Portland Trail Blazers: Predicting 2017-18 player ratings in NBA 2K18

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 22: Players of the Portland Trail Blazers stand for the national anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 22, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images /

Point Guards

Damian Lillard: 89 (-1)

Shabazz Napier: 72 (0)

Damian Lillard is the only Blazer to have his rating disclosed so far. He had his best season in 2016-17, averaging 27.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. He started 2K17 with an 89 rating, but his production bumped him up to a 90 by the final roster update.

Unfortunately, Lillard will return to an 89 upon 2K18’s release. It seems that developer Visual Concepts wants him to prove again that he’s good enough to be on that higher tier.

That reality bothered some fans. However, Lillard was okay with the rating, believing (erroneously) that it was higher than last season. He stated in his Instagram video that 2K ratings don’t affect what’s on the court, so he doesn’t let them bother him. He doubled down on that the next day via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard/status/887406392209940480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blazersedge.com%2F2017%2F7%2F19%2F16001002%2Fnba-2k18-ratings-news-nba2k18-2k-damian-lillard-kyrie-irving-towns-thomas

Lillard will have a big presence in 2K18 with two of his rap tracks featured in the game. His song “Wasatch Front” from his 2016 debut album “The Letter O” will be on the soundtrack. Another track, “Shot Clock”, will be unlockable via the MyPLAYER career mode.

Meanwhile, Napier’s 512 minutes in 2016-17 were the fewest played in his career. This was because Lillard normally plays heavy minutes and C.J. McCollum was often used as the backup point guard.

However, it was still his best year in his three-year career. Napier had a career-high PER (13.6) and win shares (0.6). He also averaged a career-high 15.3 points per 36 minutes. His lack of playing time coupled with his improvement may have his rating hold form heading into 2K18.

Home/Portland Trail Blazers