NBA 2K12 Player Ratings: Are Top NBA Stars Ranked Too High or Too Low?

The initial NBA 2K12 ratings were leaked on Tuesday, and there is quite an inconsistency within them.

While the ratings are weighted by position, it doesn't help to explain some of the obvious discrepancies between talented players in the game.

There are some really interesting choices for player ratings in this year's version, and there's a few choices that should be seriously re-evaluated.

How does your favorite NBA star grade out?

Monta Ellis, SG Golden State

Rating: 83

Ellis often gets undervalued because most have the wrong perception of him, and this rating is evidence of exactly that.

After averaging 24.1 points per game and 5.6 assists (not to mention third in the NBA in steals with 2.1 per game), it's mind-boggling as to how he only received an 83.

Ellis receives the same rating as Stephen Jackson, while Andre Iguodala (85) and Russell Westbrook (88) both sit ahead of him.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF Portland

Rating: 83

Aldridge surprised a lot of people with his play last season, and he was arguably the biggest All-Star snub of anyone that deserved to go but wasn't chosen.

It's rather surprising that Aldridge didn't get a little bit more love in the rankings considering that his breakout campaign looked very real, but this is likely a "prove it" grade in order for the power forward to show that he's here to stay.

He graded out two points higher than Al Jefferson (81) and has the same rating as Zach Randolph (83).

Dirk Nowitzki, PF Dallas

Rating: 85

Now this one just makes absolutely no sense.

Coming off of his first championship campaign, Nowitzki has the same rating as second-year man Blake Griffin, one point under Pau Gasol (86) and three points behind Amar'e Stoudemire (88).

I'd really like to understand how Nowitzki receives a lower grade than Rudy Gay (86), who missed a chunk of last season, and just a single point higher than Josh Smith (84), who regressed in terms of his shot selection last season.

Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles

Rating: 85

As noted in the previous slide, Griffin's 85 rating ties him with Nowitzki. As great of a rookie season as Griffin enjoyed, there's no reason to put him on Nowitzki's level just yet.

His impressive athleticism and dominating play around the rim certainly inspired several highlight reels and made him a crowd favorite, but his poor free throw shooting and lack of peripheral statistics are glaring.

Griffin is already rated higher than Tim Duncan (84), Kevin Garnett (83) and just a single point behind Pau Gasol (86) despite playing for just a single season.

Amar'e Stoudemire

Rating: 88

Stoudemire flourished during his first season in Mike D'Antoin's up-tempo offense in New York, and for parts of the season in the early going, he looked like a potential MVP candidate.

While his rating doesn't seem that bad at first glance, it's hard to logically rationalize how he gets an elite mark while others at his position simply don't.

For comparison purposes, Rajon Rondo (85) and Steve Nash (84) both received lower grades.

Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City

Rating: 88

Westbrook is rated as an elite point guard, but he's not.

There's a lot of talent to Westbrook's game that's harbored in his incredible athleticism and dynamic abilities, but he's still learning the point guard position after his first three seasons in the league.

This one is a little on the high side, but it's not as egregious as some of the other choices.

Deron Williams, PG New Jersey

Rating: 90

Finally, the first rating that I believe to be right on the money in terms of its accuracy.

Williams struggled with a wrist injury that really hampered his play last season, but he was still an absolute assist machine upon being traded to the Nets.

The only point guards ranked ahead of him are Derrick Rose and Chris Paul, and there shouldn't be too many who are going to complain about that.

Carmelo Anthony, SF New York

Rating: 91

Anthony's 91 is a very interesting rating, if only for the sole reason that it makes for intriguing comparisons.

He's the game's third-highest rated small forward, and his talents clearly haven't gone under-appreciated by those who decide on the final ratings.

He graded out fairly highly considering his lack of commitment at the defensive end, but his offensive approach is extremely potent.

Derrick Rose, PG Chicago Bulls

Rating: 92

There are going to be a fair amount of critics who clamor for Rose to receive a higher rating, but I love the choice for him as a 92.

He clearly improved last season, and that was illustrated by him becoming the youngest MVP in league history at just 22 years old.

There is just one point guard with a higher rating than he holds.

Kevin Durant, SF Oklahoma City

Rating: 92

Durant is tied with Rose in terms of his 2K12 rating, and while that may not sit well with some, it fits perfectly to me.

Many have pegged him as the league's next superstar, and while he can certainly play that role, he's not quite there yet.

The players that are ranked ahead of him all deserve their seeding, and it's tough to craft an argument for him to hold water ahead of those that come before him.

Chris Paul, PG New Orleans

Rating: 93

Paul still grades out as the top point guard in the game according to the 2K rankings, and there's no doubt that he hasn't ceded his crown to anyone just yet.

CP3 came back with a vengeance last season, and it was obvious that he's not going to be slowing down at any point soon.

He's got plenty left to offer, and his rating leaves no sour taste in my mouth.

Dwight Howard, C Orlando

Rating: 93

I'm surprised Howard isn't rated even higher than a 93.

He's the reigning three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is the most physically dominant player in the game, and is downright unstoppable on the low block when he gets position beneath the basket.

He's the highest rated center in the game, but he should've received another point or two.

Kobe Bryant, SG Los Angeles

Rating: 94

Bryant's 94 rating is a direct result of his age and the uncertain health surrounding his knee, but it's a shame that he's dropped.

The third-highest rated player in the game, Bryant is outdone by two members of the Heat by a sizable margin.

I have a serious gripe with Bryant's rating if Anthony (91) and Westbrook (88) are that high.

Dwyane Wade, SG Miami

Rating: 96

Wade was Miami's best player when it mattered most last season, but he's only the second-highest rated player on his team.

Flash has officially taken the shooting guard crown from Bryant with his mark of 96, and it's hard to argue that seeding considering his incredible combination of skill, athleticism, balance and drive.

Showing an improvement from the perimeter last season, Wade's ranking could be the best in the game by the time NBA 2K13 comes around.

LeBron James, SF Miami

Rating: 98

NBA 2K12 has chosen to give James a rating of 98/100, virtually saying that he's the perfect player.

While he's certainly proven unstoppable at times in real life and far more frequently on the digital hardwood, there are too many shortcomings in his approach to call him a near perfect talent.

He's the top dog on the virtual hardwood, and he's going to have to live up to the ranking when the action picks back up following the lockout.