2K Sports just released their rankings of the top 100 NBA players for their next game, NBA 2K25. Despite the fact that overall rating numbers are arbitrary, league players, from role players to superstars, have historically demonstrated a concern for their position in the game’s hierarchy (sometimes in amusing ways).
If players genuinely care about how they rank among their peers, then four NBA stars should be highly eager to prove those game makers wrong.
1. Nikola Jokic.
Starting at the top, the reigning NBA MVP and consensus greatest player in the game maintains his throne… but now he shares it with Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. All three players enter the year ranked 97th overall.
Jokic’s total rating fell from 98 to 97. Despite adding a third MVP trophy to his hardware collection and demonstrating no indications of deterioration in any talent, he was not given a rating that placed him clearly at the top.
If Jokic wasn’t already driven by failing to win his first NBA title in 2023, he should be disappointed that he isn’t ranked #1.
2) Jimmy Butler
Injuries play a role in determining ratings, and Butler ended the season on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the Play-In last season. Butler had the worst dip in overall performance among the top 25 players in the league because he was unable to exhibit his alter ego “Playoff Jimmy” in the postseason.
Butler, who currently has an overall rating of 89, is looking up to guys such as Kyrie Irving and Tyrese Haliburton. Being more polished offensively helps both cases, but neither has ever demonstrated the ability to lead a club to the NBA Finals as the person, much less twice.
When healthy and given the opportunity in the postseason, Butler has consistently demonstrated his actual value as a borderline top-10 player. Currently sitting below the top 20 is too much disrespect to the Miami Heat’s leader.
3. Scottie Barnes After the Toronto Raptors moved away OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam at the trade deadline, Barnes rose to become an excellent offensive and defensive wing player.
Barnes set career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks as he carried a rebuilding club and was named an All-Star replacement. Despite his All-Star status, Barnes received a lower grade than some expected. He was ranked 15 spots lower than the following All-Star, Karl Anthony-Towns.
Having tertiary team members with fewer responsibilities, such as Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Jalen Williams, just above Barnes seemed unjust. This will be enough contempt for 2021’s fourth overall choice to keep shocking everyone with his rise in basketball talents.
4) James Harden
As a previous MVP, Harden must be feeling the most slighted by the publication of this year’s ratings. Moving down from 89 last season to 84 now calls his superstar track record and height into question.
It’s difficult for an offensive mastermind like Harden to see himself playing alongside younger rising stars like Jalen Green and Jarrett Allen. When asked about fans’ concerns about his decline in rating, the 10-time All-Star contradicted his customary aggressive off-court style and firmly stated, “I’m going to show them on the court. I don’t much care about my rating.”
