NBA 2K Ratings of NBA Superstars in Their Rookie Year

If you were to pick up a controller and play some 2K, odds are you would want guys like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Davis on your squad as they have the highest overall in the game currently. Every player in the NBA starts at the bottom of the NBA totem pole as a rookie. What did 2K think of some of today’s top NBA talents when they were just rookies? Are the NBA 2K ratings from when they were rookies accurate?

Rookie NBA 2K Ratings of Current Superstars

LeBron James – 78 Overall – ESPN NBA Basketball (NBA 2K4)

Coming to the NBA, LeBron James was already being touted as a future star. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind the James would find a way to solidify his legacy in the league. NBA 2K4, which was titled ESPN NBA Basketball that year, featured the rookie LeBron James. The future legend was given a lower-than-expected rating of 78. In his rookie season, James averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. His 2K rating jumped 10 points the following year for NBA 2K5 at an 88 overall. In 2K19, the most recent game, he is rated 96 overall in general gameplay, with other game modes having him at a 99 overall.

James Harden – 76 Overall – NBA 2K10

The ex-Arizona State University Sun Devil entered the NBA at the ripe age of 19, where he was drafted 3rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, just a year after they relocated from Seattle. Even though he was a top-three pick in the draft, NBA 2K10 completely underestimated the future All-Star by giving him a 76 overall rating. As it turns out, so did the Oklahoma City Thunder by having him come off the bench. This would lead to eventual trade that sent Harden to the Houston Rockets. Harden’s sophomore season with the Thunder caused his 2K rating to drop to 74 in NBA 2K11. Harden is currently a 95 overall in NBA 2K19.

Giannis Antetokounmpo – 60 Overall – NBA 2K13

Quite possibly one of the most disrespectful rookie rating NBA 2K has ever given comes with the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo was selected with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, meaning he would be a playable character in NBA 2K14. 2K gave the athletic wing an overall of 60 for his rookie season. He went up a dramatic 14 overall points in 2K15, but it was still only a measly 74. The Greek Freak is currently a 95 overall in 2K19.

Stephen Curry – 69 Overall – NBA 2K10

Drafted 7th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, the developers over at 2K definitely underrated this sharpshooting All-Star. Steph Curry was given a rating of 69 in his first 2K game, NBA 2K10. The following season, his overall jumped all the way up to 80. His rating continued to gradually rise to where he is currently a 96 overall in 2K19.

Kevin Durant – 80 Overall – NBA 2K8

Selected 2nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics, Kevin Durant would play his first season in a city he would be leaving the next, as the Sonics relocated and rebranded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Durant’s sophomore season. With 2K8 being the first 2K to have Durant, he was given a more than fair 80 overall. The following year, he was upgraded to an 83 overall. He is currently listed at a 95 overall in 2K19.

Anthony Davis – 79 Overall – NBA 2K13

Selected first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, there was never any doubt that Anthony Davis would end up being an NBA All-Star. Davis was given a 79 overall rating for his first appearance in a 2K game, NBA 2K13.  His overall was increased to 86 in 2K14. Currently, in 2K19, Davis has a 94 overall rating.

Nikola Jokic – 68 Overall – NBA 2K16

Being drafted in the second round with the 41st pick by the Denver Nuggets, there is no reason to blame 2K for the low rating here. Who would have predicted that a second-round draft pick from Serbia would pan out to be as good as he is? Nikola Jokic has turned in to an All-Star caliber player in the NBA, so it is almost hard to believe that he was once given a 68 overall rating. In 2K19, he currently has a rating of 92.

DeMar DeRozan – 64 Overall – NBA 2K10

Selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 9th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeMar Dorozan was harshly underrated by the employees over at 2K for NBA 2K10. Looking back at the more recent games, it is hard to think of a top ten pick that was even given a rating below 73, nevermind 64! DeRozan, now on the San Antonio Spurs, started off with a rating of 89 in 2K19 but has since been dropped to an 87.

Paul George – 71 Overall – NBA 2K11

In the 2010 NBA Draft, Paul George was selected tenth overall by the Indiana Pacers. In his rookie season, George was given a 71 overall for NBA 2K11. His biggest jump in overall points was from 2K13 to 2K14, where he went from a 78 overall to an 87 overall. PG13 currently has a rating of 93 on 2K19.

Klay Thompson – 69 Overall – NBA 2K12

The other half of the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson, was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Given a subpar 2K rating of 69 in his rookie season, Thompson was able to improve his rating to a 75 for NBA 2K13. Klay Thompson is currently rated an 88 on 2K19, tied for the second highest rating for shooting guards, only behind James Harden.