NBA 2K16 Player Ratings: Highlighting Top Stars at Every Position

Ratings in sports video games have taken on a special place with fans and even the athletes who play the sports in real life. The more sophisticated the game, the more in-depth and detailed the ratings.

According to the newly released NBA 2K16, the ultimate starting five in the NBA would be the following players:

Stephen Curry, 93 overall rating

The reigning MVP should always be the best player at his position, which holds true for the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry. He's rated a 93 overall, and as you might have guessed, his shooting ratings are bananas.

Curry has a 95 in standing and moving three-point shooting. That makes him the best three-point shooter in NBA 2K16—regardless of era. The game includes classic teams, and Curry's shooting bests the 1985-86 Larry Bird (94 and 90), 1989-90 Steve Kerr (95 and 92) and the 2007-08 Ray Allen (95 and 94).

Curry is more than just a long-range bomber. His layup rating is a 95, and his ball-handling is a 97. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving has a higher rating among active players in the latter category, with a 98. In case you were wondering, the 2005-06 Jason Williams is the only player in the game with a 99 ball-handling rating.

James Harden, 92 overall rating

There aren't many weaknesses in James Harden's game. The Houston Rockets star handles like a point guard (92), shoots it well from deep (81 and 83) and finishes close to the basket with a 95 layup and 84 dunk rating.

He can also make an impact on defense—yes, I said defense. His pass perception rating is an 82, and his steals mark is a 77. It's easy to forget Harden averaged 5.7 rebounds, seven assists and 1.9 steals per game last season to go with his 27.4 points per game.

NBA 2K16 is here to remind you.

LeBron James, 94 overall rating

He's the best small forward in the NBA—perhaps of all time—and he's still the best player in the league, despite his not winning the MVP award.

James has just one rating across the board that is less than 50. That's his 36 in offensive rebounding. It's understandable, because his 0.7 offensive rebounds per game were the lowest total he's produced in that category in his career.

He also failed to shoot 50 percent from the field for the first time since 2008-09. Still, James has a rating of 95 or above in seven different categories.

He's still the King.

Anthony Davis, 92 overall rating

In a few years, the New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis will be the best player in the NBA. He's just 22 years old, but he's already one of the best players in the game—like, top-five.

He does everything well, but perhaps his most impressive ratings are related to his athleticism. Davis' speed (82) and acceleration (80) are identical to his teammate's Tyreke Evans—and he's a 6'6" PG/SF.

Mix that in with a 92 shot-blocking rating and 85 defensive rebounding, and you have a rare frontcourt force.

DeMarcus Cousins, 87 overall rating

image provided by 2K Sports

It should be noted that the Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol is also rated an 87 overall. I went with the Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins here because he's five years younger.

Cousins' rebounding ratings are among the best in the game, but it's his ability to score on the post that justifies the high rating.

He has a 95 post control, 89 post hook and 85 post fade rating. To balance out his low-post game, Cousins also has a 98 hands and 94 strength rating.

The big fella is a load on the block.

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