In a leaked image, the NBA2K23 ratings for the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors starting fives’ were released. These were not the worst ratings, so kudos to NBA2K so far. However, NBA2k is just like the people who play the game. They aren’t perfect. Let’s look at the Celtics’ starting five and see if they hit on these ratings.
Jayson Tatum- 93 Overall
Jayson Tatum had his NBA2K23 overall officially released by the gaming company, but we learned this before the official release. The game did a good job on this one. The 24-year-old forward averaged 26.9 points per game last season and went toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant, Giannis Antenokounmpo, and Jimmy Butler. Tatum has been battling to enter the top echelon of players for a couple of seasons, and he is still outside of the club. With Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry being 96 ratings each, Tatum just below that level is fair. Well done by NBA2K. Tatum should be able to reach a 95 rating by the end of the year.
Jaylen Brown-87 Overall
Jaylen Brown might have been lowballed here by NBA2K23. Brown had a great playoff run and was the best player for Boston during the 2022 NBA Finals. Brown averaged 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 2021-2022. As for where he ranks in the league, an 87 is fair for the one-time all-star. However, when compared to his running mate, six points on the overall looks like a lot. If Jaylen Brown were an 89-90, that would be a good rating. 87 is a little low, but expect it to be a 91 at the end of the season.
Robert Williams- 85 Overall
Robert Williams jumped from his 79 overall last year to a mid 80’s overall. Williams averaged 1o points, 9.6 rebounds, and a staggering 2.2 blocks per game. This is a fair rating for the All-Defensive team, big man. Williams is primed for a Defensive Player of the Year-Caliber season and could end the year around 87 overall.
Al Horford- 82 Overall
This one is the first one that seems fair but could be lower. Al Horford had several classic playoff games and finally reached the NBA Finals, but he isn’t the same overall as our next guy. Horford can dunk on the Greek Freak and score 26 against the Warriors. However, he can be completely irrelevant in a game if his defense and three-ball aren’t going. An 82 is a good rating, but a 79-81 wouldn’t be bad either. Expect Horford to remain roughly the same as the season winds down.
Marcus Smart-82 Overall
The Defensive Player of the Year should not be the same rating as his aging Power Forward. Defense aside, Marcus Smart was the starting Point Guard on the best squad in the Eastern Conference. Several Point Guards came and went but could not get this core to the Finals, but Smart did. He averaged a career-high 5.9 Assists. Smart should start around an 84 and end the year at 86 with a full year with Point Guard duties.
Overall, NBA2K23 did a good job on the Celtics ratings so far.
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