'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Like every year, NBA 2K22 does not have a player database released in the run-up to the September 10th release date. Instead, a range of individual player ratings, along with the best 10 players in the game, were revealed well in advance. NBA 2K22 has brought a range of changes to the MyCareer and MyNBA game modes, bringing a greater sense of realism to the latest edition of the game.
This realism has carried over to player-ratings as well, with as many as four players sharing the accolade of being the best-rated player in the game. In this article, we look at the best starting lineup with respect to player ratings in NBA 2K22.
NBA 2K22 Ratings: Starting lineup using best players at each position
Out of the four players rated 96, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant both play chiefly at the Power forward position. While Giannis won the 2021 NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Durant led Team USA to their fourth straight Olympic gold medal, and is the better overall player. Hence, Durant takes up the Power forward spot.
A similar situation arose when it came to the Center position, with both Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic rated 95 in NBA 2K22. However, the 2021 MVP winner is the obvious choice between the two as far as the best starting lineup for NBA 2K22 is concerned:
Center – Nikola Jokic – 95
Nikola Jokic had his best ever season with respect to multiple categories. He averaged more than 25 ppg for the first time in his career and had 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, both career-highs. As a result, he was selected as the 2021 NBA MVP.
However, NBA 2K22 has downgraded Nikola Jokic from a 96 overall to a 95, making him the joint-best center in the league alongside the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid. However, Embiid missed a number of games through injury which arguably affected his MVP credentials as well.
Power Forward – Kevin Durant – 96
The Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant were unlucky to be hit with crucial injuries throughout the 2020-21 NBA season. Their playoff run ended against the Milwaukee Bucks in the conference semifinals after both James Harden and Kyrie Irving suffered injuries.
Regardless, Durant is still at least the second-best player in the NBA and averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Durant has been given an overall of 96, making him the joint-best player in the game. He has been chosen over Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a similar overall and led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship.
Also Check Out: NBA 2K22 Latest News, Updates and Ratings
Small Forward – LeBron James – 96
It's impossible to look past LeBron James, the best small forward in NBA 2K22. His closest rival is the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, who has been given an overall of 95 this year. James broke multiple records last season and became the first ever to average more than 25 points for 17 straight seasons in the NBA.
The LA Lakers were also unlucky with injuries to both Anthony Davis and James at crucial parts of the season. Their recent moves will give them the confidence to lift their second championship in three years, with LeBron James again expected to play a huge part.
Point Guard – Stephen Curry – 96
Stephen Curry was on a weak roster, especially because of Klay Thompson’s long term absence. The Golden State Warriors are expected to be playoff contenders again after Thompson’s return, with their backcourt duo easily one of the best the NBA has ever seen.
Curry was the 2021 scoring champion and finished with a career-best of 32 points per game. He bounced back from a difficult 2019-20 season and shot at more than 60% overall for the third time in the last four years. Curry is easily the best point-guard in the league, something that will be reflected in NBA 2K22 as well.
Shooting Guard – James Harden – 94
The lowest rated player in the starting lineup, James Harden will be itching to win his first ever championship with the Brooklyn Nets. He was in conversation for the MVP award last season before the injury-related interference, and is still the best shooting-guard in the game.
Harden has an overall of 94, with his Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving the second-highest rated Shooting Guard in the game, with an overall of 91. Hence, while he is the least-rated in the best starting lineup of NBA 2K22, Harden’s closest competitor is three overall points away, which is the most amongst the players mentioned in this list.
