With the launch of NBA 2K25 this past week, fans have been discussing a lot of the elements of the game, such as player ratings and models. But it should be important to remind ourselves how far these games and these players have come.
Frank Michael Smith, a sports writer and YouTube creator, made a long thread on X that highlights some of the biggest jumps that players have seen in their overalls since their first appearance in the 2K series, and the latest edition, while also showing the improvement in the appearance of their game models.
LeBron James is the longest-tenured player in the NBA, entering his 22nd season. With his first appearance coming in NBA 2K4, he still had a decent-looking model, probably thanks to the massive hype he entered the league with. James had a rating of 78 in NBA 2K4, and In NBA 2K25, he’s rated at 95, just out of the top 5.
Whereas, Stephen Curry didn’t get a decent game model during his debut in NBA 2K10, where he had a 69 overall rating. Curry, despite being a top-10 pick, wasn’t expected to become the megastar he has. But after winning 4 NBA championships, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, and becoming a multiple-time All-Star, he earned a massive upgrade, getting rated at 97 in NBA 2K25.
Steph Curry
2k10: "Hey guys I'm Wardell"
2K25: "It's Chef Curry (4x NBA Champ) to you" pic.twitter.com/Rt4mdaP5QM
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of the biggest surprise stories. Entering the league in the 2014 NBA Draft, Giannis was a fairly slender big man who wasn’t expected to make waves, which is reflected in his 60 overall rating in NBA 2K14, Giannis has bulked up on his road to becoming a 2-time MVP, NBA champion, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the most dominant players in the league.
Nikola Jokic didn’t have a proper face scan when he made his debut in NBA 2K16. At just 68 overall, not much was expected from him. But after 9 years, where he has become a superstar, won three MVPs, an NBA championship, and a Finals MVP trophy, Jokic earned the spot as the highest-rated player in the game with a 97 overall.
Nikola Jokic
I get that the guy was drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, but come on 2K 😂
This one deserves a public apology pic.twitter.com/5vC4ulgafu
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
Jimmy Butler has one of the greatest underdog tales in the history of the NBA. Coming out of Marquette, Butler was a gritty player who many felt didn’t have a superstar ceiling. First appearing in NBA 2K13, Butler didn’t even get a face scan. But as a multi-time All-Star with multiple NBA Finals appearances under his belt, he has definitely earned his 89 rating in NBA 2K25.
As for his former teammate Joel Embiid, he benefitted from being part of NBA 2K14, which was the first game on the PS4/Xbox 1 generation. With a solid face scan and a 77 overall, Embiid was expected to be a star in the league. And while it took some time, he delivered on expectations, winning an MVP in his career, and is now one of the best players in the league, as his 96 overall rating suggests.
Joel Embiid
These images are a decade apart, and Embiid still hasn't made a Conference Final… pic.twitter.com/ZufN4gIpxb
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
Kevin Durant made his NBA 2K debut in 2K10, with a bad model and 82 overall. KD had high expectations placed on him, and he has delivered on them, winning 2 NBA championships and Finals MVPs, an MVP award, becoming a multiple-time All-Star, and one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NBA. His NBA 2K25 rating is 94.
Anthony Davis’ unique unibrow was captured well in his NBA 2K13 model, with a rating of 79. As a first-overall pick, AD was expected to achieve great things in the NBA, and he has delivered, becoming a multiple-time All-Star and an NBA champion. Still one of the best two-way players in the league, Davis has jumped to a rating of 94 in NBA 2K25.
Anthony Davis
AD went from "Yes Sir I'll have her home by 8" to "She calls me Daddy now" pic.twitter.com/Chu8TVIlCS
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
Chris Paul is one of the longest-tenured players in the NBA right now. However, he was only in NBA 2K10, as the series was on hiatus during the early years of his career. Paul is the first player in this series whose rating has fallen, going from a 94 in NBA 2K10 to an 81 in NBA 2K25.
As for James Harden, he first appeared in NBA 2K10, as a fresh-faced, beardless rookie. It might be one of the few times fans see him without his signature beard. With a rating of 76 in NBA 2K10, Harden has had an incredible career, winning an MVP and several scoring titles, and while he has declined in recent years, he still comes into NBA 2K25 with a rating of 84.
James Harden
The beard was the best move Harden made, both for his career and 2K character…
Why was his head so long? pic.twitter.com/57gwttDZfH
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
Everything about DeMar DeRozan’s NBA 2K10 appearance was unfortunate, from his poor model to his 64 overall rating. But in the years since, he has become a multiple-time All-Star and a consistent scorer. With a move to the Kings impending, fans can expect to use DeRozan’s 87 overall to light the beam in NBA 2K25.
And finally, Devin Booker is perhaps the only player in the league along with Joel Embiid to have their face scans accurately captured in their models, thanks to the technology available. Starting out in NBA 2K16 with a 72 overall, Booker has gotten an NBA Finals appearance under his belt, along with multiple All-Star appearances to earn his 93 rating on NBA 2K25.
Devin Booker
Book had a fling with Kendall Jenner and never looked back… pic.twitter.com/MavmWR5SuN
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) September 11, 2024
It is always fascinating to take these journeys into the past and see how far things have come. Some of these players got their start in the NBA when 2K didn’t have the resources to properly capture their likeness. But this isn’t just related to the NBA 2K models and graphics, and how the technology has improved in the last few years.
All the players mentioned above, regardless of the expectations on them, have gone on to achieve great things in their careers and establish themselves as some of the best players in the NBA at one point in their careers. It will be interesting to see which players will take a drastic jump in the next edition of NBA 2K.
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