Since November 10th, 1999, NBA 2K has been among the most popular basketball video games. Its next-level gameplay and graphics immediately caught the gaming community's attention.
The 2K developers knew how to catch the casual eye as well. Allen Iverson, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant are a few of the Hall of Fame greats who have graced the cover of 2K over the years, adding appeal or aura to the game.
However, this is not about the aesthetically pleasing covers. It's about the ongoing disrespect toward the Miami Heat star duo in NBA 2K. This matter needs to be addressed. Jimmy Butler is slated to be an 89 in NBA 2K25, and Bam Adebayo clocks in at an 88.
NBA 2K25's latest player ratings underrate the Miami Heat's star duo. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo should both be rated higher.
Butler's rating dropped significantly after being listed as a 95 in 2K24. This was a player who had just come off a remarkable playoff run, averaging 27 points, seven boards, and six assists. His brilliant play led the Heat to the NBA Finals.
After a stellar 2023 playoff performance, Butler's 95 rating in 2K was certainly warranted. He had just outshone the likes of Giannis Antetoumpo (97 in 2K25), Jalen Brunson (93), Jaylen Brown (92) and Jayson Tatum (95). Butler couldn't replicate this playoff run due to injuries, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 playoffs. This underscores the need for a rating system that takes into account a player's overall performance, not just their availability or how his team performs.
Since Jimmy was hurt in the playoffs, his rating must've gone down due to his lackadaisical play in the regular season, right? That's a good guess, but nope. You could argue Jimmy had a better regular season this year when discussing 2K ratings.
Butler has never graded out as a high 3-point shooter. He's usually at about a 70-75 clip on 2K. Before the 2023-24 regular season, Butler had never shot over 40% from three. But he did last year, shooting 41% on limited volume. That uptick in shooting should've increased his outside scoring metrics on 2K enough to at least keep Butler at a 90 overall.
Sure, it's just one rating off, but the 90 club is special, and Butler was about the same last year as he was this year. He played 60 regular season games in '24 and 64 in '23. He just didn't have a chance to prove his dominance in the playoffs.
Butler is in a contract year, and the Heat are finally entering a season healthy (knock on wood). Look for Butler's 2K rating to finish the season at 90+.
I'm baffled that Bam Adebayo wasn't the Heat's highest-rated player in 2K25. We're officially in the Bam Adebayo era in South Beach, and the ratings should reflect that.
Whether Bam is above or below Jimmy is inconsequential in the long run, but at the minimum, Bam should be a 90 overall, too. It's a special club to which Bam belongs.
Adebayo finished last season at an 88. Is 2K really implying Bam didn't get better at all? 2K should've marginally upped everything he was already good at. He was already an elite defender, but Bam had his best defensive season award-wise. He was finally selected for first-team All-Defense. Awards aren't the end all be all, but Bam anchored Miami to its highest defensive-rated season in the Bam era.
Bam developed a three-point shot a season ago. He took the training wheels off when he knocked down that game-winner in Detroit, which sent Midwesters into a frenzy. Many couldn't believe that the big man who hadn't attempted a three all game drained a big one to crush their hearts.
Those fans in Detroit were privy to the beginning of Bam's confident stroke. He ended the season shooting 45% from three after the All-Star break. 2K probably thought the volume was too low to up his 3-point rating, but they'll see this year. Bam's 3-point rating was an F in 2K24 -- watch him climb up to the C+ range by April.
Shooting was his only deficiency when talking 2K. He's faster than other bigs, dunks everything thrown to him, locks up every position, makes midranges, handles better than most bigs, and is a menace on the boards. All of that, plus the improved deep ball, should've been good enough for at least a 90. It's fine, though. Adebayo will wake up the snoozers like he always does.
