NBA 2K14: Players That Gamers Will Love to Utilize in Latest Hit Video Game

With the highly anticipated Oct. 1 release of NBA 2K14 on the horizon, gamers are starved for information regarding the hit video game. Over the past few weeks, 2K Sports has slowly released details regarding the gameplay and features, but it can be argued that the player ratings take precedence over everything else.

Much of that remains a mystery, but Ronnie 2K on Twitter has satiated the rabid fanbase by releasing ratings in waves of three. Gamers always debate whether or not the ratings are fair, but it appears as though 2K Sports is quite accurate based on what we know thus far.

With that said, here are three players whose overall ratings have been made public that gamers will wear out once they get their hands on a copy of NBA 2K14.

Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has quickly translated his collegiate success at Davidson to the NBA as he has developed into one of the most explosive players in the league. Curry helped the Warriors upset the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs last season, and he gave the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs trouble as well.   

Because of that, Curry received a healthy 88 overall rating in NBA 2K14, according to 2K Ronnie.

While Curry's categorical ratings remain a mystery, it isn't too tough to guess that his speed and three-point shooting ratings are through the roof. Curry's skill set is perfect for most gamers who like to employ a run-and-gun approach. Shooting from long range is a popular strategy, and it's a safe bet that Curry is the best three-point shooter in the entire game.

The Warriors will be a fun team to use in general thanks to Curry and fellow sharpshooter Klay Thompson, as well as guys like Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala and David Lee.

It has been quite a while since Golden State has had fans buzzing, but Curry has changed that. He's poised for a huge year in the real world, and that should translate to the virtual world as well.

Marc Gasol

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol has slowly but surely developed into one of the best pivot men in the NBA. His meteoric rise culminated in a Defensive Player of the Year award last season, and he led the Grizzlies on a magical run to the Western Conference Finals. Gasol may not be the flashiest player in the league, but he has a great skill set that gamers will enjoy in NBA 2K14.

Even though the majority of gamers like to chuck the ball up from downtown and play at a frenetic pace, there are others that favor a more methodical approach. Gasol is the perfect player for those gamers since he'll possess an array of post moves as well as a solid mid-range game.

In addition, Gasol will be a force in the paint on the defensive end as a shot-blocker and rebounder. His overall rating is certainly up for debate, though.

Gasol is one of the elite centers in NBA 2K14 with a rating of 83, but some probably feel as though he deserves even more recognition than that. Centers are generally rated lower than other positions, which means that Gasol will be a dominant force in relation to other centers. He may prove worthy of an increased rating with another strong campaign in 2013-14, but he'll be plenty effective in the meantime.

James Harden

The potential of shooting guard James Harden was quite apparent while he served as a sixth man with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Harden exceeded even the wildest expectations that fans had for him in his first season with the Houston Rockets last year. He averaged nearly 26 points, six assists and five rebounds per game, led the Rockets to the playoffs and was very much in the MVP conversation.

Thanks to the addition of center Dwight Howard, Harden promises to be even more dangerous this season. It will be interesting to see if the Rockets alter their fast-paced game plan to accommodate Howard, but Harden is capable of producing in any system due to his versatile set of abilities. It appears as though the NBA 2K14 developers are fully aware of that and have given him a rating of 89 overall.

That rating puts Harden just a notch below stars like Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, so it is abundantly clear that he is on track to becoming an elite NBA player if he isn't already. If Harden's rating isn't enough to convince gamers to use him, surely the beard counts for something. Harden has one of the most unique looks in the NBA, and that is another big reason why his popularity has soared to new heights.

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