The NBA is more plugged in with the video game industry and its innovations more than ever and that has shown over the past few years with NBA 2K, a franchise that has revolutionized the realism and attention to detail in every player and his likeness — making it at times one of the focal points of the NBA offseason.
This game has gotten from the cover athletes to other known stars to zone in to their performance in the video game, always wanting the best possible rating to substantiate their ego.
“Honestly, two of our biggest gripers in terms of rating have been our last two cover athletes in the year that they were on the cover,” Ronnie Singh, 2K Sports’ digital marketing director told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “There’s video of Kyrie finding out his 90 rating this year and he wasn’t happy.”
“Last year, (Paul George) was an 89. Really, there’s very little difference between an 89 and a 90. But it’s about perception, and it means a lot to guys because it’s a round number and some guys view the 90s as the top tier. When PG found out he was an 89, he was like, ‘I don’t understand…’ Both Kyrie and PG asked, ‘Doesn’t being the cover athlete give us a bump? Shouldn’t we be higher?’ That didn’t stop them from being extremely cooperative and loving the game, but we did hear from those guys.”
But one to definite flip the lid upon feeling underestimated was Miami Heat shooting guard Dion Waiters, who felt robbed with an initial 83 rating in NBA 2K17.
“We get a lot of private messages from guys that are pretty harsh,” Singh said. “Last year, for example, Dion Waiters flipped out about his rating – and his rating was pretty good too. I want to say he was rated an 83 at the beginning of last year and, while he ended up having an excellent year, it felt fair at the time. He was just livid, though.”
Most NBA athletes are very competitive and are able to survive in the league with their work ethic and a massive ego that always maintains them on top of their game and striving to get better. Waiters wasn't getting any of his “Philly Cheese Swag” in a rating of 83 and he went straight to the DMs to give his two cents on the matter.
He's now made strides on his checkbook after one season in South Beach, netting a four-year, $52 million contract to solidify his status as a rising star in the game.
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