With the new 2K ratings revealed lately, there has been a lot of talk about the rating system. 2K22 will feature four players in a tie for the highest rating of 96: Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. However, even these superstars haven't reached the elusive 99 overall in-game.
While there may be no 99 overall active players in 2K22, there have been past players who have achieved that benchmark while being active. Instagram account simpsonsmallville has shared an ESPN graphic featuring some all-time greats who have been given a 99 overall while still active in the past.
The active players featured on this graphic are LeBron James and Chris Paul, who are both still playing at a high level. Some Hall of Famers are listed as well, with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant all getting 99 ratings, and Shaquille O'Neal notably being the only player ever to get a 100 overall.
All of these players were certainly deserving of the 99+ rating. For example, Shaquille O'Neal got his 100 overall during 2K2, which was released during 2001, right at the peak of his prime. The same could be said for all players on this list, and those ratings were given to them during their primes when they were extremely dominant.
Some of the players today may have a case to get a 99 rating, the last time that 2K gave a player a 99 rating was during 2K14. LeBron James earned that rating during the 2012-13 season, and there is no question that he had a top-tier season. However, it does look as though 2K has moved away from giving players 99 overalls. That won't change in 2K22 either, but perhaps we could see a player earn that 99 overall in the future.
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