NBA 2K12 Ratings: 2K Sports Spark Much-Needed Debate as Lockout Steals NBA
The NBA lockout threatens to make the winter a long and dreary prospect. Thankfully, NBA 2K12 has delivered exactly what we need in the dire time of hoops hysteria.
The Internet is abuzz with the mere mention of player ratings. As we look to Oct. 4 and the release of NBA 2K12, the one thing on the minds of fans of both the video game and the fine sport of basketball are the ratings issued by 2K Sports.
Every player has been tagged with a numeric description of their hoops worth. On a scale of 1-100, each player has been weighed, measured and labeled.
These are more than just numbers, though. These are jumping off points to a great discussion on where these player are in their careers.
There may not be an NBA season. For now, we can only talk a good game rather than take a look at them.
CBS Sports has listed the top-rated players in the video game. It is these ratings that have sparked debate from hoops heads from all over the basketball-loving nation.
Here are the top-20 ballers as seen by 2K Sports:
"LeBron James, Miami Heat: (98)
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Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: (96)
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: (94)
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: (93)
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: (93)
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: (92)
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls: (92)
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks: (91)
Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets: (90)
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder: (88)
Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks: (88)
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers: (86)
Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies: (86)
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers: (85)
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers: (85)
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: (85)
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs: (85)
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics: (85)
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: (84)
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: (84)
Boom. And just like that, a great debate has begun. I could go through the list and tell you what I find wrong with it. The most glaring to me is having Blake Griffin, a one-diemnsional offensive weapon, on par with Dirk Nowitzki.
But that is besides the point.
We are in a desperate time in basketball history. Our best and brightest stars are closer to playing in Italy and other European countries than they are suiting up domestically.
If we are destined to watch highlights from European games this winter, at least we have a video game that will not only deliver hours of entertainment, it will provide nuanced conversation for fans.
We will argue and banter for weeks about these players and where they sit on the list. That will serve to take our minds off the lack of NBA basketball. And for that, I thank them.
