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San Antonio Spurs: NBA 2K21 ratings don’t do justice to the players at all

By Dylan Carter

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Official ratings for NBA 2K21 are live and once again, it’s clear that those at 2K don’t have any grasp on this San Antonio Spurs team as constructed.

If you’re expecting NBA 2K to get things right, you’re in for a world of disappointment year after year. Competition is limited as 2K has the market cornered on basketball video games, making it hard for NBA fans to shy away from it. For San Antonio Spurs fans, the ratings in the newest installation, NBA 2K21, should be a strong indicator to stay away from the game.

Three players are rated at 80 overall or better for the silver and black: DeMar DeRozan (88), LaMarcus Aldridge (86) and Dejounte Murray (80). DeRozan and Aldridge are pretty accurate — DeRozan is getting a high rating that he deserves while Aldridge sees a bit of a dip despite improving as a 3-point shooter. For Murray, an 80 seems fair until he proves himself in a greater role.

However, leaving Derrick White stuck at a 79 tells us that those at NBA 2K aren’t paying attention to the Spurs. The leading scorer for San Antonio when healthy in the Orlando bubble, White has turned a corner in his playing career. He’s hit his stride as an offensive force who can launch triples at a high rate and defend just about anyone on the perimeter.

Spurs ratings for #2K21

The classic spurs teams are the ‘99 championship team, ‘14 team and the 7 player ‘05 team but we got long hair Ginobili let’s fucking GO pic.twitter.com/fi5RUMtK4g

— Dylan (@Dylangonzalez21) September 3, 2020

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His ratings include an A- 3-pointer, A- perimeter defense and A- playmaking grade — Each of which is accurate. Instead of giving White his due diligence, 2K is using less influential statistics like “intangibles” and D- rebounding to lower his grade, for whatever reason.

Other poor grades include Jakob Poeltl (76), Trey Lyles (75) and Lonnie Walker IV (73). Even with this eight-game sample size of seeding games for developers to truly watch and pay attention to these players, they failed to get it right. It’s the same lack of attention to detail that gave players the same My Park setting for years in a row. It’s what’s regressed the MyGM and My League game modes year after year. It’s what turned MyTeam from a fun, competitive environment into a money-grab. 2K doesn’t pay attention to much more than the money it racks in each season.

Considering the next generation of console gaming is around the corner, NBA 2K has a chance to evolve with the times.

Next. What will it take for Lonnie Walker IV to become an All-Star?

Just like the Spurs are trying to do at this point in their organization’s progression, it’s time for 2K to get with the times and adapt to the future.