NBA 2k20 Ratings Revealed: Who’s The Best In The Game?

NBA 2k20 Ratings Revealed: Who’s The Best In The Game?

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by | Jul 16, 2019 | Featured, NBA

In what had become easily the most memorable and tumultuous NBA offseason in recent memory, or maybe ever, the anticipation and impatience for basketball to get back on television has seldom been higher. As per the tradition of every offseason, the hard-working folks at 2k Sports are cooking up their annual iteration of the game of basketball in virtual form.

NBA 2k20 is practically right around the corner and fans of the game, and NBA players alike, cannot wait to take to the sticks to play as their favorite team and players, create their own MyPlayers, control NBA franchises in GM Mode and much more.

Ronnie Singh, known as “Ronnie 2k”, the curator of the NBA 2k brand, recently took to Twitter to inform the 2k community of their widely anticipated rating show, showcasing the official ratings of the 20 best players in our 2020 iteration of virtual basketball on the Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4. Ronnie and his game-developing partner in crime, Chris Manning, let their fans

It has become a yearly tradition of Ronnie’s this time of year to drop some exquisite in-game screenshots and debate-inciting numerical grades on the league’s most prominent players. And accordingly, shock, jubilation, and contempt are felt by each and all fanbases around the NBA as they catch wind of their favorite player either being snubbed from the 90 club, being severely underrated or having an inaccurately-high rating.

Nonetheless, check below to see where your favorite players lie on the best-in-the-game scale. With a new year approaching, some numbers may pop out more than others so do not (or do, they’re your favorite players anyway) be surprised how 2k rated the game’s best hoopers in their new game.

2k20’s 20 Best Ballers

Year after year, LeBron James has been unanimously dubbed the best player in the world, and according to NBA 2k, he is still considered to be the most lethal player in the video game.

News flash: he still is.

Coming into his 17th season, the astoundingly conditioned King of Basketball is the best player to use in the game. James will be a 97 overall, which is a one-point improvement from his 96 overall rating in 2k19. This rating follows his one-year hiatus from the top spot, since 2k19 standard cover athlete and 2018-19 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, heralded the spot a year ago.

Just below LeBron (but not by much) stands his new roommate of sorts in LA’s Staples Center in Kawhi Leonard. The two-way dynamo brought some extra company to California by acquiring Paul George, on the same exact night he committed to the Clippers over the Raptors and LeBron’s Lakers. Yet this year, he is more than ready and willing to challenge LeBron for the throne in LA. Leonard eclipsed his “system player” adage this year by winning a title over the behemothic Golden State Warriors in one of the most impressive individual postseason runs anyone has ever seen and has evolved into being a trusted, all-around threat that can transform a franchise into a contender in a matter of a season.

Leonard also earned a 97 overall rating, which means by year’s end, basketball fans of all sorts will hopefully be treated to not only the Battle of Los Angeles and a pantheonic battle for the ages but the first-ever neutral western conference finals in league history.

Right after those two is the current league’s Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo with a 96 overall rating. The Bucks’ homegrown superstar put up historically gaudy numbers this year, nearly earning both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, as he had the second-highest defensive rating in the 2018-19 season (only behind the Heat/Trailblazer’s Hassan Whiteside).

It is debatable conveying the point that Giannis felt the sting of the cover curse, as he has his best season as a professional basketball player. Antetokounmpo took to social media on Sunday to follow one measly request to Bucks fans next year: do not call him “MVP” just yet.

Here is the complete list of the 20 best-rated players in NBA 2k20.

1. LeBron James, 97 overall

2. Kawhi Leonard, 97

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 96

4. Kevin Durant, 96

5. James Harden, 96

6. Stephen Curry, 95

7. Anthony Davis, 94

8. Paul George, 93

9. Damian Lillard, 92

10. Joel Embiid, 91

11. Kyrie Irving, 91

12. Nikola Jokic, 90

13. Russell Westbrook, 90

14. Klay Thompson, 89

15. Karl-Anthony Towns, 89

16. Jimmy Butler, 88

17. Kemba Walker, 88

18. Donovan Mitchell, 88

19. Rudy Gobert, 88

20. Blake Griffin, 88

NBA 2k20’s Best Dynamic Duos

Ronnie 2k and Chris Manning also announced the averaged total overalls of the league’s five-best dynamic duos at the beginning of the rating broadcast, which was live on Twitter. A league that changes more than a fitting room at a clothing store, the NBA was welcomed to two new duos for fans to enjoy watching and playing as in 2k20 when the game gets released to the public in September. So many superstars teamed up this year to create a new sense of leverage in the league, so that the era of big threes and superteams takes a backseat to the re-emergence of impactful all-star duos, seemingly all throughout the league.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie teamed in Brooklyn, the Klutch Sports business conglomerates in LeBron and Anthony Davis plan to sell out the Staples Center this offseason, Russell Westbrook reunited with his former Thunder buddy James Harden in Houston, and those are just to name a few of the superstars teaming up to contend for a title in the most open field to do so in nearly a decade. Check out below who made the top-five list of the best “Dynamic Duos” in NBA 2k20.

NBA 2k20’s Highest Rated Rookies

This year is just like every other year when fans of struggling teams can only hope that a rookie is talented enough to flip the fortune and future of their NBA franchise in their first years as pros. In the draft this year, we are being treated to one of the deepest draft classes at just about every position, and the kids that are coming into the league plan to make the most tectonic of impacts as they take to an NBA court for the first time. In the long wait for 2k20’s release, Ronnie 2k and Chris Manning additionally dropped the ratings for the top 5 best rookies to be in the game.

NBA 2k20 is set to release on all consoles (Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch) on September 6, 2019.

Jul 16, 2019 No Comments
Russell Westbrook Traded To Houston Rockets – Full Trade Details

Russell Westbrook Traded To Houston Rockets – Full Trade Details

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by | Jul 12, 2019 | Featured, NBA

James Harden’s most recent post-game presser came by way of a crushing game 6 loss to the Golden State Warriors in this year’s Western Conference semifinal, and the perennial all-star guard descended some ambiguous quotes to journalists in his exit speech.

“I know exactly what we need to do. We’ll figure it out this summer.”

On July 11, 2019, The Houston Rockets figured it out, and all they had to do was exile their 9-time all-star point guard to the Oklahoma City Thunder to get a familiar face. That is, to James Harden, at least.

Regardless of whatever media-fabricated fallacy written about Chris Paul and James Harden’s failing relationship, speculation was put to rest at around 8 p.m. when 11-year Thunder veteran Russell Westbrook was traded from the very franchise that heralded him to the Houston Rockets, ultimately reuniting him with his former Thunder cohort in Harden. Paul, on the other hand, was promptly discarded to the Thunder as a result of the trade.

Call it creating cap space by shedding a massive 3 year, $159 million contract for an aging-yet-productive 34-year-old, or call it a means of accentuating the dismay Harden had for the 9-time all-star by Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey committing to Harden long-term as the franchise cornerpiece, and finally separating the two that showed their “differences of opinion” throughout the season.

The Rockets, on Thursday evening, moved on from what felt like a period of hope for the Rockets and their pursuit of beating rival Golden State with a star-studded backcourt and look to a new duo of two former league MVPs to run Mike D’Antoni’s drive-kick favorable and pick and roll-heavy motion offense.

The Miami Heat had also been in contention for Westbrook’s services, but both the Heat and Thunder could not reach an agreement in the recent days due to Miami’s reluctance to include their younger players in a trade package. The Thunder wanted to do right by Westbrook and accepted his preferred destination of Houston after a tumultuous offseason that involved the trading of all-star and MVP runner up Paul George to the Clippers.

Westbrook stood around, time after time, trade after trade, and stayed loyal to the Thunder. The time has finally come for Westbrook to look for a new location to contend for a title right away. And the 30-year-old guard does not have any longer to stick around for another rebuild.

Westbrook, widely dubbed as the king of triple-doubles, will more than likely replace Paul as the primary ball-handler in the system, potentially relegating Harden back to his natural shooting guard spot. We have yet to see if the old OKC chemistry will still be there and if the two can coexist on the floor at the same time. What is known, however, is that myriad of toxicity that hung over the Rockets heads all year like a dark cloud will finally pass, now that Paul is out of the picture.

Oklahoma City did not walk away from this trade with just Chris Paul along, as there is still a bevy of first-round picks for 2020 and beyond at Thunder GM Sam Presti’s disposal, all of which materialized themselves throughout this free agency period.

As the Brodie takes his talents to Houston to pair up with his good friend in Harden, add this to the list of blockbuster deals in what has felt like the most shocking offseasons in NBA history. For once, it feels as if the league is without a domineering big three of sorts for the first time in quite a while.

The 2019-2020 season is gearing up to be one of the most parity-filled, exciting and unpredictable years in recent memory and with Westbrook heading down the border to H-Town, that parity could either increase, making the West that much more difficult to win, or decrease, if Harden and Westbrook’s styles of play are not dynamic enough to make each other better.

Jul 12, 2019 No Comments
The New Face of Los Angeles Basketball? Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers

The New Face of Los Angeles Basketball? Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers

NBA

by | Jul 8, 2019 | NBA

The NBA world was stunned on July 5, 2019 with reports of Kawhi Leonard opting not to re-sign with NBA Champions Toronto Raptors and rather play for the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard would go on to be the first player to not stay with a team after winning Finals MVP. To add on to the shock and awe of the news, Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Paul George was traded to the Clippers as well, only minutes of Leonard’s decision.

The Clippers have found themselves in the best situation they have ever been in since the Chris Paul and Blake Griffin era, in terms of All-Star power. The organization had however been able to make the playoffs last year with no real standout players on their roster. With the new acquisitions of Leonard and George, two of the best two-way players at this time, it is arguable that the Clippers have one of the most stacked teams in the league. The Clippers made an unfortunate early exit in last years Playoffs in 4-2 series against the Golden State Warriors. However, implementing their two newest acquisitions into the starting line-up would increase their play both offensively and defensively.  Leonard last season averaged 26.6 points on 49.6% shooting while George averaged a career-high 28 points on 43.8% shooting. Having two go-to players on offense as well as having 2018 and 2019’s Sixth Man of the Year in Lou Williams, the Clippers have an abundance of options on that side of the floor. However the defensive side of the floor is where most teams should be fearful of the Clippers this coming season. With a potential line-up consisting of Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Montrezl Harrell, players that are notorious for their effort and hard-nosed defense, teams league wide must think twice when coming down the floor offensively. Beverly, George, and Leonard have all found themselves on the First Team All-Defensive in years past, with the addition of Harrell having a breakout season last year, becoming a bigger part of the Clippers identity. With the multitude of blockbuster trades and acquisitions that have occurred up to this point into Free Agency, players, fans, and the organizations still have more in store until the deadline approaches.

Jul 8, 2019 No Comments
2019 NBA Free Agency: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker – Their Top Sneaker Moments With Their, Now, Former Teams

2019 NBA Free Agency: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker – Their Top Sneaker Moments With Their, Now, Former Teams

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by | Jul 4, 2019 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

 

         

 

Nike KD X “2017 Finals P.E.”

In what was Kevin Durant’s first season with the Golden State Warriors, he would lead them to their second championship in three years and be crowned the series’ Most Valuable Player. Durant would debut his new Nike KD X’s during the playoffs that year and lace up this blue/gold colorway during his series against the Cavaliers.

 

         

 

Nike KD X “What The” P.E.

Kevin Durant must’ve really been in a groove with his tenth signature model because he was still rocking them strong a year after debuting them in the 2017 NBA Finals. Choosing against using the 2018 NBA Finals platform to introduce his 11th shoe, KD opted to stick with wearing the X’s in a special mock-up “What The” colorway. Durant would go on to win back-to-back NBA Championships and Finals MVP’s. He would begin wearing the KD 11’s later that summer in July during a USA Team mini-camp.

 

         

 

Nike Kyrie 3 “Luck” P.E.

Although during his time with the Celtics didn’t consist of any Finals appearances or Finals MVP’s, there was no shortage of eye catching player exclusive colorways on Kyrie’s signature shoes. Kyrie tends to debut his signature models in the middle of seasons so during his first few months playing in Boston he was on the tail end of his run with his third signature installment. Irving wore these Kyrie 3’s in a November 2017 game against the Warriors. The clover pattern along with the gold upper complimented the Celtics’ jerseys rightfully so and were limited to only a select few House of Hoops locations.

 

         

 

Nike Kyrie 4 “Yellow Lobster” P.E.

Come February 2018 it was time for Kyrie Irving to face his former teammate, and now rival, Lebron James. Irving did so in style, sporting his new fourth signature shoe in a “Yellow Lobster” color scheme. This iconic colorway stems from the SB Dunk Low “Yellow Lobster” that released in 2009. Concepts released these Dunk Lows and Nike most likely chose to put this colorway on a Kyrie model due to the Concepts store being located in Boston.

 

         

 

Nike Kyrie 5 “Neon Blend” P.E.

I  don’t think anyone was pleased when they saw Kyrie wearing these Player Exclusives this past season, that reason being they were never available for the public to purchase. Of all the dozens and dozens special mock-ups made for Irving on his fifth signature shoe, this “Neon Blend” iteration was surely a hit. One positive thing about Irving now being a member of the Nets is that black and white goes with anything when it comes to sneakers.

 

         

 

Jordan XIX “Flint” OG

Kemba Walker made the move from Under Armour and joined the Jumpman in 2015. In his first media day as a member of Team Jordan he predictably rocked the Jordan 5 “Grape.” I  mean why wouldn’t you? That shoe matches the Hornets’ jerseys perfectly and that colorway is classic. Then in 2016, Kemba turned back the clock and wore something surprising for media day – the original 2004 Jordan XIX in the flint grey colorway. It’s always refreshing to see an NBA hooper wear a Jordan retro outside the realm of I-XIV.

 

     

 

Jordan X Retro “Charlotte”

With how good the Charlotte Hornets’ uniforms looked, once these Charlotte themed Jordan X retros released it was only a matter of time before Kemba was rocking them on court. Kemba is no stranger to rocking retro Air Jordans on the hardwood, as this dates back to his college days at UCONN. The Air Jordan X’s were a staple in Walker’s rotation as far as on-court kicks go during his time with the Hornets.

 

 

 

Jul 4, 2019 No Comments
The Pistons’ busy off-season

The Pistons’ busy off-season

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by | Jul 3, 2019 | Featured, NBA

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The Pistons have had a very eventful summer with the NBA draft and free agency. Starting off by the Piston’s shocking decision to trade the draft rights to Kevin Porter Jr. and drafting France’s player Sekou Doumbouya. Many believe that Sekou was actually an upgrade and a huge steal in the draft. At 6’9 229lbs his upside seems to be a player like Demarcus Cousins but with the mobility and handles of a point guard. Many Pistons fans can’t wait to see the young 18-year-old hit the NBA hardwood this summer.

Image result for derrick rose timberwolves smile

If that wasn’t enough the Pistons shocked the league for a second time by signing former MVP Derrick Rose to a 2-year $15 million contract this summer. The former league MVP finished last season averaging 18PPG 4.3APG & 2.7RPG for the Minnesota Timberwolves with a season high 50-point performance. Rose was one of eleven players to put up 50 points in a single game last season.

Image result for markieff morris thunder

The Pistons also acquired some other solid free agent pickups including Markieff Morris and Tim Frazier. Markieff Morris finished last season averaging 9.4PPG 4.6RPG & 1.4APG for the Oklahoma City Thunder and now is joining the former team of his brother Marcus Morris. He’s a high-volume shooter and adds some scoring to the Pistons already packed roster. Point guard Tim Frazier will be able to play third string behind Derrick Rose & Reggie Jackson. This will give the two veteran point guards relief if need be.

Image result for javale mcgee lakers

The Pistons are still looking for a backup center behind Andre Drummond since Thon Maker usually plays the 4. JaVale McGee has been in the organization’s consideration for the back up spot. The Former Laker center finished last season with 12PPG & 7.5RPG. He met with the Pistons last Monday, but much news hasn’t followed. Many believe that he is waiting for Kawhi’s free agency decision to plan out the best course of action for him being on a successful team going forward. So, for now we wait.

Jul 3, 2019 No Comments
The 6ix in Six: 2019 NBA Finals Recap

The 6ix in Six: 2019 NBA Finals Recap

NBA

by | Jul 2, 2019 | NBA

The NBA Finals have come to a conclusion, with the Toronto Raptors winning their first Championship in franchise history in a 4-2 victory over the Golden State Warriors. As the celebration in Toronto ensues, alongside with Raptors fans worldwide, we are finally given the opportunity to look back into the 6-game series of a constant back and forth momentum swings.

Game 1 was a tone setter for the Toronto Raptors, winning 118-109, with Pascal leading the Raptors with 32pts, 8reb, and 5ast. There was also strong consistency with the Raptors bench, having 5 players out of the Raptors 9 scoring in double figures, in comparison to the Warriors 3. In addition to the

Game 2 was both a perfect retaliation for the Golden State Warriors and a sign of caution to the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors were able to take a game away from home, with notable contributions to the Warriors starting 5, but particularly recently acquired Center DeMarcus Cousins.  Cousins finished the game 11pts, 10reb, and 6ast, in comparison to his Game 1 stats of 3pts, 0reb, and 2ast. Being able to get more contribution from Cousins forced the Raptors defense to become more mindful of him when he has the ball, opening up potential looks for his teammates, which was a result of the 6 assists that Cousins had by the end of the night. With this momentum swing, the Warriors were felt good going home to Oracle Arena for Game 3 but the Raptors, despite the loss, would not relent.

This was especially true in Game 3, kicking off the first string of games that represented the end of the great Oracle Arena. The Raptors finished the game with a 14-point victory over the Warriors at home. This particular game shows the tale of two very different types of play, with the Raptors playing a more team based game with six players scoring in double figures, with Raptors All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry leading the way in scoring, while the Warriors superstar Point Guard Steph Curry went off to score a game-high 47 points. Despite the scoring display he had shown, and the contributions that his teammates made, or tried to make for that matter, fell short and the Warriors found themselves down 2-1 in the series.

Game 4 back at Oracle Arena was a much more balanced game in terms of depth in the scoring aspect of things, with Klay Thompson and Steph Curry leading the Warriors with 28 and 27 points respectively. However the Raptors received a surge (pun intended) from former Oklahoma City Thunder PF Serge Ibaka, off the bench with 20 points in 22 minutes for the 11-year veteran. Alongside his scoring output was Kawhi Leonard’s game-high 36 points to lead the Raptors 3-1 in the series. it was at this point many fans assumed the series was over, considering it was heading back to Toronto for what could have been the last game for the Raptors. However, the Golden State Warriors and Warriors fans around the world believed in the Strength in Numbers in hopes of a reverse sweep.

There perhaps could not have been a more poetic way for the series to come to a conclusion other than the hometown Raptors winning their first NBA Championship in front of the fans in their own arena. Most unfortunate for them however, that was not the case. Last year’s NBA Finals MVP in Kevin Durant had missed the entire series up until this point, and with him back on the floor the Warriors knew for a fact that they stood a chance in this series. With their morale at an all-time high, only to be crushed when Durant went down with an Achilles injury, having only played 12 minutes into the game. He would not return for the rest of the series but had contributed to his team the best he could adding 11 points and 2 rebounds while he was still in the game. It was at this point the rest of the Warriors rallied together behind their Point Guard in Steph Curry to propel themselves to a 106-105 victory in Toronto, moving the series to 3-2, and NBA fans worldwide wondered if the reverse sweep was possible for the Golden State Warriors.

It seemed that the Warriors had all the momentum going into Game 6, despite not having Kevin Durant in the lineup. The game would go down to the wire in the 4th Quarter, with a constant back and forth between the two teams. It was ultimately decided when Steph Curry took an off-balance three pointer that he has almost become notorious for hitting those shots, missing, and amidst the battle for the loose ball, Warriors PF Draymond Green comes up with it only to call a timeout, despite not having anymore timeouts to give at this point late into the game. Here the Warriors receive a technical foul for excessive timeouts, ultimately giving the Raptors a one-shot free throw, leaving no time for the Warriors to try for the win. It was at this moment in time that the realization had begun to set in, and the Toronto Raptors stormed the floor, celebrating their victory, forever adding their name to the list of NBA Champions as well as obtaining the first championship for the Toronto Raptors in league history.

Jul 2, 2019 No Comments