Are the OKC Thunder being disrespected by NBA 2k?

The OKC Thunder are going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the entire NBA next season. Owning one of the best young cores in the league, who also embrace social media, makes them a team young fans rally around. This should spark them to be one of the most used teams in NBA 2k24 when the game releases in a matter of weeks.

From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s superstar leap, Jalen Williams’s do-it-all archetype, Josh Giddey’s passing, and Chet Holmgren’s unicorn-like ability, it is clear to see why the OKC Thunder could be a play-now team of choice. However, as the ratings roll out for the initial release of the game, the Thunder are not quite getting the respect they deserve.

OKC Thunder are not getting the respect they deserve just yet from NBA 2k24 player ratings.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is only a 93 overall in the next 2k, after finishing 2k23 as a 94 overall and behind some names that he frankly had a better season than. However, overall, that is not an egregious mistake, especially factoring in the frequent roster updates throughout the NBA regular season. With Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey being heavily featured in the 2k24 promotional campaigns, their ratings will likely be juiced up sooner rather than later, along with the production they project to have on the court.

The real issue comes with Isaiah Joe. One of the league’s best sharpshooters a season ago, as he played the a majority of the 2022-23 campaign shooting 45 percent from distance, he eventually leveled off at a still eye-popping 40 percent from beyond the arc. Despite wanting to participate in the three-point contest, he was passed over by the NBA and was once again snubbed without the credit he deserves for his three-point prowess.

Isaiah Joe is one of the best three-point shooters in the entire NBA, and while other players have a more extended history of success from beyond the arc, his value from distance can not be discredited.

The biggest issue with 2k’s rating system is the fact they will not juice players like Isaiah Joe’s three-point rating to allow them to play true to life in their video game. Isaiah Joe’s prowess from beyond the arc is going to be tough to replicate with a sub-89 overall rating from three-point land.

Beyond just Isaiah Joe, the OKC Thunder still see a lack of respect to Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey, and Chet Holmgren. Though, that can all change with the aforementioned in-season roster updates.