Nearly a month has passed since the good folks at NBA 2K19 assigned ratings to last season’s trio of highly impressive rookies. Philly’s Ben Simmons, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Boston’s Jayson Tatum were given the same rating in the game and, even if that feels like cheating at this juncture, it can also make a ton of sense given the debate raging as to which player is best, both for now and the future.
With that as the backdrop, the aforementioned rating (87 overall) serves as something of a baseline in some respects and, on Monday evening, Detroit Pistons big man Blake Griffin was given his mark from those at 2K Sports. Considering Griffin is a former Rookie of the Year and a four-time member of the All-NBA teams, most would have anticipated him coming in at least at or above that group, even with the injury issues he’s faced in recent years.
Instead, Griffin found himself just behind that trio and he doesn’t seem particularly thrilled with it based off his “…” tweet on Monday night.
…@NBA2K @Ronnie2K #NBA2K19 pic.twitter.com/njybhf4qVG
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) August 14, 2018
It should be noted that an 86 overall rating isn’t a slap in the face or anything, as Charlotte’s Kemba Walker was already given the same mark. Still, something feels odd about an established All-Star on Griffin’s level trailing a trio of soon-to-be sophomores. Beyond that, Griffin isn’t the highest rated player on the Pistons roster, with Andre Drummond garnering an 87 earlier in the process.
On the bright side, Griffin appears ready to enter the season healthy and, in a short period of time last season, he was very effective (averaging 20, 7 and 6) as a member of the Pistons. If the former No. 1 overall pick can string together a full season at maximum capacity, it feels like a slam dunk that his rating will be higher next time around but, in the meantime, he might just join the ranks of the numerous players less than thrilled with how they were evaluated in the preseason.
