Ever since 2010, LeBron James has been rated almost exclusively alone at the top of the “NBA 2K” player rankings. According to Brian Wiedey of the Sporting News, there has only been one two-month stretch during that time where James has not been ranked as the top player in the video game. This season, LeBron began the year with a player rating of a 98 which was once again the highest in the league. But after the latest NBA 2K19 roster update, he is now down to a 96. That mark puts LeBron in a three-way tie at the top alongside James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are each right behind with the second-highest player rating of 95.
While averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists, James has exceeded his career averages this season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But his nagging groin injury limited him to just 55 games. He will also be on the outside looking in during the postseason for the first time since 2005. Both factors certainly contributed to LeBron’s recent ratings drop. Meanwhile, Harden and Antetokounmpo are currently battling it out for NBA MVP honors after posting banner years. Harden is averaging a league-best 36.1 points per game while Giannis has led his Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the Association.
Harden began the season ranked as a 96 in NBA 2K19 before dipping down to a 94 from weeks 5-12 as his Houston Rockets came out of the gates slowly. He peaked as high as a 97 from weeks 16-21 before leveling out at a 96 as the season now comes to a close. Antetokounmpo was ranked as a 94 to start the season before a slow climb to a 95 and then a 96 as of week 22. LeBron was ranked as a 98 all season until week 21 when he dropped to a 97. He then fell to a 96 in week 25 while on the injured list.
