Kevin Durant was quite upset when NBA 2K revealed the player ratings for NBA 2K23 over the last few days. After finding out that he was going to be a 96 overall, tied with other top stars like LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Stephen Curry, but behind 97 overall Giannis Antetokounmpo. KD believed he should be a 99 overall and expressed that on his Twitter.
Getting a 99 overall in NBA 2K games is not something that happens often. A player needs to be playing at a legendary and historic level to earn that number. KD is coming off a disappointing season where his Brooklyn Nets were swept in the first round of the 2022 playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Shannon Sharpe was quick to remind KD of that fact after hearing about KD’s objections to being a 96 overall. He also claimed repeatedly that Giannis is better than KD.
“Let me tell you why you’re not 99. 99 overall players don’t get swept in the first round. That’s why you’re not 99. And you can be 99, as long as Giannis is 100. Giannis is the best player in the NBA… Whatever rating you want to give Kevin Durant, as long as Giannis is higher than that, I’m cool with it… Kevin Durant wanna be 98, put him at 98. He wanna be 99, put him at 99. As long as Giannis is rated higher than everyone else, I don’t care.
https://twitter.com/undisputed/status/1567533750103248896
Is Kevin Durant Still The Best Player In The World?
We’ve seen many athletes have tough endings to a season, but that doesn’t mean their incredible skill and ability have disappeared. KD was in the conversation for this spot at the end of the 2021 season but seemed to have completely fallen off for many people.
The discussion for the best in the NBA this season has revolved around Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. People have made cases for Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic as well. It is impossible to call KD the best player in the world after what we saw from him last, even if his skill set is one of the most unique in the game.
Hopefully, Durant can prove his critics wrong and excel in the league at his age. The Nets can be dangerous if they can spend the season in harmony, and KD will be the head of the snake. Giannis, Steph, Jokic, and others all have to watch their back as Durant is going to come back with a vengeance.
