The NBA season is reaching it's quarter-way point, and the league is starting to take form. James Harden and the Houston Rockets have been incredible in the Western Conference, with the Golden State Warriors right behind them. In the East, the Boston Celtics rattled off 16 straight wins but the Cleveland Cavaliers have rebounded from a slow start with a win streak of their own.
As the standings are starting to take shape, so are the players ranking in the 2017-2018 NBA season. Here are the top ten (technically eleven) players in the league according to NBA 2K18, as of December 2, 2017.
10. Tied: Chris Paul, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kawhi Leonard (91)
Both Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard players have struggled with injuries this season, so they still have a chance to improve their ratings as the season goes on. Paul is averaging 11.1 points per game and 10.3 assists per game seven games into his young Rockets career. Using Paul in 2K is a great way to run an offense. His passing abilities are unmatched, and he can both drive and shoot at high rates in the game.
Leonard is a great all-around player, but his 91 rating is markably lower than four other forwards on this list. He hasn't played this season, so once he hits the court he can easily increase his rating with some strong play.
Kristaps Porzingis is rising to stardom for the New York Knicks, rising into the top ten at only 22 years old. His post game is dominant in 2K and he's the 2nd highest rated true power forward in the league.
8. Russell Westbrook (92)
Russell Westbrook is rated a 92 after his MVP season last year. This is a two point decrease from his starting rating of 94 for the season, as he hasn't been quite as spectacular for the sub .500 Oklahoma City Thunder this season.
7. DeMarcus Cousins (93)
The longtime Sacremento Kings bigman has been incredible for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, and has his increased his preseason 92 rating to a 93. He's averaging 25.0 points and 12.5 rebounds a game this season, and is the highest rated center in the league.
But he's not even the highest rated player on his team, or even frontcourt.
6. Anthony Davis (94)
Alongside Cousins, Anthony Davis has averaged an eye-popping 25.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. He's stayed at a consistent 94 rating all season long. Playing as the Pelicans means destroying most other NBA teams in the post with these elite bigmen.
5. Tied: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, James Harden (95)
These three players are dominating the league, and entering the MVP conservation as a result. They all have different games: Curry's a pure shooter or can get tricky in the lane, Harden looks to create shots and drive hard for layups, and Antetokounmpo has been dubbed a mini-LeBron who can do a little bit of everything.
Curry has increased his rating from a 94 to a 95 so far this season, Harden started at 95 and came back after sustaining a slight dip, but Antetokounmpo rose all the way from 91 to 95. For the Bucks, he's averaging 29.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, in the thick of the MVP race in the early season.
2. Kevin Durant (96)
Last year's NBA Finals MVP for the Golden State Warriors comes in at number two with a 96 rating, which he has held all season long.
Using Durant in 2K feels like a cheat code: he's tall, fast, can shoot, and make driving dunks over his players. Add in his defense and he really has the complete package. Of course, all that and more can also be said about the player that's just slightly ahead of him.
1. LeBron James (97)
Realistically, LeBron James will eventually slide down and "only" be the second or third best player in the NBA. But for the past decade, James has been the best player in the game and it really hasn't been close. The King comes in at the top spot, with a 97 rating he's held all year so far.
Using James can feel unfair at times in 2K18, as he can blow past defenders and elite defense that would normally alter shots. James just hammers it down or puts it up over them with ease.
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