With just a few days until the official release of "NBA 2K18," publisher 2K Sports has revealed the top-rated players for the game and broken down the Overall numbers by position. There are some notable changes from the way players were ranked at the conclusion of last season.
LeBron James again leads the way with an Overall Rating of 97. He's been all alone at the top of the ratings for a number of years but briefly ceded way for the distinction to go to Stephen Curry during a stretch of the 2015-16 season.
Last year's MVP, Russell Westbrook, has actually fallen two points to 94 Overall from where he finished last season. Only two of the other 49 players have lost that many points from their previous rating, and being at the top of the scale makes his drop by far the most dramatic out of everyone.
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"NBA 2K18" top point guard ratings
Russell Westbrook, Thunder — 94
Stephen Curry, Warriors — 94
Chris Paul, Rockets — 91
Kyrie Irving, Celtics — 90
John Wall, Wizards — 90
Isaiah Thomas, Cavaliers — 89
Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers — 89
Kyle Lowry, Raptors — 87
Mike Conley, Grizzlies — 87
Kemba Walker, Hornets — 86
"NBA 2K18" shooting guard ratings
James Harden, Rockets — 95
Jimmy Butler, Timberwolves — 90
Klay Thompson, Warriors — 90
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors — 89
Bradley Beal, Wizards — 87
C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers — 86
Devin Booker, Suns — 85
Avery Bradley, Pistons — 83
Dwyane Wade, Bulls — 82
Khris Middleton, Bucks — 81
"NBA 2K18" top small forward ratings
LeBron James, Cavaliers — 97
Kevin Durant, Warriors — 96
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs — 95
Paul George, Thunder — 91
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks — 91
Gordon Hayward, Celtics — 88
Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves — 86
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks — 84
Harrison Barnes, Mavericks — 81
Danilo Gallinari, Clippers — 81
"NBA 2K18" top power forward ratings
Anthony Davis, Pelicans — 94
Draymond Green, Warriors — 88
Blake Griffin, Clippers — 87
Kevin Love, Cavaliers — 87
Paul Millsap, Nuggets — 87
Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks — 86
LaMarcus Aldridge, Spurs — 85
Jabari Parker, Bucks — 81
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks — 80
Zach Randolph, Kings — 80
"NBA 2K18" top center ratings
DeMarcus Cousins, Pelicans — 92
Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves — 91
Marc Gasol, Grizzlies — 89
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets — 88
Rudy Gobert, Jazz — 88
Hassan Whiteside, Heat — 87
DeAndre Jordan, Clippers — 87
Joel Embiid, Sixers — 86
Andre Drummond, Pistons — 85
Myles Turner, Pacers — 84
Paul Millsap received the biggest boost from last season by rising three points. Moving up two points are Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Devin Booker and Avery Bradley.
Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jabari Parker were each downgraded by two points. Curry, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are among the players who dropped by a single point.
The Warriors naturally lead the way with the most players in the top 10 at their position with four total (Curry, Thompson, Durant and Green). To no one's surprise, the Cavaliers are next in line with three (Thomas, James and Love), but there are a couple up-and-coming teams also tied with that number. The Timberwolves (Butler, Wiggins and Towns) and Bucks (Middleton, Antetokounmpo and Parker) also each have three. Only the Lakers, Nets, Hawks and Magic lack a player in the top 10 at any position.
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"NBA 2K18" will let you play through a story as a general manager, joining its other story-based mode which is centered on being a player, and introduces 17 new classic teams and 30 all-time teams. The game will release Friday to those who preorder. Shaquille O'Neal is featured on the two pricey special editions of the game, which will be sold for $150 and $100, respectively.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter@Pastapadre.