Viewership numbers overall have been seen as a resounding success by the Suns’ organization. The matchup between Ty Jerome and Josh Okogie (Suns vs Timberwolves) reached 3.1 million viewers on Twitter, while Mikal Bridges vs. Matisse Thybulle as the Suns vs 76ers hit 2 million, as did Miami Dolphins defensive end Shaq Lawson (as the Oklahoma City Thunder) facing Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (as the Suns). The Suns’ Twitch account, which was created only a month ago, now sits at over 448,000 total views with just under 7,000 followers.
Viewership numbers overall have been seen as a resounding success by the Suns' organization. The matchup between Ty Jerome and Josh Okogie (Suns vs Timberwolves) reached 3.1 million viewers on Twitter, while Mikal Bridges vs. Matisse Thybulle as the Suns vs 76ers hit 2 million, as did Miami Dolphins defensive end Shaq Lawson (as the Oklahoma City Thunder) facing Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (as the Suns). The Suns' Twitch account, which was created only a month ago, now sits at over 448,000 total views with just under 7,000 followers.
Royce O'Neale: Dang my 2k rating still at 73 ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ thatโs wild๐๐๐๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ How I get that up lol @Ronnie 2K @NBA2K
Fair Game: @SHAQ's reaction to finding out he's the only player to have ever received a 100 rating in @NBA2K is priceless CC: @KristineLeahy
Salman Ali: Russell Westbrook on being given a 90 rating on NBA 2K20: "To me, it doesn't mean sh*t". pic.twitter.com/4Z6hacFb0r
De'Aaron Fox: Damn @NBA2K my dunking that bad??? ๐
Alex Kennedy: These are the highest-rated teams in NBA 2K20: 1. Los Angeles Clippers (78.69) 2. Los Angeles Lakers (78.27) 3. Utah Jazz (78.17) 4. Denver Nuggets (78.08) 5. Golden State Warriors (77.71)
Jake Layman: First Look ๐ธ๐บ#2KRating pic.twitter.com/W5fyRMu7cs
Romeo Langford: GMMU @nba2k @ronnie2k #2krating
Daniel Gafford: Iโm speechless right now. Never thought this would happen. I appreciate @Ronnie2K @NBA2K #2KRatings. Yโall made my dreams come true ๐ญ๐
Tomer Azarly: #Clippers' Montrezl Harrell gets an 83 rating in NBA 2K20. He's rated one point behind #Lakers' Kyle Kuzma and #Hawks' John Collins. That's...interesting. Montrezl Harrell: Itโs a f****** joke but itโs ok ๐๐๐
Bobby Portis: Appreciate the first look @NBA2K ! Need to get that rating up though @Ronnie2K #UNDERDOG #2K20
Ryan Ward: Kyle Kuzmaโs (@Kyle Kuzma) rating for #NBA2K20 has been released. Kuz comes in with a rating of 84 this year. Did @NBA2K get it right? Too high? Too low? #Lakers pic.twitter.com/8DqEKSvYsQ
Tobias Harris: I don't know what makes me more upset the rating or the jersey ๐ฉ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ๐ฉ @NBA2K @Ronnie2K @BobanMarjanovic
Steve Noah: Ricky Rubio NBA 2K20 player rating
Here you go ๐ฆ @SacramentoKings #2KRatings
NBA 2K20: First look at former MVP of the league D-Rose๐น Thoughts on his rating? #2KRatings
NBA 2K20: Next Class: Top 5 Rookies #2KRatings
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. โIโve been on there, I didnโt have my beard,โ Morris said. โI didnโt have none of that. And I just wasnโt feeling it because I look at these other players, theyโve got everything. Theyโve got all their [facial hair and accessories] done. Theyโve got guys that havenโt played an NBA game coming in at [an] 80-something [rating] and Iโm a fucking 77. And I done been in there eight years putting in work every year. So I just feel disrespected. So I donโt play it. โI averaged 14 [points per game] for the last three years. Thereโs no way Iโm a 77 and dudes who average less than me are in the 80s. I donโt respect it. So I canโt play it.โ
โI came back less this year than I was last year. How does that even make sense?โ Morris said. โWe went to the Conference Finals. I had a great season. How do I come back less? So I canโt deal with them. โFuck them. I ainโt reaching out. I donโt feel like I should have to. I put in a lot of work.โ
โHow am I not in the top-100? Youโve got guys like [Nikola Mirotic, who was ranked 50th],โ Morris said, stumbling over the New Orleans forwardโs name. โ[Al-Farouq] Aminu (ESPNโs 100th-ranked player) and them guys, how am I not over them? You know what Iโm saying? I would just like respect.โ
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 yโall 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 ๐@NBA2K @Ronnie2K #NBA2K19
Jaren Jackson Jr.: โผ๏ธ๐โผ๏ธ๐โผ๏ธ @Ronnie 2K #NBA2K19 momma Iโm in 2K pic.twitter.com/BD3nMVOWFl
Dzanan Musa: Hey @Ronnie 2K whatโs my 2K rating? ๐๐ค #NBA2K19
Isaiah Canaan: Blessed to be apart @NBA2K & Big Ups to @Ronnie2K Off Injury I Canโt Complain lol What do you guys think?? #Gamer #Nice
Tony Bradley: ๐ค๐พ@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 โฌ๏ธ@Ronnie2K @NBA2K
Sirius XM NBA: Mo Bambaโs reaction when Kevin Knox told him his #NBALive19 rating was 81: โFor real?! Iโm about to start playing Live.โ #PaniniNBARookie @PaniniAmerica @NBA @Sirius XM NBA pic.twitter.com/kRkXUN2xOH
Trae Young: My whole life Iโve been underrated.... this ainโt nothing new๐คท๐ฝโโ๏ธ๐๐ #KeepThatSameEnergy
After his stellar first year, Kuzma told NBA 2Kโs Ronnie Singh that he was expecting a bump when NBA 2K19 releases. โI think it should be at least an 80,โ Kuzma said in a video. Kuzma got his wish โ or at least the bare minimum of it โ because Singh told him that when 2K19 drops, Kuzma will be an 80 overall, something the star sophomore forward says heโll โfor sureโ use as motivation. โBut hey, an 80โs an 80,โ 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: Donโt shoot the messenger though okay i didnโt make the rating
Josh Richardson: pic.twitter.com/4vVkIBjd6N
Josh Richardson: Hey, itโs 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 ๐ If youโre a fan and want your favorite players rating, tweet them to let them know itโs time! pic.twitter.com/h72XVUrJJF
Giannis Antetokounmpo: I see you @NBA2K!! A 94 is okay but I want more ๐ค๐ฅ #NBA2K19 #StayFreaky
Karl-Anthony Towns: 91? I donโt blame you @NBA2K, I blame @ronnie2k!
LeBron James: Man those white uniforms ainโt so bad/fresh and that rating ainโt so bad either for such an old head! ๐คฃ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ๐๐พ #NBA2K19๐ฅ #KingJames๐ #StriveForGreatness๐ #RWTW๐
#JamesGang๐
DeMarcus Cousins: I'll take it but I'm bout to show y'all something this year ๐๐พ @NBA2K #NBA2K19
Kyle Kuzma: 2k rating is disrespectful. Yโall will learn though ๐ช๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
NBA 2K19: 9โฃ4โฃfor @kawhileonard. Who won the trade? #NBA2K19
NBA 2K19: 8โฃ9โฃ New team, same rating @DeMar_DeRozan. You already know who's coming next ๐ #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 ๐ค ๐ pic.twitter.com/TGbs1Fvrez
NBA 2K19: A rating fit for a King ๐ฅ 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!!!๐ twitter.com/ronnie2k/statuโฆ
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. โIโm not a big gamer, I do play but Iโm not a guy who worries about the rating. As long as they put me in the game โ 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. Itโs 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 couldโve been even lower considering the season he had last year: โI canโt control it, I know itโs just a game. Of course with the season I had this year I couldโve expected it even lower. I know what Iโm capable of and a lot of guys, especially my fans, know what Iโm capable of and thatโs why they were mad at it, but itโs kind of based off how the season went this year.โ
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. ฮccoding to 2KRating, in 2K18, the Serbian guard is rated 77. Heโs 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 ๐ @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 Schrรถder - 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 ๐ค๐ an wrong jersey number 5
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??๐ค@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 it๐ฅ!! Need to get that up tho! #doingitforyou๐๐พ #humblehustle๐๐พ๐๐พShoutout @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 ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐๐พ@Ronnie2K @NBA2K #NBA2K18 @OrlandoMagic #tms
Jared Dudley: HUGE shoutout to my guy @Ronnie2K and the whole @NBA2K family on my exclusive pic ๐ฅ Congrats on your guys success ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
Richaun Holmesโ: 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. Matthewsโ 83 rating and how the 2K staff comes up with these numbers became a hot topic among the players in attendance. โI was at Harrison Barnesโ wedding and a major point of contention was Wesleyโs rating,โ Singh said. โHe 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 Harrisonโs reception. It got to the point that during the reception, in front of about 40 NBA players, Rick gets on the mic and says, โRonnie, we have to address this rating thing right now. You need to come up here.โ
โSo during the reception, Iโm up there in front of these 40 NBA players explaining why the ratings are the way they are and how theyโre determined. And Iโm thinking, โThis guy is in the middle of celebrating his wedding!โ Harrisonโs wife was probably like, โIโm going to murder Ronnie after this reception.โ (laughs) Theyโre both amazing people โ just a great couple โ but I just kept thinking, โThis is not the proper place for this!โ But Rick orchestrated it, so unfortunately I had to participate.โ
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. โI havenโt even talked to (basketball president Gersson Rosas) about that โ he hasnโt brought it up, but youโre asking me, and itโs probably hard to tell a guy that you arenโt doing the job when your best guy isnโt playing,โ 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. โI kid her about that, but Iโm not making any changes โ Iโm talking to Cheryl, and weโre trying to put a really good team together for the Lynx right now,โ Taylor said. โSheโs planning on coaching them. โBut,โ Taylor added, โsheโs an interesting person, isnโt she?โ

For most of a year, Taylor has explored a sale of the Wolves and Lynx. Howโs that coming? โWell, itโs not coming is the best way to say it,โ Taylor said. โI havenโt found anything that for sure says I should move ahead.โ Taylorโs price tag for the Wolves and Lynx is estimated to be in the $1.5 billion range. With NBA expansion โ Las Vegas and Seattle have been mentioned โ current team owners could each be in for a reported $160 million expansion fee windfall. โObviously Iโm aware of that โ youโve got to pick your time,โ Taylor said, adding that no definite decision for expansion has been made. โThe other question: Is now a good time to sell when you donโt have fans? And itโs not a good time.โ

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