Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. recently found himself at the center of a heated debate following the release of his NBA 2K25 player rating. The popular video game franchise revealed Porter’s overall rating, placing him at No. 67 among the Top 100 players, with a rating of 83. This ranking has stirred controversy among fans and even elicited a response from Porter’s teammate, Aaron Gordon, who publicly stated that Porter was lowballed by the game’s developers.
As the NBA 2K25 release date of September 6th approaches, the game’s developers have been unveiling the rankings and ratings of the league’s top players. On Tuesday, the game revealed the players ranked No. 51 to 70, with Minnesota Timberwolves star center Rudy Gobert headlining the list at No. 51. Other notable players include Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal at No. 52 and LA Clippers guard James Harden at No. 58. However, it was Michael Porter Jr.’s placement at No. 67, with an unchanged rating of 83, that caught the most attention.
Porter wasn’t the only Nuggets player featured in this segment of the rankings. Aaron Gordon, who played a crucial role in Denver’s success last season, was placed slightly higher at No. 61, with an overall rating of 84. Despite Gordon’s own solid rating, he was quick to defend his teammate, taking to social media to express his dissatisfaction with Porter’s ranking.
Let’s keep the #NBA2KTop100 going with 20 more players 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qsQbhIFy7y
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 20, 2024
Following the release of the ratings, @NuggetsLead on X (formerly Twitter) asked Denver fans to share their thoughts on Michael Porter Jr.’s placement among the Top 100 players. Aaron Gordon was among those who weighed in, succinctly stating that his teammate’s rating was “too low.” This sentiment was echoed by numerous Nuggets fans, many of whom argued that Porter’s overall rating should have been in the 85 to 87 range, placing him higher on the list.
Too low https://t.co/jE1TYkJLio
— Aaron Gordon (@Double0AG) August 20, 2024
One fan, @TylerRobertKey, expressed his opinion, saying, “Feels a tad bit low. I’d go 85 overall and/or closer to 50-55th in the league. At the same time, 2K ratings are always trash.” Another fan, @Kush6xi, added, “85-87 would’ve been better/more accurate, IMO.” Meanwhile, @MileHighAvenu_E confidently stated, “He’s an 86 or 87, IMO, not even being biased.”
The debate extended beyond just Porter’s rating, with some fans even questioning the ranking order between Porter and Gordon. One fan, @Freshnuggies, commented, “AG was higher, and that’s not ok,” suggesting that Porter should have been ranked above Gordon. However, it remains unclear whether Gordon himself believes that Porter should have been placed ahead of him.
The discussion around Michael Porter Jr.’s NBA 2K25 rating has led to speculation about why the talented forward was not rated higher, especially considering his contributions to the Denver Nuggets last season. Porter is coming off another strong year as the team’s No. 3 scoring option, behind superstar center Nikola Jokic and star point guard Jamal Murray.
During the 2022-2023 NBA season, Porter played in 81 games and averaged 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.7 3-pointers per game. He also maintained impressive shooting percentages, hitting 48.4% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the arc. These statistics underscore Porter’s value as a scoring and shooting threat for the Nuggets.
However, there are several factors that may have contributed to Porter’s modest rating in NBA 2K25. Despite his strong individual performance, the Nuggets were unable to defend their 2023 NBA title, suffering a surprising upset in the second round of the playoffs at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The seven-game series loss was a major disappointment for the defending champions, and it may have negatively impacted how the game’s developers viewed the team’s players.
In addition to the team’s playoff struggles, Porter’s lack of versatility outside of scoring and shooting could have played a role in his stagnant rating. While Porter excels in putting points on the board, he has been criticized for not contributing as much in other areas, such as playmaking and defense. This perceived one-dimensionality may have led to his overall rating remaining at 83, despite his solid performance last season.
Interestingly, the Nuggets’ playoff shortcomings did not seem to affect the ratings of the team’s top stars, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. NBA 2K25 ranked Jokic as the No. 1 player in the game, with an overall rating of 98, while Murray was placed at No. 28, with a rating of 89. These ratings highlight the disparity between how the game’s developers view Porter compared to his more heralded teammates.
The controversy surrounding Michael Porter Jr.’s NBA 2K25 rating sheds light on the often subjective nature of player evaluations in video games. While Porter’s rating may seem low to his fans and teammates, it reflects the developers’ assessment of his all-around game and the Nuggets’ overall performance last season. However, the outpouring of support for Porter demonstrates the high regard in which he is held by those who watch him play regularly.
As the NBA 2K franchise continues to grow in influence, player ratings have become a point of pride and contention for athletes and fans alike. For Michael Porter Jr., his current rating may serve as motivation to elevate his game even further in the upcoming season, proving that he deserves to be ranked among the NBA’s elite.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on Michael Porter Jr. as he looks to make his mark in the 2023-2024 NBA season and potentially earn a higher rating in the next edition of NBA 2K.
Comments