NBA 2K21 release: 5 absurd stats from the game that have left the fans shocked

James Harden will not be pleased with his three-pointer rating.
James Harden will not be pleased with his three-pointer rating.

Basketball fans all around the globe waited expectantly for months for the NBA 2K21 release day, also popularly referred to with the hashtag #2KDay on social media. The NBA 2K21 release finally happened on the 4th of September.

The initial reactions were mixed, with some delighted to get their hands of the latest edition of the game and others feeling NBA 2K21 left a lot to be desired.

One of the aspects of NBA 2K21 that was most commonly criticized was the player ratings and other relevant statistics. As was the case with previous editions of the game, NBA 2K21 too had a number of statistics that most fans of the game did not agree with whatsoever. Some numbers for certain players were a little too over the top and thus were downright disrespectful to other players.

Let's take a look at 5 absurd stats from NBA 2K21 that will blow your mind!


Ja Morant as good a three-point shooter as CJ McCollum and Kemba Walker

Ja Morant can do a lot of things very well - shooting a 3 isn't one of them yet!
Ja Morant can do a lot of things very well - shooting a 3 isn't one of them yet!

According to NBA 2K21, Ja Morant has a 3-point shot rating of 82 which is the same as Devin Booker, CJ McCollum, Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, and D'Angelo Russell - all of whom have made a lot more threes than Morant in their career, and with better efficiency.

Over 15 players who finished in the top 50 in the NBA in 3-pointers made this season have a worse rating in NBA 2K21 than Ja Morant - including Kyle Lowry, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic. 2K have some serious explaining to do.


Enes Kanter a better shot-block than Joel Embiid

Enes Kanter has often been criticized for his defense, but he's still better than Joel Embiid according to 2K!
Enes Kanter has often been criticized for his defense, but he's still better than Joel Embiid according to 2K!

Again, in the eyes of NBA 2K21, Enes Kanter's shot-blocking abilities have gotten him a rather generous block attribute of 78. NBA 2K21 also believes that the Turk is better than Joel Embiid at that skill - who has been given a 77 instead.

To put things into perspective, Joel Embiid has many more blocked shots in his 4-year long career than Enes Kanter has in his 9 years in the NBA. Moreover, Kanter averages 0.5 blocks a game throughout his career, while Embiid averages 1.8. Another mind-numbing move by the makers of NBA 2K21.

NBA 2K21 Release: Andrew Wiggins is better at driving dunks than LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo

Wiggins can throw it down, but not quite like Giannis!
Wiggins can throw it down, but not quite like Giannis!

The creators of NBA 2K21 clearly think very highly of Andrew Wiggins as they have rated his ability to drive to the paint and dunk a whopping 94 .Wiggins surely has a bit of bounce about him but one truly understands the absurdity of the rating when they realize than Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are only rated 91 when it comes to that skill.

NBA 2K21 has some puzzling ratings but this one is right up there. Also, Gerald Green's driving dunk is rated 92 - still more than LeBron and Giannis!


Paul Millsap is the joint 13th best 3-point shooter in the NBA

Paul Millsap can certainly hit a three - but not to this extent!
Paul Millsap can certainly hit a three - but not to this extent!

NBA 2K21 sees veteran power forward Paul Millsap warrant an illogically high 87 three-point shot rating. Yes, Millsap did shoot 43.5% from 3 this season, but he only attempted around 2 threes a game.

His career 3-point percentage stands at 34.3%. In the world of NBA 2K21, he is better from downtown than James Harden, Kevin Durant, Trae Young, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Joe Harris, Danilo Gallinari, and many, many more reputed shooters.

The NBA 2K21 producers need to make some serious changes in their ratings since some of these statistics are beyond insanity.


Daniel Theis has a better mid-range jumper than Kawhi Leonard

The two-time finals MVP was shown no respect by NBA 2K21
The two-time finals MVP was shown no respect by NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 has seriously underrated one of the best players in the world today in Kawhi Leonard. Though the LA Clippers star has an overall rating of 97, his mid-range is rated a paltry 81. The makers of NBA 2K21 believe than Boston Celtic center Daniel Theis is better than him when it comes to making mid-range shots and thereby gave him a handsome 83.

Again, to put things into perspective, only LaMarcus Aldridge made more mid-range shots than Kawhi Leonard per game in 2019-20.

That's not all. Here are a few more players who are better mid-range scorers than Leonard according to NBA 2K21 - Harry Giles, Thon Maker, Frank Mason III, Skal Labissiere, Eric Paschall... the list goes on! Ridiculous.


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Edited by S Chowdhury