The release of NBA 2K ratings brings with it a yearly tradition of complaints. The subjectiveness of the ratings is the source of debate and anger for fans, gamers and players alike. In previous years, 2K would release individual player ratings one by one, usually at the request of the player as a form of social media marketing.
This year, though, the ratings were not released individually, likely a result of COVID-19 rearranging calendars and schedules in 2020. As a result, Friday’s release of NBA 2K21 brought with it a flurry of reactions, including from Josh Hart.
While most players would have complaints about their overall ratings, Hart’s criticism was a very specific one. Hart set a career-high in rebounds at 6.5 per contest this season despite only start 16 of the 65 games he played in. His anger, then, was understandable when he found out his rebound rating.
How I average almost 7 boards off the bench and my rebounding is a 60? Yall 2k raters are idiots
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) September 4, 2020
Hart’s defensive rebounding rating did actually increase dramatically for 2K21, rising from a 54 to a 77. However, considering he’s always been a good rebounder, 54 feels criminally low as well.
It wasn’t all anger from Hart with regards to his rating on Friday, though. He was also quick to point out that his 78 athleticism rating is one above teammate Lonzo Ball.
2k got me more athletic than @ZO2_ 😂😂😂😂 IVE BEEN TELLING YALL I GOT BOUNCE
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) September 4, 2020
We won’t be the ones to tell Hart that his vertical rating was actually lower than Ball and he wasn’t willing to spoil his teammate’s fun.
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) September 4, 2020
Ronnie 2K, the social manager for NBA 2K’s games, raced in to try to do damage control by showing Hart his defensive rebounding rating, which Hart took in stride.
I stand corrected. Say less @ChipotleTweets and I’ll even get you extra guac https://t.co/eeRworqZVd
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) September 4, 2020
Hart’s overall rating stayed at a 75 this year, the same as NBA 2K20. Ball’s rating, though, dropped despite his career season in New Orleans.
