Comparing OKC Thunder NBA 2K21 team ranks versus the competition

Continuing our review of the NBA 2K21 ratings Thunderous Intentions examines the OKC Thunder team ratings and comparison to opponents.

Our recent article highlighted where each of the OKC Thunder players ranked in the recently released NBA 2K21 ratings. In this article, we dive in deeper to compare where the team ranked in eight specialized categories and how they compare to their opponents.

Team ratings are based on the top eight players’ performance in each category. As a team here’s how the Thunder ranked in key categories:

Overall Rating  – 80, Tier 2

• Inside Scoring: 62
• Outside Scoring: 87
• Athleticism: 76
• Playmaking: 75
• Defense: 66
• Rebounding: 56
• Intangibles: 61
• Potential: 83

Comparing OKC Thunder NBA 2K21 team ratings to opponents

For perspective, the following clubs received the top ratings in each of the above categories:

Overall Rating:

Ten teams are grouped in tier one with the Nets claiming the best overall rating, four teams ranked with an 82 rating, and five with 81.

• Nets – 83 rating
• Celtics | Clippers | Lakers | Bucks – 82 rating
• Warriors | Nuggets | Rockets | 76ers | Raptors – 81 rating

The following denotes the top three (or four if tied) teams in each of the sub-categories with the Thunder landing in two categories.

Inside Scoring:

1. Lakers – 89 rating
2. 76ers – 87 rating
3. Mavs – 82 rating

This trio makes sense given the personnel of the clubs as they all feature a big man (Davis, Embiid, Porzingis) as well as a strong playmaker (LeBron, Luka Doncic) or an athletic driving guard (Simmons).

Outside Scoring:

1. Nets | Warriors – 88  rating
2. Nuggets/Thunder –  87 rating

A bit of an interesting selection given the top five 3-point teams in terms of efficiency last season was the Jazz, Heat, Blazers, Spurs, and Raptors. The top five teams for made 3-pointers were the Rockets, Mavericks, Raptors, Bucks, and Pelicans.

Selecting the Nets and Warriors is understandable since Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will be back with the Warriors while Durant and Irving will be back and healthy for the Nets. Although both Denver and OKC have capable perimeter scorers last season they ranked 15th and 17th respectively.

Athleticism:

1. Rockets – 88 rating
2. Lakers – 86 rating
3. Bucks – 84 rating

Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo offer three very good reasons why the Rockets, Lakers, and Bucks land the top athleticism scores.

Playmaking:

1. Nets – 82
2. Warriors/Bucks – 78

Given the Suns averaged over 27 assists per game last season it’s odd they don’t come close to the trio of top-ranked teams (Suns rating: 68). Granted playmaking is more than simply compiling assists but they also proved to be adept at ball movement and continually improved as the season progressed.

Defense:

1. Bucks | Raptors – 70
2. Lakers/76ers – 69

While an argument could be made for the Celtics this quartet makes sense as the top three defenses belonged to the Bucks, Raptors, and Lakers. The Celtics or Heat could’ve been in the mix but with Doc Rivers joining the 76ers it’s a good bet defense will be a priority and unless there are sweeping changes to the roster they should be among the top defensive clubs in 2020-21.

Rebounding:

1. Lakers/Heat – 64
2. Celtics/Cavaliers – 62

Last season the top three rebounding teams were the Bucks, Nets, and Clippers. In terms of defensive rebound percentage the Bucks, 76ers, and Heat led the league.

Leaving the Bucks off the top-rated teams seems suspect as does the inclusion of the Celtics who don’t have typical big men.

Intangibles:

1. Pacers/Wizards – 80
2. Raptors – 75

Of all the categories these last two (intangibles/potential) have the fewest existing statistics to draw from the previous season and can vary drastically based on individual opinion.

Presumably, the top three rated teams are landed in these positions based on a few key factors like health, free agency, and growth. John Wall will be back with the Wizards and the Pacers will have a full season of a healthy Victor Oladipo. Indiana also has a new head coach Nate Bjorkgren, who much like his friend and mentor Nick Nurse is very creative with systems and lineups. As for the Raptors, they have several core players who are free agents and after a less than stellar performance in the bubble Pascal Siakam is committed to an offseason dedicated to growth.

Potential:

1. Nets – 85
2. Lakers/Pelicans/Blazers/Raptors- 84

Like the intangible category, ‘potential’ is based on opinion. That said, each of the top-rated teams are logical choices.  The Nets showcased a no-quit attitude and depth while missing their top two stars. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving back healthy many pundits believe Brooklyn could win the East. New head coach Steve Nash has to figure out how to let his stars shine while keeping Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie happy with enough touches.

Stan Van Gundy is yet another new head coach who inherits a nice roster mix of talented youth and quality vets. His main task will be helping Zion Williamson recognize his potential and keeping him healthy.  The young talented Grizzlies and Suns could also have landed atop this category but this choice makes sense given J.J. Redick and Jrue Holiday offer quality veteran leadership.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

The inclusion of the Lakers who’ll have confidence from their championship and the Blazers who’ll have a healthy squad also makes sense. And, as mentioned the Raptors will feature a motivated Siakam as well as OG Anunoby who should be ready to take another step. What happens with free agents Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol (who is likely headed to Spain), Serge Ibaka, and Chris Boucher could greatly impact what happens North of the border.

The OKC Thunder are in a similar situation as the Raptors with trades potentially impacting the upcoming season. Danilo Gallinari is a free agent who many believe will sign elsewhere. Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams are all under contract but could be traded if the brain trust elects to fully commit to rebuilding.

The other key for the Thunder will be the growth of the young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, and Luguentz Dort.  That the NBA 2K crew gave OKC an 83 in this category suggests they (like Thunder Nation) aren’t sure of what decisions Sam Presti will make.

How do you feel about the OKC Thunder team ratings? Let us know in the comments section if you think the rankings are appropriate or were too low.