Since its birth in 1999, NBA 2K has proven to be one of the most realistic and precise professional sports simulation games. NBA 2K continues to improve its presentation (pre-game and halftime show, coach and player interviews) as well as its mechanics and graphics.
Fans have grown accustomed to the constant improvement and expansion 2K Studios brings year after year with this franchise, and NBA 2K21 is no exception. Nevertheless, like in most sports games, there are several overall player ratings that make no sense
10 Fred VanVleet – 85
Fred VanVleet is undoubtedly a talented player, becoming the undisputed starting shooting guard of the Toronto Raptors after playing a key component in Toronto’s 2019 championship run.
Nevertheless, an 85 OVR rating is fairly bloated, especially when considering his rather pedestrian scoring (17.6 PPG in 35.7 MPG) and limited ability on defense. Yes, VanVleet has a nice stroke from 3 point range, he’s scrappy enough to poke away a good amount of steals, and his experience as a PG has led him to average a considerable amount of assists (6.6) per game at the two spot. But considering VanVleet’s relatively low statistical ceiling as well as him being the third-fiddle in Toronto, his overall should be closer to the low 80s or high 70s.
9 John Wall – 83
John Wall is one of the most explosive players at the PG position in the modern era. Wall’s unmatched speed, astute acrobatics around the rim, and not to mention his court vision, is what has made him a five-time All-Star.
Wall is 30 years old and his full-throttle playing style has led many to question his longevity. Additionally, Wall was sidelined for the entire 2019 season as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles. Achilles injuries are certainly tough drawbacks for NBA players to bounce back from, but Wall is a tough player and 2K shouldn’t forget about the threat he presents to any opposing team. His 83 OVR in NBA 2K21 is definitely too low, especially in the eyes of Washington fans.
8 Goran Dragic – 79
Goran Dragic has been a key contributor to the success the Miami Heat has experienced in the bubble and into the 2019-2020 NBA Playoffs. Dragic was averaging almost 21 PPG in the 2019-2020 playoffs until being injured in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
NBA 2K is completely wrong in assigning Dragic an OVR that’s lower than an 80. He is one of the most reliable and consistent PGs in the league. He deserves an uptick closer to where VanVleet is assigned: the mid-80s.
7 Gordon Hayward – 83
It’s tough to admit, but Hayward just isn’t the same player he was prior to his tumultuous leg injury upon joining the Boston Celtics. That being said, Hayward is still a valuable asset to any NBA team with his offensive finesse, underrated defensive ability, as well as his overall hustle and work ethic.
Nevertheless, an 83 OVR rating seems a bit too high based on Hayward’s performance in the 2019-2020 season. His numbers are relatively lagged across the board in comparison to his numbers in Utha during his ‘heydey.’ 2K should kick Hayward out of the 80s club.
6 Daniel Theis – 79
Theis is one of the most underrated big men in the NBA. NBA 2K21 is wrong in its assertation of the Boston Celtics Center being a 79 OVR. He was eighteenth in the NBA in the plus-minus metric according to ESPN, which set him between stars Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam.
Theis is a big man that hits his free throws at an above-average clip. He’s a fantastic interior defender, strong rebounder and screener, as well as a fearless competitor. Theis deserves to be in the mid-80s, or at least higher than Hayward.
5 Jonathan Isaac – 82
The Orlando Magic Small Forward, Jonathan Issac, has been in the NBA for three years now. He put forth his best year in the 2019-2020 season but he was only able to average an unimpressive (in terms of players with 80 overalls) 11.9 PPG.
Despite his strong shooting percentage (47% from the field) and his decent rebounding skills (6.8 RPG), Issac does not perform at the 80s level, at least in this stage of his career.
4 R. J. Barrett – 75
Barret was the third overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft and put forth a great rookie season, averaging over 14 points a game in 30 minutes per game. However, 2K may be punishing Barret with an unexpectedly low overall rating because of his less than ideal shooting percentages: 40.2% from the field and 32% from 3.
Although the Duke standout needs to find consistency with his shooting, his overall arsenal as a high-level scorer should warrant an OVR rating in the high 70s, at least.
3 Devonte Graham – 79
The Guard Devonte Graham has exploded in his sophomore season with the Charlotte Hornets, going from averaging 4.7 PPG in 14 MPG all the way to 18.2 PPG in 35.1 MPG. Thus, Graham has worked his way to becoming one of the focal offensive weapons on the Hornets.
Graham also impresses with his ability to distribute the ball, averaging 7.5 assists per game. Graham’s 2019-2020 season is nothing to wink at and the second-round draft selection should have at least earned a nomination for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. It is astounding how 2K hasn’t put Graham in the 80s, especially when considering the other players they’ve let in.
2 Coby White – 77
Coby White’s stats for the 2019-2020 season are slightly deceptive, as White didn’t have as big of a role in the rotation early on but earned an abundance of minutes near the middle of the season. The Chicago Guard eventually became the Bulls’ second scoring option behind Zach Lavine.
In the Bulls’ last 10 games of the season, White averaged 24.7 PPG, 4.9 APG and 3.8 RPG. These numbers are fairly hard to ignore and his current 77 OVR isn’t representative of the actual skills White brings to the court.
1 Aron Baynes – 78
The former Celtic has seemed to find a good home in the Phoneix Suns. During Deandre Ayton’s suspension at the beginning of the season, Baynes was able to take advantage of extra minutes and put up productive numbers.
However, the backup Center’s statistical ceiling is severely lowered whenever Ayton is healthy, or in this case not suspended. It makes little to no sense that Bayness should be held in close regard to other, much more formidable Centers like Theis. Baynes’ 78 OVR rating is far too high and should be lowered to the low 70s.
