5th place – Russell Westbrook
As a top-five player in the NBA, it goes without saying that Russell Westbrook makes an appearance in the top five for 2K17. Possessing more athleticism than any point guard we’ve seen and arguably more than anyone in the league right now altogether, Westbrook gets a lot of ratings boosts from his physical prowess before even considering the talent.
And then there’s everything that his physical prowess and furious motor allows him to do on the court. With an astounding league-best 18 triple-doubles last season, resulting in averages of 23.5 points and career-highs of 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, Westbrook was easily worthy of the often overused “beast” descriptor.
As the best rebounding guard in the world, an improved playmaker, terrorizing transition threat and quick trigger pull-up shooter from mid-range, he’s too entertaining to play with in 2K and simply too good in various aspects of the game to not rank ahead of those below him on this list.
Of course, there are weaknesses. Westbrook shot 29.6 percent from three last season, which is far from ideal in today’s NBA and certainly less than ideal for someone who attempted 4.3 per game. His defense and gambles for steals, not to mention the shot selection that frustrates Thunder fans at times, are also issues.
However, for the obvious way he can take over a game single-handedly with such explosive authority, there’s no way his overall rating can’t reflect that with a top-five standing in the game.
Though, rating as a 93 overall, exactly the same as his former teammate Kevin Durant, is something I’d question. As this list will indicate.