NBA 2K20 Player Rating Edit Guide

[Real2KInsider]

Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, we're being encouraged to "Socially distance". To me, this means more people will be gaming than ever before.

With the NBA suspending the regular season, we're effectively in a mini-offseason. Statistics will be locked for the next few weeks (if not longer). This provides an opportunity to catch up on the state of 2K's NBA roster.

As an aside, this is my 17th year editing 2K rosters. Essentially half my life, which is a bit mind-boggling to wrap my head around. Some of you may be familiar with my older work, for others it might be the first time.

Thinking back, when I was a kid my favorite book was "Basketball Almanac, 96-97", by Marty Strasen.

"Features scouting reports on more than three hundred professional basketball players, sixty top rookie prospects, and a hundred top college players, along with their career statistics, fantasy league and trading card values, and much more."

I took this book with me everywhere. It was my Basketball-Reference years before the Internet as we know it today. When I played basketball video games I was always fixated on up****** teams and players where possible (imagine playing any modern 2K with the out-of-box roster). It was only natural that I got into roster editing. I realize years later my guides and rosters were my attempt to re-create that book. A mix of data and scouting to be enjoyed by all.

[Real2KInsider]

I figured I'd start with the NBA's top team, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Eventually I will move this off forum to a localized document for ease of viewing (not to mention formatting).

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Position: PF/C
H/W/A: 6’11” / 242 lbs / 25 years
Archetype: 2-Way Slashing Playmaker
98 Overall (+1)



OFFENSE
99 Driving Layup (+1)
85 Post Fadeaway (+11)
75 Post Hook (-5)
85 Post Control (+1)
99 Draw Foul (+2)
75 Shot Close (-16)
83 Shot Mid (+1)
77 Shot 3pt (+3)
63 Free Throw (+1)
85 Ball Control (-1)
83 Pass Vision (+5)
85 Pass IQ (-5)
90 Pass Accuracy (+9)
64 Offensive Rebound (-20)
90 Standing Dunk (+5)
99 Driving Dunk (+4)
99 Shot IQ (+1)
99 Hands (+4)

Giannis has a fadeaway he goes to in the post. It's simple, yet effective. While he's not Durant or Dirk yet, he's basically unblockable due to his length.

While his short mid-range game (Close Shot) is improved, it is still a work in progress (and not remotely close to being a 91).
2020: 98-265 (37%) - 57 games
2019: 101-317 (32%) - 87 games

2K substantially overrates his offensive rebounding ability (not an uncommon practice for them). While his 7.8 ORB% is a career high, it only ranks 27th in the NBA (6th among PF).

DEFENSE
99 Defensive Rebound (+5)
90 Interior Defense (+4)
99 Perimeter Defense (+7)
64 Block (-6)
65 Steal (+19)
90 Shot Contest (-1)
95 Reaction Time (+5)

Giannis is 2nd in the NBA w/ 34.5 DRB%, on par with prime Kevin Love.
His individual defense is so absurd teams don't even bother trying to attack him anymore. In 36 defensive Isolation possessions, he has given up 13 points (0.36 PPP, 4-27 FG).

ATHLETICISM
95 Lateral Quickness (+2)
90 Speed
90 Ball Speed (+4)
90 Acceleration (+3)
95 Vertical (+10)
80 Strength (+10)
99 Stamina (+1)
95 Hustle (NC)
95 Durability (NC)

Many of 2K's strength ratings are outdated. Giannis came into the league lanky but he's brolic now. At 6'11" 242 his size is legit. He also has a 40-inch vert.

MENTAL
75 Pass Perception (-13)
99 Offensive Consistency (+1)
99 Defensive Consistency (+9)
90 PNR Defense (+1)
95 Help Defense (+6)
99 Intangibles (+1)
99 Potential (+1)

Giannis has the highest RPM (Real Plus-Minus) in the NBA. He ranks 2nd in ORPM behind James Harden, and 3rd in DRPM behind Rudy Gobert and Patrick Beverley.

Looking at players who were that other-worldly dominant on both ends, it's really just Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

49 BADGES (+4)
FINISHING (14): Contact Finisher (H), Fancy Footwork (H), Relentless Finisher (H), Acrobat (G), Consistent Finisher (G), Cross-Key Scorer (G), Showtime (G), Slithery Finisher (G), Lob City Finisher (S), Pro Touch (S), Putback Boss (S), Backdown Punisher (B), Fastbreak Finisher (B), Pick & Roller (B-ADD)
SHOOTING (4): Pump Fake Maestro (G), Quick Draw (G), Difficult Shots (S), Deep Fades (B-ADD)
PLAYMAKING (12): Downhill (G), Bail Out (S), Break Starter (S), Dimer (S-UP1), Floor General (S), Lob City Passer (S), Post Spin Technician (S), Stop & Go (S), Dream Shake (B-ADD), Flashy Passer (B), Needle Threader (B), Pass Fake Maestro (B)
DEFENSE (19): Chase Down Artist (G), Clamps (G), Heart Crusher (G), Intimidator (G), Pogo Stick (G), Rebound Chaser (G-UP1), Trapper (G), Box (S), Defensive Leader (S), Interceptor (S), Lightning Reflexes (S), Moving Truck (S), Off-Ball Pest (S), Tireless Defender (S), Worm (S), Pick Dodger (B), Pick Pocket (B), Post Move Lockdown (B), Rim Protector (B-ADD)
PERSONALITY (3): Alpha Dog, Expressive, Friendly

[Real2KInsider]

Khris Middleton
Position: SF/PF
H/W/A: 6’7” / 222 lbs / 28 years
Archetype: Scoring Machine (from 2-Way 3-Level Scorer)
90 Overall (+3)



Not going to pull any punches here. Even though there's only a 3-point OVR difference, 2K's ratings here are atrocious.

OFFENSE
90 Driving Layup (+6)
90 Post Fadeaway (+26)
60 Post Hook (+11)
80 Post Control (+25)
60 Draw Foul (-5)
99 Shot Close (+6)
99 Shot Mid (+3)
88 Shot 3pt (+1)
91 Free Throw (NC)
85 Ball Control (+11)
67 Pass Vision (-4)
70 Pass IQ (NC)
75 Pass Accuracy (-3)
38 Offensive Rebound (NC)
40 Standing Dunk (NC)
60 Driving Dunk (+5)
99 Shot IQ (+2)
85 Hands (+1)

Middleton creates 46.8% of his offensive possessions.
25.5% Pick & Roll
12.6% Isolation
8.7% Post Up

He is a legitimate 2nd option on the NBA's top team, made his second All-Star team, yet 2K has him rated worse than Wesley Matthews as a shot creator (75 Handle, 65 Post). This is truly inexcusable.

DEFENSE
67 Defensive Rebound (NC)
65 Interior Defense (-2)
80 Perimeter Defense (-5)
39 Block (+4)
64 Steal (+21)
80 Shot Contest (NC)
80 Reaction Time (+27)

That 53 RT rating hasn't been updated since they added the attribute to the game three years ago. More sloppy work that indicates a lacking attention to detail.

ATHLETICISM
85 Lateral Quickness (+2)
75 Speed (+4)
75 Ball Speed (+4)
75 Acceleration (+3)
50 Vertical (-16)
65 Strength (+15)
95 Stamina (+7)
85 Hustle (+1)
90 Durability (NC)

50 strength for a 222-pound Post-Up wing. Just another attribute that hasn't been updated in years.

MENTAL
75 Pass Perception (-5)
95 Offensive Consistency (+5)
70 Defensive Consistency (-5)
90 PNR Defense (+9)
80 Help Defense (+2)
90 Intangibles (NC)
90 Potential (+3)

I'll try not to have such a negative slant in subsequent edits, but 2K truly deserves some criticism here. This isn't nitpicking over a role player. Middleton is arguably a top 20 player in the league.

20 BADGES (+3)
FINISHING (3): Tear Dropper (S), Fancy Footwork (B-ADD), Slithery Finisher (B-ADD)
SHOOTING (13): Catch & Shoot (G), Corner Specialist (G-UP1), Quick Draw (G), Steady Shooter (G), Deadeye (S), Difficult Shots (S), Green Machine (S), Hot Start (S), Slippery Off-Ball (S), Tireless Shooter (S), Pump Fake Maestro (B-ADD), Range Extender (B), Volume Shooter (B)
PLAYMAKING (2): Bail Out (S), Space Creator (B)
DEFENSE (2): Pick Dodger (S-UP), Off-Ball Pest (B)

[DancyHercules3]

Great to see stuff like this from you Rashidi. Always been a big fan of your work since last gen 2K13 days Keep doing it my brotha

[Real2KInsider]

Eric Bledsoe
Position: PG
H/W/A: 6’1” / 214 lbs / 30 years
Archetype: 2-Way Inside-Out Playmaker (from 2-Way Slashing Playmaker)
86 Overall (+3)



OFFENSE
95 Driving Layup (+7)
65 Post Fadeaway (+25)
40 Post Hook (+15)
60 Post Control (+32)
70 Draw Foul (+20)
74 Shot Close (+3)
78 Shot Mid (-2)
81 Shot 3pt (+3)
81 Free Throw (-2)
90 Ball Control (+4)
76 Pass Vision (+2)
80 Pass IQ (-4)
85 Pass Accuracy (+2)
39 Offensive Rebound (+1)
25 Standing Dunk
45 Driving Dunk (-30)
98 Shot IQ (+18)
85 Hands (-3)

Bledsoe has only dunked twice this year (15 last year). He isn't finishing as explosively, as he deals w/ knee issues.

I have his Post ratings based on his prior two seasons (absurd efficiency in 25 possessions). Safely consider him one of the better post PGs in league, but there's no reason for him to utilize it on this roster.

DEFENSE
59 Defensive Rebound (-1)
50 Interior Defense (-9)
90 Perimeter Defense (-1)
49 Block (-7)
67 Steal (+21)
85 Shot Contest (+2)
95 Reaction Time (+13)

Bledsoe was All-Defense 1st team last season.

ATHLETICISM
90 Lateral Quickness (-1)
85 Speed (NC)
85 Ball Speed (NC)
85 Acceleration (-1)
90 Vertical (+2)
65 Strength (+10)
95 Stamina (NC)
80 Hustle (NC)
80 Durability (+6)

At 6'1" / 214, Bledsoe is built like a linebacker. He has 30 pounds on Kemba Walker.

MENTAL
90 Pass Perception (+8)
90 Offensive Consistency (+20)
65 Defensive Consistency (-25)
80 PNR Defense (-2)
85 Help Defense (-5)
80 Intangibles (+30)
90 Potential (+5)

31 BADGES (+1)
FINISHING (7): Contact Finisher (G), Tear Dropper (G), Fancy Footwork (S), Giant Slayer (S), Slithery Finisher (S), Acrobat (B), Consistent Finisher (B)
SHOOTING (1): Pump Fake Maestro (B)
PLAYMAKING (11): Bail Out (S), Floor General (S), Quick First Step (S), Ankle Breaker (B), Dimer (B-ADD), Downhill (B), Flashy Passer (B), Handles for Days (B), Lob City Passer (B), Tight Handles (B), Unpluckable (B)
DEFENSE (12): Clamps (G), Heart Crusher (G), Lightning Reflexes (G), Off-Ball Pest (G), Pick Dodger (G), Tireless Defender (G), Trapper (G), Interceptor (S), Intimidator (S), Pick Pocket (S), Chase Down Artist (B), Defensive Leader (B)
PERSONALITY (2): Extremely Confident, Laid Back

[Real2KInsider]

Brook Lopez
Position: C
H/W/A: 7’0” / 282 lbs / 31 years
Archetype: Interior Force (from 2-Way Mid-Range Finisher)
81 Overall (+2)



OFFENSE
70 Driving Layup
75 Post Fadeaway (-5)
90 Post Hook (+4)
90 Post Control (+1)
55 Draw Foul (-17)
89 Shot Close (-3)
78 Shot Mid (-3)
76 Shot 3pt (+4)
81 Free Throw (-5)
55 Ball Control (+20)
50 Pass Vision (+16)
60 Pass IQ (-18)
55 Pass Accuracy (+20)
38 Offensive Rebound (-7)
80 Standing Dunk
55 Driving Dunk (-5)
72 Shot IQ (+2)
95 Hands (+15)

Lopez hasn't shot the three-ball well this year. After hitting 187 last year (37%), he's down to 84 this year (30%). Easily his worst since he started taking them. He hit 5+ threes in a game 9 times last season but only did it once this year.

He's doubled his post touches from last season to compensate for his poor stroke. Still an elite scorer when called upon.

DEFENSE
59 Defensive Rebound (NC)
95 Interior Defense (+11)
70 Perimeter Defense (+25)
99 Block (+4)
60 Steal (+22)
99 Shot Contest (+19)
80 Reaction Time (NC)

Where Lopez has continued to make an impact with the Bucks is on the defensive end of the floor. He's an unheralded DPOY candidate thanks to improved rim protection. Lopez has lead the league in contested shots each of the last two years (Gobert was 2nd both years). Ranks 2nd in the league with 8.0 BLK% this year after ranking 4th last year.

Rebounding has always been his weakness; Just another reason why he and Giannis compliment each other so well.

ATHLETICISM
45 Lateral Quickness (+20)
45 Speed (+20)
40 Ball Speed (+15)
40 Acceleration (+15)
45 Vertical (-15)
99 Strength (+16)
85 Stamina (-7)
80 Hustle (NC)
80 Durability (NC)

Hate the idea of giving Lopez minimum speed ratings. He ain't Boban. There's tape of him taking players off the dribble. Pretty agile compared to most 280 pounders in history.

MENTAL
60 Pass Perception (-9)
50 Offensive Consistency (-25)
95 Defensive Consistency (+20)
75 PNR Defense (+11)
85 Help Defense (-4)
90 Intangibles (-5)
90 Potential (+6)

As mentioned, Lopez's defense is his calling card while his offense has been erratic this year.

15 BADGES (+6)
FINISHING (5): Deep Hooks (S-ADD), Putback Boss (S), Tear Dropper (S-ADD), Backdown Punisher (B-ADD), Pick & Roller (B)
SHOOTING (3): Pick & Popper (S), Catch & Shoot (B-DOWN1), Range Extender (B)
PLAYMAKING (2): Dream Shake (S), Post Spin Technician (S)
DEFENSE (5): Rim Protector (G-UP1), Brick Wall (S), Moving Truck (S), Defensive Leader (B-ADD), Post Move Lockdown (B-ADD)
PERSONALITY (1): Laid Back

[Real2KInsider]

Wesley Matthews
Position: SG/SF
H/W/A: 6’4” / 220 lbs / 32 years
Archetype: 3 & D Guard (from 3pt Specialist)
77 Overall (+2)



OFFENSE
80 Driving Layup (+2)
70 Post Fadeaway (+5)
60 Post Hook (-3)
70 Post Control (+5)
45 Draw Foul (-15)
66 Shot Close (-5)
72 Shot Mid (NC)
83 Shot 3pt (+2)
78 Free Throw (-2)
75 Ball Control (NC)
49 Pass Vision (+16)
60 Pass IQ (-17)
60 Pass Accuracy (-12)
32 Offensive Rebound (+3)
40 Standing Dunk (-5)
45 Driving Dunk (-25)
61 Shot IQ (-21)
85 Hands (NC)

Matthews isn't much more than a 3pt specialist nowadays. He's posted up 11 times this season (down from 104 last season).

Wes has only dunked 5 times in 5 years since tearing his Achilles. Maybe it's time for 2K to update his dunk rating?

DEFENSE
46 Defensive Rebound (NC)
60 Interior Defense (+22)
90 Perimeter Defense (+10)
40 Block (NC)
59 Steal (+21)
80 Shot Contest (NC)
85 Reaction Time (+5)

Wes has spent most of his career matching up with SFs... his PostDef should be higher than 38.

ATHLETICISM
80 Lateral Quickness (NC)
70 Speed (NC)
70 Ball Speed (+2)
70 Acceleration (-5)
70 Vertical (-15)
65 Strength (+10)
85 Stamina (+5)
80 Hustle (NC)
90 Durability (NC)

MENTAL
70 Pass Perception (-9)
50 Offensive Consistency (NC)
95 Defensive Consistency (+15)
85 PNR Defense (+3)
75 Help Defense (-5)
80 Intangibles (+15)
85 Potential (+6)

Matthews comfortably made the transition to premier 3 & D player. His production hasn't been very far off from Danny Green this season, and he makes 11 million dollars less!

8 BADGES (+2)
SHOOTING (3): Catch & Shoot (S-UP1), Corner Specialist (S-ADD), Range Extender (B), Slippery Off-Ball (B)
DEFENSE (3): Off-Ball Pest (S), Pick Dodger (S-ADD), Clamps (B), Trapper (B)

[Kully]

Just posting to follow this thread and to say thanks.