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The NBA 2K22 game is set to be released on September 10th, with a range of in-game information and ratings having already been released. This year, some familiar names such as the likes of Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and newly crowned NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been given the in-game highest overall of 96.
NBA 2K also recently released ratings for the five best 3-point shooters, rookies and revealed some other ratings. No game-wise player-database has been released so far, making it difficult to ascertain the position-wise best players for the game. With the ratings of top centers such as Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert and 2021 NBA MVP Nikola Jokic already out, the following article predicts the top five centers in the NBA 2K22 game.
NBA 2K22: Top five Centers in the game
The NBA 2K series places a heavy emphasis on performances the past season. For example, players such as Cameron Payne and Miles Bridges saw a reduction in overall ratings this year despite having successful seasons. One reason might be the fact that both players did not enjoy starting roles for their teams this season, something which appears to have played a big role.
Hence, the following predictions for the NBA 2K22 game are based on performances in the 2020-21 NBA season:
#5 Clint Capela – 88
Clint Capela is bound to see an upgrade in his overall of 86 from last year considering his form the past season. The Atlanta Hawks pulled off an unlikely run until the Eastern Conference Finals last season and after Trae Young had Clint Capela to thank.
Capela led the league in rebounds and averaged 15.2 points with two blocks and 0.7 steals per game. Capela was also the most efficient shooter on the Atlanta Hawks lineup with an overall efficiency of 59.4% and might actually end up with a an overall of at least 88. However, he is expected to be one of the top-5 centers for this year.
#4 Bam Adebayo – 88
NBA 2K21 had given a rating of 87 to Bam Adebayo with a build of an Interior Force. The fact that the Miami Heat were knocked out in the first round had little to do with Adebayo’s individual performances. As a matter of fact, he had his career-best season with respect to both points (18.7 ppg) and assists (5.4 assists per game).
Adebayo had an overall of 87 last season, and did enough to warrant an 88 for this year. Other Centers who perhaps narrowly missed out on out predictions for the top five include Nikola Vucevic and Karl Anthony-Townes. Both are expected to finish with overalls of 87 in NBA 2K22.
#3 Rudy Gobert – 88
The defensive player of the year might have a couple of qualms about not being given a 90+ overall after leading the Utah Jazz to the top of the Western Conference last season. Gobert had an overall of 88 with the build of a Glass-Cleaning Lockdown last year and is expected to be the best defender in NBA 2K22 as well.
Gobert produced a similar season like last year with respect to statistics for the Utah Jazz in 2020-21, and finished with 14.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Gobert might have a defensive rating but his limitations with respect to playmaking and shooting have somewhat held him back, and not let him become an 90+ overall player.
#2 Joel Embiid – 95
Another player whose rating has already been released, Joel Embiid is the joint second-highest rated player in the NBA 2K22 game. The past year was a topsy-turvy one for Joel Embiid; he was the favorite for the MVP award until his injury and led a spirited charge for the Philadelphia 76ers, who eventually fell short against Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks in the Conference semifinals.
Regardless, Embiid had done enough to warrant a 95 rating. He had the exact same overall last year with a build of a 2-Way 3-Level Scorer. As far as centers are concerned, Embiid is the joint-highest rated player at his position alongside a certain MVP winner.
#1 Nikola Jokic - 95
Nikola Jokic did everything in his power to take the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference semifinals, where they lost to eventual runners-up Phoenix Suns. Jokic had an immensely improved season compared to recent years and has actually seen a reduction in his overall.
He was rated 96 last year with a build of a 3-Level Playmaker, and has been bumped down to 95 this year. That might not be a representation of his skill, as the overall ratings system appears to have seen a change in parameters for NBA 2K22. Regardless, Jokic is the joint second-highest rated player in the game with a 95, and will be looking to go farther with the Nuggets this year.
