LeBron James and Kevin Durant, when healthy, are the two best basketball players in the world. In the video game world, though? Not so much.
James (98 overall rating) and Durant (95) were far and away the two highest rated players in “NBA 2K15” last season. Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (91) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (90) were the only other players to even crack 90 to begin the year.
But it looks like there might be a shakeup at the top for the 2015-16 campaign.
Durant tweeted a picture of his likeness (along with his rating) in “NBA 2K16,” and it comes as a slight surprise.
Durant did miss a large majority of last season with a nagging foot injury, and it remains to be seen how it will affect him going forward. But he’s still one of the very best players in the game, so this seems a bit low.
James’ rating hasn’t officially been revealed yet, but an alleged leak — which contains a bunch of ratings for the Boston Celtics — subtly reveals his rating for the upcoming season (assuming it’s actually real).
Apparently, the Celtics are interested in acquiring James, a 94 overall rating, in this simulation of the game (isn’t everyone?), as well as Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (86) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (83) — which, for the record, we could see happening.
But here’s the kicker — the final roster updates in “2K15” had Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry jumping from an 89 overall rating to begin last season to 95 overall. Fellow cover athletes James Harden and Anthony Davis as well as “NBA Live 16” cover athlete Russell Westbrook all improved to 94s.
If all that stays true, it looks like Curry will be dethroning the King for the second time this summer.
“NBA 2K16” comes out Sept. 29.
Thumbnail photo via Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports Images
