Unlike a number of players, Lillard seemed indifferent when asked about his ranking -- he doesn't play as himself on the game anyway -- though he did managed to get in a little jab at the developers nonetheless. "It's fine, I never really cared," said Lillard. "I don't understand why people get mad about what the rating is. A lot of people that come up with the game, they probably can't even shoot."
Harrison Wind: NBA 2K ratings are out. Top-12: 1. LeBron - 97. 2. Kawhi - 97. 3. Giannis - 96. 4. Durant - 96. 5. Harden - 96. 6. Curry - 95. 7. Davis - 94. 8. George - 93. 9. Lillard - 92. 10. Embiid - 91. 11. Kyrie - 91. 12. Jokic - 90. Discuss...
Ryan Ward: The 3 highest-rated players in #NBA2K20 aren't much of a surprise... #2KRatings
Morris likewise used to play a lot of NBA 2k, but veered away from the franchise about three years ago, by his recollection. He had two pressing issues with the game: his rating and his appearance. “I’ve been on there, I didn’t have my beard,” Morris said. “I didn’t have none of that. And I just wasn’t feeling it because I look at these other players, they’ve got everything. They’ve got all their [facial hair and accessories] done. They’ve got guys that haven’t played an NBA game coming in at [an] 80-something [rating] and I’m a fucking 77. And I done been in there eight years putting in work every year. So I just feel disrespected. So I don’t play it. “I averaged 14 [points per game] for the last three years. There’s no way I’m a 77 and dudes who average less than me are in the 80s. I don’t respect it. So I can’t play it.”
“I came back less this year than I was last year. How does that even make sense?” Morris said. “We went to the Conference Finals. I had a great season. How do I come back less? So I can’t deal with them. “Fuck them. I ain’t reaching out. I don’t feel like I should have to. I put in a lot of work.”
Enes Kanter: This is why l play @EASPORTS
Bobby Portis: My official @NBA2K screenshot! I told @Ronnie 2K that he gotta have my nappy fro on the game when it comes out though lol...what y’all think? #NBA2K19 pic.twitter.com/lB68gwYGiL
Will Barton: Underrated but Never Faded @NBA2K @Ronnie2K #NBA2K19
What would you rate yourself? Will Barton: 80 at minimum
Taurean Prince: And there we have it world 📝@NBA2K @Ronnie2K #NBA2K19
Jaren Jackson Jr.: ‼️👀‼️👀‼️ @Ronnie 2K #NBA2K19 momma I’m in 2K pic.twitter.com/BD3nMVOWFl
Dzanan Musa: Hey @Ronnie 2K what’s my 2K rating? 😎🤙 #NBA2K19
Isaiah Canaan: Blessed to be apart @NBA2K & Big Ups to @Ronnie2K Off Injury I Can’t Complain lol What do you guys think?? #Gamer #Nice
Tony Bradley: 🤙🏾@NBA2K @Ronnie 2K #NBA2k19
Spencer Dinwiddie: Ima 79. But they say my clutch rating is Top5 lol @NBA2K @Ronnie2K
E'Twaun Moore: @PelicansNBA going to be the team to rock with in #NBA2K19 this year!Got to get that rating ⬆️@Ronnie2K @NBA2K
Sirius XM NBA: Mo Bamba’s reaction when Kevin Knox told him his #NBALive19 rating was 81: “For real?! I’m about to start playing Live.” #PaniniNBARookie @PaniniAmerica @NBA @Sirius XM NBA pic.twitter.com/kRkXUN2xOH
Trae Young: My whole life I’ve been underrated.... this ain’t nothing new🤷🏽♂️😏😂 #KeepThatSameEnergy
After his stellar first year, Kuzma told NBA 2K’s Ronnie Singh that he was expecting a bump when NBA 2K19 releases. “I think it should be at least an 80,” Kuzma said in a video. Kuzma got his wish — or at least the bare minimum of it — because Singh told him that when 2K19 drops, Kuzma will be an 80 overall, something the star sophomore forward says he’ll “for sure” use as motivation. ”But hey, an 80’s an 80,” Kuzma added, although his body language and tone in the video were that of a child trying to talk themselves into socks being a cool birthday present when they expected a Nintendo Switch:
Chris Grenham: Jaylen Brown said that he plays Fifa and not 2K, but as soon as the 2K ratings came out, Kyrie called him and asked how he felt. "I was like Kyrie, I do not give a fuck about no 2K rating. (Kyrie) was like 'bro they played you' (laughs)." via @CJMcCollum @Schultz_Report
Josh Richardson: Don’t shoot the messenger though okay i didn’t make the rating
Josh Richardson: pic.twitter.com/4vVkIBjd6N
Josh Richardson: Hey, it’s better than 67 lol
Ronnie 2K: One of my favorite things of the year... Shouting out all @nba players who want to know their @NBA2K rating for #NBA2K19. Reply to this tweet or DM me 👀 If you’re a fan and want your favorite players rating, tweet them to let them know it’s time! pic.twitter.com/h72XVUrJJF
Giannis Antetokounmpo: I see you @NBA2K!! A 94 is okay but I want more 😤🔥 #NBA2K19 #StayFreaky
Karl-Anthony Towns: 91? I don’t blame you @NBA2K, I blame @ronnie2k!
LeBron James: Man those white uniforms ain’t so bad/fresh and that rating ain’t so bad either for such an old head! 🤣🤷🏾♂️🙏🏾 #NBA2K19🔥 #KingJames👑 #StriveForGreatness🚀 #RWTW🏅 #JamesGang👑
DeMarcus Cousins: I'll take it but I'm bout to show y'all something this year 🙏🏾 @NBA2K #NBA2K19
Kyle Kuzma: 2k rating is disrespectful. Y’all will learn though 💪🏽👊🏽
NBA 2K19: 9⃣4⃣for @kawhileonard. Who won the trade? #NBA2K19
NBA 2K19: 8⃣9⃣ New team, same rating @DeMar_DeRozan. You already know who's coming next 😏 #NBA2K19
Ben Simmons: An 87 @Ronnie2K? I'm comin for y'all @NBA2K #NBA2K19
Donovan Mitchell: 2 questions @NBA2K What's my dunk rating? And who else is an 87 this year 🤔 😂 pic.twitter.com/TGbs1Fvrez
NBA 2K19: A rating fit for a King 🔥 A 98 overall for our 20th Anniversary Edition Cover athlete @KingJames. What do you think?
Devin Booker: They sayin I need Pink Diamond.. Cmon Ronnie!!!😂 twitter.com/ronnie2k/statu…
Singh no longer has such anonymity. When an NBA player wants his rating, he must hit up @Ronnie2K. According to Singh, two days before the game's release, 214 players had tweeted about their initial ratings. That's nearly half of the 450 players in the league. The game's manufacturer didn't have to spend a dime for the promotion. "Most other brands would struggle to have that kind of [advertising]," Singh said. "I mean, they'd have to pay considerably to have that kind of impact. We're doing it based on relationships and a passion for a really great video game."
When Washington Wizards guard John Wall caught wind of his 90 rating, he tweeted at Singh: "u a joke !!" The two publicly debated about Wall's previous ratings until Singh tweeted a GIF of a dancing salt shaker, poking fun at the four-time all-star for being upset. Wall blocked him. "John was not serious," Singh said. "It was funny, him and I were DMing the whole time that was happening. It's slightly orchestrated, you know. ... I didn't know he was going to say 'u a joke,' but that was perfect. That was exactly what we needed to kind of fuel the thirst about these ratings."
Paul Kim: what do you think Melo's real ranking should be?? Damian Lillard: Honestly don't give a damn bout a ranking. They usually wrong at every level.
While at the event, Danny had a chance to talk about the much-hyped game, and revealed he is not much of a gamer as well as a player who doesn't fret over his rating. “I’m not a big gamer, I do play but I’m not a guy who worries about the rating. As long as they put me in the game — I know that they put me in better than I am in real life. So if they can put me in the game where I can shoot it pretty well, and play defense then I am happy. It’s always fun and interesting to watch."
Ingram received a 76 rating in the game, which some believed was too low. In an interview with Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, Ingram disagreed saying it could’ve been even lower considering the season he had last year: “I can’t control it, I know it’s just a game. Of course with the season I had this year I could’ve expected it even lower. I know what I’m capable of and a lot of guys, especially my fans, know what I’m capable of and that’s why they were mad at it, but it’s kind of based off how the season went this year.”
While EuroLeague players will be absent from NBA 2K18, fans of the game will be able to continue playing as Milos Teodosic since he now belongs to the NBA world as an LA Clipper. Αccoding to 2KRating, in 2K18, the Serbian guard is rated 77. He’s tied with Jayson Tatum as the third highest-rated rookie after Markelle Fulz (Philadelphia 76ers) and Lonzo Ball (LA Clippers).
Mike Conley: Apparently my 87 rating gets you every bucket, pass, crossover, and great hair 😏 @NBA2K @Ronnie 2K #justsayin #tunnelvision
Trey Lyles: That Denver looking good on me!! @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook
Clevis Murray: #Celtics: Marcus Smart will be a 79 overall in #NBA2K18.
Clevis Murray: #Sixers: Jahlil Okafor will be a 73 overall in #NBA2K18.
Clevis Murray: Ben Simmons will be a 79 overall in #NBA2K18.
Clevis Murray: Cavs: Jae Crowder will be an 80 overall in #NBA2K18. J.R. Smith will be a 75 with an A- 3-point rating.
Now, though, the full list of NBA 2K18 ratings for the Atlanta Hawks seems to be available and there are some interesting takeaways from the list. The full list is below and, if nothing else, it can serve as a starting point for all kinds of arguments. Dennis Schröder - 79, Dewayne Dedmon - 77, Ersan Ilyasova - 75, Taurean Prince - 75, Kent Bazemore - 74, Marco Belinelli - 74, Malcolm Delaney - 74, Mike Muscala - 74
Yogi Ferrell: Like I'm playin for the Mavericks @nba2k @ronnie2k #nba2k18 #2KFirstLook pic.twitter.com/6SKhUjlbC3
NBA 2K 2K18: .@KingJames leads the list of the Top 10 highest rated SFs in #NBA2K18! Rudy Gay: Crock of BS. Wait till this season.
Montrezl Harrell: S/o to @Ronnie 2K got my rating but it's over for everyone 🤔😑 an wrong jersey number 5
Tony Bradley: 2k!! 😂😂 @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook #BLESSED
2K Sports recently provided DeAndre' Bembry with his NBA 2K18 rating, a 69 overall. Bembry is now the third Hawk to reveal his rating, as John Collins revealed that he is a 73 and Dewayne Dedmon that he is a 77.
Eric Gordon: Who's ready for the new #NBA2k18 @Ronnie2k @NBA2k #NBA2k18 #2kFirstLook
TJ Leaf: 2K!!! What does everyone think? @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #2Kfirstlook #NBA2K18 pic.twitter.com/44zEk3fqbx
Quincy Pondexter: I needed a good laugh today.. well here it is @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook my knee durability better be a 99 tho
Caris LeVert: Hmm idk what y'all think??🤔@Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook pic.twitter.com/UDRTuH7lUQ
NBA2K: Happy Birthday to @NBA2K family, @kobebryant! Dominate with Kobe on the All-Time @Lakers squad in #NBA2K18!
Pascal Siakam: Aye let's get it🔥!! Need to get that up tho! #doingitforyou🙏🏾 #humblehustle🙏🏾👏🏾Shoutout @ronnie2k @nba2k #2kfirstlook #nba2k18
Malachi Richardson: Let's work ! What you guys think !?@Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook
Jordan Clarkson: FOR THE FANS GOODLOOKS @Ronnie2K @NBA2K FOR MY #2KFirstLook #NBA2K18
Shelvin Mack: My guy @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook
Marreese Speights: Thanks my guy 💯💯👍🏾@Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 @OrlandoMagic #tms
Jared Dudley: HUGE shoutout to my guy @Ronnie2K and the whole @NBA2K family on my exclusive pic 🔥 Congrats on your guys success 👌🏽👌🏽
Richaun Holmes: I appreciate it @Ronnie2K #ToTheGym
At one point during the wedding reception, Wesley Matthews found out that his overall rating in NBA 2K18 is an 83. Singh estimates that there were about 40 NBA players at the wedding and reception, including Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kent Bazemore, Andrew Bogut and Devin Harris among others. Matthews’ 83 rating and how the 2K staff comes up with these numbers became a hot topic among the players in attendance. “I was at Harrison Barnes’ wedding and a major point of contention was Wesley’s rating,” Singh said. “He found out that he was an 83 overall and he got pretty upset about it. He kept talking to Rick Carlisle about it. Well, Rick was the MC of Harrison’s reception. It got to the point that during the reception, in front of about 40 NBA players, Rick gets on the mic and says, ‘Ronnie, we have to address this rating thing right now. You need to come up here.’
“So during the reception, I’m up there in front of these 40 NBA players explaining why the ratings are the way they are and how they’re determined. And I’m thinking, ‘This guy is in the middle of celebrating his wedding!’ Harrison’s wife was probably like, ‘I’m going to murder Ronnie after this reception.’ (laughs) They’re both amazing people – just a great couple – but I just kept thinking, ‘This is not the proper place for this!’ But Rick orchestrated it, so unfortunately I had to participate.”
“We get a lot of private messages from guys that are pretty harsh,” Singh said. “Last year, for example, Dion Waiters flipped out about his rating – and his rating was pretty good too. I want to say he was rated an 83 at the beginning of last year and, while he ended up having an excellent year, it felt fair at the time. He was just livid, though.”
While players would never admit this publicly, some have gotten mad when a specific teammate is rated higher than them in the game. Players are extremely competitive and they know their teammates’ game better than anyone, so it frustrates them when they wholeheartedly believe that they’re the better player but have a lower overall rating. In one instance, an Eastern Conference player recently direct messaged Singh on Twitter campaigning for his 2K18 rating to be higher than his star teammate because he’s been dominating offseason workouts and pick-up games.
During a question-and-answer session through The Indianapolis Star in 2015, Indiana Pacers big man LaVoy Allen was asked about his 75-overall rating in the game and gave a surprising response. “It’s way too high,” Allen said through the outlet’s Twitter account. “Lavoy Allen is the only player I’ve ever seen or heard of who said that his rating is too high,” Stauffer said with a laugh. “He may have been joking. But, as far as I know, he’s the only player who’s said that.”
Dewayne Dedmon: Steady improvement 2k not jus the rating but the looks too.. can't wait to dunk some fools on the sticcs this year.. who got next ? @ronnie2k @nba2k #nba2k18 #2kfirstlook #justwatch
Rudy Gobert: Shoutout to @Ronnie2K for my #2KFirstLook screen. A little low as usual but started from a 52 so we good 😏. What you guys think?
Justin Patton: Everyone take a look! This is crazy still! Huge shoutout to @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook
Dorian Finney-Smith: @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook Here it is. Much better than last year!! 😈
Jordan Bell: What y'all think? Even though I'm going to change it to a 99 when I play @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #nba2k18 #2kFirstLook
Walter Tavares: I am not happy but it means extra motivation for me!🔝 @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook #NeverGiveUp🇨🇻 #FROMCV
Clint Capela: My rating needs the same kind of come up my graphic got!! 😂😂 @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook #WaitForThatFirstUpdate ⬆️⬆️
Frank Ntilikina: 👀@Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook After playing this game since a younger age, it finally happened 🙏🏾🎮#Blessed #DreamBig
Josh Hart: Only up from here... @NBA2K
Willy Hernangomez: Muy contento con mi imagen en #NBA2K18. Seguro que mi media sube pronto!💪🏼 qué opináis? #2kfirstlook
Dwyane Wade: My face says it all haha. Here's the overall rating for @LeBron James and I for 17-18 season @NBA2K @Ronnie 2K #NBA2K18 #2kFirstLook pic.twitter.com/yuumLI1vdi
Dwyane Wade: That All-Time Team flow w @Shaquille O'Neal @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2kFirstLook pic.twitter.com/mgMbNxSYgr
Ronnie 2K 2K18: Alright NBA players what do you want to be rated going into year? You can say they're low but wanna know what you actually think... Spencer Dinwiddie: :thinking_face:. 6'6, athletic, 3:1 ast/to, 38% 3FG, only 24. Only 1yr of production tho. High 70's/Low 80's. Narcissistically 99...
Will Barton: @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook we gonna bump this up when the first updates drop. My ppl still get buckets with me though lol
Langston Galloway: Got my 2k rating! What y'all think? Some Work To Do This Year! @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 #2KFirstLook
January 23, 2021 | 8:06 pm EST Update
Timberwolves keeping Ryan Saunders for now

Ryan Saunders will remain coach of the woeful Minnesota Timberwolves, at least until he gets an opportunity to coach a stretch with star Karl-Anthony Towns in the regular lineup. “I haven’t even talked to (basketball president Gersson Rosas) about that — he hasn’t brought it up, but you’re asking me, and it’s probably hard to tell a guy that you aren’t doing the job when your best guy isn’t playing,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor said Saturday from his home in Mankato.
Taylor could make a popular diversity statement by naming hard-driving Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve to coach the Wolves. “I kid her about that, but I’m not making any changes — I’m talking to Cheryl, and we’re trying to put a really good team together for the Lynx right now,” Taylor said. “She’s planning on coaching them. “But,” Taylor added, “she’s an interesting person, isn’t she?”

For most of a year, Taylor has explored a sale of the Wolves and Lynx. How’s that coming? “Well, it’s not coming is the best way to say it,” Taylor said. “I haven’t found anything that for sure says I should move ahead.” Taylor’s price tag for the Wolves and Lynx is estimated to be in the $1.5 billion range. With NBA expansion — Las Vegas and Seattle have been mentioned — current team owners could each be in for a reported $160 million expansion fee windfall. “Obviously I’m aware of that — you’ve got to pick your time,” Taylor said, adding that no definite decision for expansion has been made. “The other question: Is now a good time to sell when you don’t have fans? And it’s not a good time.”

Kendra Andrews: Kerr on Klay Thompson’s 37-point quarter that happened six years ago today: “It felt like a religious experience. Like a spiritual awakening.”

Kellan Olson: Nuggets say Jamal Murray is available to play