Why Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s league-high NBA 2K rating is still too low

As a die-hard Dallas Mavericks fan who has been following Luka Doncic since his teenage years in Europe, I firmly believe that the young phenom deserves more than a 97 overall rating in NBA 2K25. While I appreciate the game’s creators for recognizing Doncic’s immense talent, I feel they may have underestimated his true potential on the court.


As a die-hard basketball enthusiast, I’d say it’s Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo who reign supreme in NBA 2K25 with a staggering 97 overall ratings. However, is the 2K rating an infallible measure of a player’s on-court prowess? Not quite, but it certainly serves as a reliable benchmark.

Luka Dončić is the 2nd highest rated player in #NBA2K25 at 97 OVR! @luka7doncic | #NBA2KTop100

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 26, 2024

Luka Doncic had an impressive run during the 2023-24 season, leading the Dallas Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals. In addition, he came in third for the MVP award, suggesting that with a little more effort, he might have placed second or even won it altogether.

In the 2023-24 season, the five-time NBA All-Star consistently scored an impressive league high of 33.9 points per game. He also managed to hit 48.7% of his field goals and 38.2% of his three-point attempts. On top of that, Doncic provided 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds each game, and demonstrated noticeable progress in his defensive skills.

Despite facing criticism for his defensive skills during the NBA Finals, it’s important to note that Luka Doncic had been dealing with injuries following a lengthy season. Remarkably, despite this critique, he managed to enhance his defensive abilities in the previous season.

As a diehard basketball enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder: Among all players, Jokic holds the top spot with exceptional attributes, followed closely by Doncic in second place and Antetokounmpo in third. But here’s where things get interesting – could Doncic’s overall rating be bumped up even more, perhaps to a 98?

Does Luka Doncic deserve a 98 or 99 overall NBA 2K25 rating?

Why Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s league-high NBA 2K rating is still too low

In NBA 2K games, it’s quite rare to see 98 or 99 overall ratings given out; these high ratings are typically reserved for basketball legends like Michael Jordan. Current players usually don’t receive a 99 rating unless they’re clearly the top player in the league, such as LeBron James who has earned this exceptional rating on occasion.

In basketball, Luka Doncic is often described as a versatile scorer who excels from multiple positions on the court. His scoring skills are generally well-respected, with his outside shooting receiving a score of 92 out of 100, and an 86 for his play inside the paint. Additionally, his exceptional playmaking abilities, which make him one of the top passers in the NBA, have been rated at an impressive 94 overall, according to 2kratings.com.

Luka Doncic’s rebounding ability is rated at 77 overall. Known as one of the top rebounding guards in the NBA, he consistently averaged 9.2 rebounds per game last season, showcasing his exceptional skills. His keen awareness allows him to predict where missed shots will land. Standing at 6’7, Doncic leverages his size to outmaneuver defenders and secure rebounds effectively.

It could be pointed out that Luka’s rebound average might be greater. Yet, when it comes to defensive ratings, Doncic’s difference between 97, 98, and 99 scores is primarily due to his defensive abilities.

Doncic’s defensive rating in the game

Luka Doncic’s defensive performance during the game may not be outright terrible, but his overall defensive rating of 68 suggests he’s not an exceptional defender by any means.

Luka Doncic is far from a top-tier defensive player at this point. However, it’s worth noting that he’s put in considerable effort to enhance his defensive skills. Nevertheless, a significant boost in his NBA 2K25 rating won’t happen until his defense shows even greater improvement.

It’s important to note that we’re not making any comparisons here, but for the record, Michael Jordan, a legendary Chicago Bulls player, has an 88 overall defensive rating in the game. On the other hand, LeBron James, when playing as an all-time great for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was given a 99 overall rating, and his defense is rated at 84 overall.

It’s possible that boosting Doncic’s defensive skills to around 75-80 could elevate his overall rating in the game to 98.

Ultimately, NBA 2K player ratings make for engaging conversation. However, it’s unlikely that Doncic spends much time pondering his rating himself. Instead, he’s dedicated to guiding the Mavs towards another appearance in the NBA Finals.

Do you think Luka Doncic should be rated higher in NBA 2K25?

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2024-08-26 21:38