lot of shots. The issue is that it hasn't worked out well for him in Dallas recently.
Reports swirled that Porzingis was unhappy with Luka Dončić dominating the ball but that's what Dallas needs to be successful. While Luka was having a phenomenal Playoff series against the Clippers, Porzingis basically disappeared. His numbers were down across the board, including falling from 20.1ppg to 13.1 and from 8.9rpg to 5.4.
Too Low: Andre Drummond (79)
Everyone understands that Andre Drummond is not at the top of his game anymore but that's not to say that he fell off hard enough to rank near the bottom of the league's starting big men. He might no longer lead the league in rebounding but he still grabbed 12 per game.
That puts him in the upper echelon of big men, yet his rating is one reserved for players who don't often step onto the court or have as much of an impact. Drummond also added in just about 15 points per game and did it all while playing less than 25 minutes per game, which is impressive.
Too High: Michael Porter Jr. (84)
Michael Porter Jr. is a young small forward who entered the league with high hopes as he's very talented and seems on pace to be a major star. Injuries hurt him as a rookie, he played well as a sophomore, and was even better last season, raising his scoring average by about 10 points.
His uptick in overall is understandable but 84 might be going a bit high. This puts him alongside Jamal Murray, Jrue Holiday, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum, who are all considered above him on the court and even have things like All-Star bids and NBA championships on their resumes.
Too Low: Anthony Edwards (81)
Although many agreed that LaMelo Ball was the right choice for the NBA Rookie of the Year, there was one serious contender who gave him a real run for his money. That would be the #1 overall pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards. The shooting guard came on strong with a fantastic second half.
With averages of 19.3ppg and 4.7rpg, Edwards ended up doing great things for Minnesota. He had big scoring games, was at the center of highlight-reel plays, and is a fast rising star. That 81 rating isn't doing him justice, and the same could honestly be said about Tyrese Haliburton, who is in a similar boat.
Too High: Kyle Anderson (78)
Like DiVencenzo, Kyle Anderson has an overall of 78. That's not nearly in consideration among the best players in the league but it still might be a bit much for Anderson, who has never really stepped up in a major way in the league. To be fair, this past season was his best work.
Anderson put up 12.4ppg, which was the highest of his career. Though that's promising, his previous high was only 8.0ppg and he's 27 years old, which is considered the prime of a player's career. There's a chance Anderson continues to ascend but as of right now, he likely shouldn't be in the realm of Joe Harris or Tyler Herro.
Too Low: Russell Westbrook (86)
Honestly, this one is that almost comes across as a slap in the face. Russell Westbrook isn't just one of the best players in the league but he's also one of the greatest to ever step foot on a basketball court. Before him, only one person averaged a triple-double for an entire season.
Now, Westbrook has managed to do so a whopping four times in the past five seasons. While there are holes in Westbrook's game, he is unabashedly himself and always plays hard. To give an 86 rating makes no sense considering how great of a player the point guard actually is.
Too High: Ben Simmons (84)
Entering NBA 2K21, it felt like Ben Simmons was rated a bit too high. He had mostly plateaued, especially offensively, and his rating is still high now that a new game is out, even if it's a lower score overall. That's because instead of standing pat offensive, it seems like Simmons has regressed.
His regular season was still strong but once it became Playoff time, Simmons basically disappeared. Against the Hawks, Simmons didn't average double-digits, barely shot in the fourth quarter, looked afraid to take shots, and set a record by hitting only 33% of his free throws. Now, teams don't even seem to want him around.
Too Low: Trae Young (89)
Basically the total opposite of Ben Simmons, Trae Young has never been afraid to take a big shot. In fact, it was Simmons's 76ers that Young sent packing in the Playoffs with 29.0ppg, 10.9apg, and a barrage of clutch three-pointers. It helped make Young one of the league's true stars.
Happy to be the villain on the road, Young will take every important shot to quiet down a crowd. He's a lethal scorer and an exquisite passer, ranking near the top in both categories. An 89 is a good rating but Trae Young feels like he played his way into the 90+ club for sure.