NBA 2K13: Predicting the overall rating for every Oklahoma City Thunder player

The release of NBA 2K13 is just a few short weeks away now with the game set to hit stores Oct. 2. It’s an exciting time for any basketball fan because it means the NBA season is just around the corner.

Oklahoma City Thunder fans will be especially excited for the game with the Thunder coming off such a successful season a year ago. The Thunder have the most exciting, young team in the NBA, one that will be very fun to play with in NBA 2K13.

Kevin Durant will be on the cover of the game along with Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin. We know that Durant will be rated as one of the best players in the game but what about the entire Thunder team?

Here’s a prediction of what every Thunder player will be rated in NBA 2K13:

Kevin Durant – 94 overall

This one was pretty easy since Durant’s rating has already been revealed as a 94. It is the highest rating that we know of yet, tied with Chris Paul. Durant should be even nastier than usual in 2K13 as he should receive a bump in most of his shooting numbers as well as overall awareness ratings. Last year Dirk Nowitzki received a 99 mid range jump shot rating after winning the NBA title. Expect Durant to be ridiculously rated on his mid range and 3-pointers as well. 2K updates player ratings throughout the year based on performance and if Durant has the MVP-type of season many are expecting from him, expect his rating to climb potentially as high as 96 or 97 by the end of the year.

Russell Westbrook – 91 overall

Westbrook is turning into the perfect sidekick for Durant not only in real life but especially in a video game. In a world where turbo rules, no one embodies that better than Westbrook. An NBA Finals appearance should yield better signature styles for Westbrook which will make him that much better in 2K13. Add the fact that his midrange jumper was already money in last year’s game, and Westbrook becomes a real superstar.

James Harden – 85 overall

Harden had a breakout season last year and will see a big boost in his rating this year. His finishing skills and ability to draw fouls should all be very high which will make him extremely valuable in the game. He is coming off a career-high in true shooting percentage too so we should see a rise in most of his shooting ratings too. His defense is still suspect which is what will keep his overall rating low. But don’t be fooled by that because he should still be one of the best scorers in the game.

Serge Ibaka – 80 overall

Ibaka finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting last season and blocked more shots per game than anyone in about a decade. That will get him a 99 block shot rating or close to it. Ibaka will be one of the best defensive anchors in the game combined with his standing dunk rating and mid range rating which will make him solid on offense as well.

Kendrick Perkins – 70 overall

Perkins didn’t help his cause in terms of NBA 2K ratings with his play last season. His offense is still basically nonexistent but 2K should respect his defense which will make him decent to have on the floor when playing against the Lakers and Dwight Howard. Perkins will also have a signature skill for setting brick wall-like screens which could make him a little more valuable as well.

Thabo Sefolosha – 71 overall

Sefolosha was just a 68 last year but I expect 2K to give him a boost mostly based from team success last season. His perimeter defense we know is already considered elite on the game which will bode well for his overall. Sefolosha also had a very good year shooting the three which will make him decent as a spot-up shooter as well.

Nick Collison – 67 overall

Collison wasn’t rated very high in last year’s game but that should go up this year. He has a lot of respect among NBA circles and there was a lot of talk about how he should have played instead of Perkins late in the playoffs last year. I think 2K will hear this and give him a bump in his overall. Collison was a great offensive rebounder last year and should be the same in 2K13.

Eric Maynor – 66 overall

Maynor only played nine games last season so he shouldn’t see much of a change in his rating. He is still considered one of the best backup point guards in the league and should maybe bet rated a little higher than this.

Daequan Cook – 61 overall

Cook won’t see much of a change in his rating from last year either. He didn’t really improve much as a 3-point shooter but he may be one of the players to receive the signature skill as a corner 3-point shooter specialist. If that is the case, then he will become a little more valuable.

Perry Jones III – 64 overall

Jones was a lottery-level talent that fell to the Thunder in this past draft. He has some injury concerns but nevertheless will be rated decently based on his talent and upside. He should be very athletic on the game and a good dunker which will make him very popular to play with for Thunder fans.

Reggie Jackson – 62 overall

Jackson had an overall unimpressive rookie campaign and will not be rated very high at all in the game. 62 may actually be pretty generous.

Cole Aldrich – 55 overall

Aldrich will be battling it out for the backup center minutes next year but 2K13 hasn’t seen anything yet from him.

Hasheem Thabeet – 56 overall

NBA 2K13 should give Thabeet a little respect since he is a former No. 2 overall pick and his size at 7-foot-3 will make him a decent option to have on the floor in the game.